The first decision you have to make before getting any kind of pet is which one would be right for your home and your family. Should it be a cat, a dog, rabbits, birds, fish, snakes or something more exotic like a ferret? There surely is a large variety of animals you can choose from.
Today we are going to be focusing on our suggestions to cats and dogs since these two animals are the most common pets with 50% of homes owning a dog and 40% owning a cat according to a recent study.
If you are having trouble deciding which pet is the best for you then make sure to keep reading and find out all about our tips on choosing the pet.
Breed
The most important factor when choosing a pet is what kind of breed will it be, no matter if it is a cat or a dog. Both cats and dogs come in all shapes and sizes as well as personalities, grooming needs, and energy levels. You will need to consider all of these things when deciding which type of pet and whether you are interested in a purebred pet from a professional breeder or a rescue pet from the shelter.
Age
Once you have decided the breed of the dog or cat, the next big question is whether you should get a kitten/puppy, an adult pet or even a senior pet. There are a lot of pros and cons to consider. Puppies are a lot of fun but they need a lot of work. Seniors are usually very calm, well-behaved and are great companions, but they could have existing medical issues. Before choosing, make sure you make a good comparison between all the pros and cons of each pet age group.
If you are interested in getting a new pet for your home, but still can’t decide what you want to get then we recommend you check out petzlover.com to find all the pets up for adoption near your area.
Family
It is very important that all the members of your family will agree to the decision to bring a new pet to your home. The whole family will be interacting with the pet, this is why it is important all of them know your new rules considering the pet. It will be counter-productive if the mom feeds the dog while sitting on the table while dad is trying to teach it not to beg. It is also important to discuss the responsibilities of this new pet. Who will feed the pet, who is going to take it on walks, who is going to train him, etc.
You should also consider checking yourself and your family for any animal allergies before fostering your new pet.
Cost
Before adopting your new pet you must consider all the costs associated with pets. Your new pet will require regular veterinary visits and at least one annual check-up. And if they develop any serious medical issues, treating these issues may prove very expensive. If you have a long-haired cat or dog it may require trips to a groomer which is an additional expense. Or you can grab a pair of pet grooming clippers, see the best picks by Oohlalapets.com, and take care of your doggies fur.
Before you jump head-on and get yourself a new pet, make sure you keep in mind all the tips we mentioned in our small guide.