How to Choose the Right Pet for Your Family

24 Aug How to Choose the Right Pet for Your Family

Pets give us joy and affection, but they also require a lot of time and dedication. This is why you should carefully think and plan before getting one. Here are some basic criteria that will show you how to choose the right pet for your family.

What Lifestyle Do You Have?

Some animals require more attention and care than others. You should consider whether your pet is compatible with you and your schedule. For example, do you travel a lot, or spend many hours at work, or generally have a busy schedule? Then you should get a pet that requires low maintenance, such as fish, birds, hamsters, or reptiles. Dogs require the most attention and really hate being left alone for long stretches of time.

Also, if you’re a less active person, look for a companion that likes to lounge around all day, as there are some breeds that require a lot more exercise than others.

Take into account that different species or breeds of animals have different life expectancies. Some larger birds or reptiles can live up to 100 years, while hamsters can live just a few years. Make sure you can make such a commitment before buying or adopting your animal.

If you also have other pets, make sure that they can adjust living with each other and that they have enough space.

Keep the Age of Your Children in Mind

If you have children, you have to take into account their age. Younger children should have a pet that does not require a lot of care, and that does not pose a threat to their health and safety (almost all reptiles can give you salmonella). Your kids should be no younger than 5 or 6 years old, as they can mistake animals for toys and try to play ruff with them.

Older children can care for the pets themselves, and thus you can get a dog, cat, or rabbit. You can get younger pets, as they can get used to the child being their owner or older dogs or cats that are docile and used around children. The breed also counts, as some are more prone to aggressive or unpredictable behavior.

Evaluate Your Home

Your living accommodation is a big factor when deciding how to choose the right pet for your family. Some animals require more space than others. If you live in a small apartment, you should opt for smaller animals, and houses with lots of outdoor space are appropriate for big ones. Also, think about what space you can provide for them during the wintertime. Do you think you can keep the pet in your house during the colder months, or make an insulated space for them outside?

Also, take into account the apartment guidelines and see which pets are accepted or if your landlord allows any pets at all.

Check Your Budget

Pets incur several cots, such as food, vet checkups, toys, treatments, shampoos, cages, water filters, and other things depending on the specific needs of your pet. Make some estimates about how much your pet would need, and see if you can afford to have that sum of money subtracted from your total expenses for the month. Some animals necessitate more food than others, or have special requirements, some breeds need to be taken to trims more often, etc., so make sure you also consider these expenses.

Carefully consider what pet you want to bring home. We hope that the tips presented here will show you how to choose the right pet for your family.