How to Choose the Ideal Pet

Pets can bring joy to life, or they can cause so much stress that you swear you'll never have another one. As a child my parents were lenient in how many animals we had running around outside, so long as they were taken care of: 13 pets? No problem, as long as the dog poop was picked up daily so our yard did not become a mine field. Most families and individuals though are not quite so unique, so I've put together a group of tips that will help you decide which pet is ideal for your lifestyle.

1. Allergies

If anyone in the household is allergic to dogs, cats, or all things furry, consider a low-shedding dog, fish, or amphibian. Fish and amphibians/reptiles aren't exactly "cuddly" but do offer some entertainment value.

2. Start Small

Do fish die as soon as you get them home? Unless they are feeder goldfish, this shouldn't be happening. Make sure you understand the commitment and responsibility of an animal: if you can't remember to feed your fish, you're most likely not ready for the responsibility of a larger animals. If you have children, starting off with fish is a great idea.

3. Individual, Family, Young Children: Research the Animal

If you're looking to purchase a dog, make sure you research it's temperament. Small dogs like chihuahuas and pomeranians are often frightened of loud children who mean well, so consider this if you are looking to get a dog. Dalmations are known for disliking children, so although "101 Dalmations" is a great kids movie, make sure you understand the difference of attitudes of each dog. Labs and Retrievers are such popular dogs because they make great family pets. Canines like German Shepherds are much better for individuals who are living alone and are looking for a loyal companion who also will guard them. Cats work well in almost any household simply because they can entertain themselves, need minimal amount of upkeep compared to a dog, and seem to be able to hide if they recognize a child is going to pull its' tail. Something like a leopard gecko offers the interesting aspect of having a little amphibian, but unlike most geckos can not climb the walls of the cage, and thus made ideal pets for younger children who forget to put the lid on.

4. Time Management

Having the proper amount of time is necessary for any animal that requires being trained. A puppy is going to take much more time in the first two years than an older dog which you can adopt from the humane society. Something like a gecko takes very little time at all except to feed several times a week, water daily, and clean the cage when necessary. A horse takes a huge amount of time, and jumping right into having such a large animal is not the ideal approach to learning how to take care of a pet. Write down exactly how much time each day you will be able to spend with your pet. If you don't have a large yard, you'll need to take your dog on walks, etc.

5. Space

If you have a huge yard, you can have basically any animal, where as if you live in a tiny city apartment, the biggest thing you may be able to own would be a cat. Consider aspects that you may not have thought about previously; although rabbits are kept in cages at petshops, they really should have at least a 10 foot x 4 foot area to run and jump in. Caged animals on the other hand, like hamsters, require little space. A word to the wise though...hamsters and gerbils are nocturnal and may keep you up at night by chewing on plastic loops and running on squeaky wheels if you keep them in a bedroom.

6. Where you Get your Pet from

Try to steer away from Pet shops and breeders. The best route to take to getting any furry type of animal, besides things like hamsters and rats, is to head to your local humane society or consider getting a dog or cat from a "rescue group." These animals are often abandoned but are screened for good personality traits, so they are looking for a forever home with parents that can treat them well.

7. Budget

The type of animal you invite into your home has a huge effect on your wallet. Consider the fact that any decent sized animal requires trips to the vet, and if you get a young pet remember that you'll want to have it spayed or neutered. Food costs can add up, particularly if you want to feed your pet organic or healthy food. If you have a long haired dog or cat, you may want take into consideration the fact that they will require professional grooming from time to time. The set-up for an animal is always the most expensive, so if you put aside 50 to 100 dollars a month for an animal after the initial set-up, you're more than likely going to have plenty of cash to keep the pet healthy and happy.

Ultimately, make sure that the pet you invite into your home is one you can see yourself caring for and taking care of for years to come.

A few extra tips...

-If you're looking for a very quiet pet, avoid birds at all costs. Though their singing may be pleasant, you'll soon be irritated by their loud calls for attention if you are easily annoyed by noise. Rodents, as I noted previously, are just as rambunctious. The difference is birds sleep through the entire night but miniature animals are often nocturnal.

-Hamsters and gerbils are known to be incredible escape artists:some of the worst culprits for allowing these tiny pets to escape are the colorful tubes that are sold in petstores. Although the rodents love running through them, etc, they also love to gnaw right through them to squeeze out.

-If you're unaware whether you allergic to any animals, try getting a simply allergy test done at your doctor. If you have a friend with the animal you are looking into getting, ask if you can spend a few hours around their pet to see if you react.

-A dog craves routine, so make sure food and walks are provided at close to the same time daily. It takes stress off of them, and will keep you cuddling and playing rather than scolding.