Choosing The Right Pet For Your Family

It’s totally lame and I’m embarrassed to admit it but I remember when we first adopted our two cats my husband and I looked at each other one night and thought we had made a horrible decision.

We had been married for two carefree years and were turning an eye to starting a family so decided to ease our way into parenthood with the minimal responsibility of the cats. We both had grown up with cats and thankfully it all worked out as we love Edith and Ollie dearly but it’s amazing how a pet can really change the whole dynamic of a home.  

This is why choosing the right type of animal that fits your life is so crucial and can prevent future potential heartbreak. 

Look Closely At Your Lifestyle: This is a first crucial step. Do you travel a lot? If so, is it by car or plane? Are you out of the house for long stretches during the day? What about your family’s activity level? Are you able to walk a dog every day? Are your kids on board with the responsibility of a pet? Are you committed to training a pet properly? Are there any allergies in the house? There’s nothing more heartbreaking than adopting a puppy only to find that your five year old is allergic. A friend of mine spent a solid year investigating dog breeds and because of her research they found the right fit for their family.

The Cost: Within several weeks of owning our cats we found ourselves at a 24-hour animal hospital at midnight with a very sick little kitty. Turns out she ate a frond from the potted palm tree in our living room and it had caused an abdominal blockage. One large vet bill later and a cat with terrible diarrhea made us realize that as cute as they are it’s a financial responsibility too.  Pet owners need to be ready for emergencies but also budget for food, supplies and yearly medical visits for vaccines which can be costly. 

Pets Aren’t Just Cats And Dogs: What about rabbits or small critters like hamsters or even fish? Clearly the larger the animal the more involved from the cost of food and medical care but also sheer space in your home. Do you have space for that large dog? Rabbits and gerbils are small but require more care than you might think. A fish sits in a tank with minimal requirements for care but you can’t cuddle with it.

Temperament of Kids:  Consider the ages and temperaments of the children in your home. I have three very active boys and adding a dog to the mix would be like adding a fourth child so we're not ready for a dog just yet. Also some children have very real fears of certain animals. It’s important to consider that beforehand and maybe have a family meeting to talk about the realities of a pet and their concerns. 

With a little bit of soul searching and research, years of happy pet ownership can be yours.