Choosing the Right Pet

Pets are more popular than ever. The Human Society of the United States estimates that approximately 62 percent of all US households include at least one pet. With the popularity of pets at an all time high, it is important for potential pet owners to take care in choosing the right one. Choosing the right pet can assure a long lasting relationship that benefits both pet and owner.

When considering the type of pet to bring into your home, first consider your lifestyle. Will someone be home during the day to provide companionship? Is your family looking for a pet that can travel with you, or one that will be all right for day or two alone? Animals require varying levels of time commitments and it is important to be realistic about how much time your family has to give, and how that might change in the future.

If you aren’t sure, try a time test prior to deciding on a pet. Consider all of the things you would need to do for your pet in a given week and write them down. Be sure to consider how the pet will affect all aspects of your life, such as adding extra time to your cleaning schedule to account for pet hair, or finding a pet sitter for a night away from home. Then, operate for two weeks as if you are doing these things with an imaginary pet. Come home to let the dog out on time every day, or set aside time to clean a cage or litter box a few times per week. See how realistic it is for you to accomplish these things with your current commitments.

The idea behind the time test is that, in the beginning, everyone in the family will be excited about the new pet and willing to help, but these feelings eventually wear off. If you can’t reasonably sustain the schedule for two weeks without the excitement of the new pet in your home, consider whether you will be able to sustain it for the many years of the pet’s life, after the excitement has worn off.

To choose the right pet, it is also important to consider why you are longing for one. If you want companionship, look for pets that return affection. Dogs, cats, guinea pigs and birds are affectionate pets. Observational pets will not return affection. They are of interest to people who like to watch their pets, but not necessarily handle them. Popular observational pets include lizards, frogs, turtles and fish.

Once you have determined your time commitment and reasoning, think about the space you have available for a pet. An ideal environment for a large dog includes a fenced yard, space for a kennel and an outdoor area that is appropriate to relieve itself. Small dogs need significantly less space, but regular outdoor access is necessary in either case.

Cats require less space and can live entirely indoors. Some animals require more space as they grow, such as snakes and lizards. Be sure to take into account the future needs of your growing pet before deciding to bring it home.

Beloved pets are often surrendered to shelters because the owner failed to properly anticipate the costs associated with raising the pet. It is not possible to predict exactly how much an animal might cost its owner. However, you should have a good idea of how much you will be spending on food, boarding and basic veterinary care, and be confident you can meet those obligations before adopting a pet.

Finally, fully research the life span of the pet to understand the commitment. Some animals live only a few years, while others can live decades. If you aren’t ready to commit to an animal for its life, you shouldn’t adopt it.

Pets can bring joy, love, companionship and a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of all living things. Carefully considering your pet choice before adopting will ensure that you are able to fully enjoy all of the positive experiences a pet will bring to your home.