Picking the Best Pet for Your Family

Getting a new pet is a big decision and it becomes that much more important when you add kids into the mix. There are lots of things you need to think about before bringing a new furry friend into your home. How can you be sure that you’re making the right decision for your family? Here are a few things to consider:

1. The Age of Your Children

Different pets can be better suited for specific age groups. If you have very small children, around age one or two, getting them a small pet like a hamster or even a really small dog might not be the best idea. They won’t be quite aware yet of how to handle such small animals and will often squeeze or pull on them and may even hurt them. Getting a much larger dog could be a better option for your family in that situation.

However, if your children are a little older, pets such as hamsters or rats make great transition pets to introduce them to the responsibility of taking care of an animal. Not only that, but they make great pets in general. As a child, I had a Blue Rat named Mimi and she was one of the best pets I ever had. She was sweet and absolutely loved to be held, making her perfect for a kid like me who wanted something affectionate, but who also lived in an apartment that didn’t allow larger animals.

2. The Lifestyle of Your Family

Think about what you like to do together as a family. Are you the type to be outside frequently? Do you like to hike, go to parks, and be active? Or are you more likely to be found sitting on the couch binge-watching shows together? Whatever kind of lifestyle you have, you want to make sure that your new pet will fit into it.

If you’re very active, a dog might be the perfect pet for you. They would be a very happy companion for family walks or trips to the park. Dogs are great for families who have the energy to get outside and play with their pet. However, if you’re more of the couch potato type, maybe a cat could be more your style. From experience, I can tell you they make the perfect Netflix companion.

Another thing to think about is how often someone will be home. If you and your spouse both work during the day and the kids are in school, having a dog can be difficult. A cat would be a good option here as well because they are very independent and don’t need to be taken for frequent walks. You may also consider pets that are nocturnal such as hamsters who will be asleep for the majority of the time you are gone.

3. Your Budget

It is very important to figure out your budget before you invest in a pet. There are lots of fees to factor in depending on what kind of animal you choose. Dogs and cats require shots, vet visits, and lots of bags of food and/or litter.  Along with that, there is also the prices of grooming, toys, collars, leashes, and other accessories to consider. If you’re on a smaller budget, these might not be the best options for you.

Smaller pets like hamsters and rats require a smaller budget, but you still must consider the price of cages, bedding, food, and any toys you might want to purchase like hamster wheels or tunnels. They don’t require reoccurring fees like grooming or annual shots, so they can be a bit more bank account friendly.

4. Possible Allergies

Something very important to think about when getting a new pet is any allergies that your family has or could potentially have. Dog and cat allergies are fairly common, but other pets offer allergy concerns as well. Even getting a pet spider may come with a risk if someone in your family is allergic to bees. The venom from their bites is very similar to that of bees and wasps and can cause an anaphylactic reaction.

The best thing to do would be to expose your family to the pet you are considering prior to purchase to check for any potential allergies. It’s much better to be safe now than sorry later.

5. Where You’re Getting Your Pet

Would you like to buy your pet from a pet store or adopt from a shelter? Adopting has so many added benefits. It can be a much cheaper option for your family if you’re concerned about your budget. You have the opportunity to go into a shelter and interact with the animals in a way that isn’t always possible in a pet store. Most importantly, you have the opportunity to help save the life of an animal who otherwise could have be euthanized.

Most people think that adopting a pet from a shelter is only for dogs and cats, but there are also certain shelters for more exotic animals. You can use these shelters to find animals such as rabbits or guinea pigs or even some reptiles. It’s a good alternative to pet stores that don’t always treat their animals nicely.

Whatever decision you make, bringing a new pet into the family is an exciting prospect. Getting everyone involved in the decision can make it even better. Have the kids research different pets that they would like to have. Get everyone to divide up responsibilities like who is going to take the dog for walks or who is going to feed the hamster. Bring everyone to the shelter with you to look at all the animals and figure out which one meshes with your family the best. Most importantly, have fun and get ready to share the love of your family with your new furry (or feathery or scaly!) baby.

How do you determine the type of pet that is right for your family? Leave a comment and let us know!