Animals can bring a great amount of joy and comfort to one's life. Yet choosing a pet to bring into the house is a serious decision -- once a pet has been brought home it becomes a member of the family. This means that it's really important to select the right pet the first time around. Research shows that pets can be fun for children while also helping them learn a sense of responsibility. Animals provide company, love and positive energy to people when they are feeling down, and in general are good for our physical and mental health. They teach empathy And help improve general well-being.
Once you're certain that you're ready for the responsibility that comes with caring for a pet it's time to decide on the right animal.
Common domestic pets include:
- cats
- dogs
- rabbits
- rodents, including rats, guinea pigs, and chinchillas
- birds, particularly parrots
- reptiles, including snakes and lizards.
Choosing a Pet to Suit Your Lifestyle
Different animals suit different lifestyles. For instance, dogs generally need walking or a large yard to play in. Even small dogs like Pomeranians and terriers need exercise. Cats may not need outdoor exercise but do require playtime and may have different active hours. Both dogs and cats are generally free roaming in the home or yard; birds, rabbits, rodents, and reptiles require enclosures and some will also require regular playtime. Grooming is also an important consideration – a Pomeranian or Husky will require significantly more attention to grooming than a pug or Chihuahua.
When selecting the general family of pet that you'd like to bring home start by answering the following questions:
- How much space do I have?
- How much time do I have?
- Who will be caring for the animal?
- How big will the animal be? What is the upper size limit my family can manage?
- What can I afford?
- What is the law in my area?
How Much Space Do I Have?
Space is a prime consideration for all animals. While it is easy to think that the smaller the animal, the smaller the space it needs, this is not always the case. Animals such as snakes and reptiles may require large enclosures that mimic their natural habitat, while animals which live in hutches require an enclosure large enough to accommodate food, water, and a waste area. it is important that there be enough space between the waste area and the food and water to ensure the health of the animal.
Depending on the number of animals, it is also important to think in terms of territory. Animals such as cats and dogs can be territorial and view the home as their kingdom. understanding how the animal views space and territory is key to understanding what is needed.
Prior to deciding on an animal conduct some research on requirements with the general size and breed. Also take into account any outdoor access. For instance, some dogs may live in smaller spaces if they are engaging in regular exercise twice a day. Cats generally view spaces both horizontally and vertically, meaning that even a small apartment space can be made suitable with the addition of vertical shelving and napping spots.
Finally, consider the number of people living in the space. If you have a large family in a small space, a large animal is generally a bad idea. Do not purchase an animal that is too big for your living space.
How Much Time Do I Have?
Some animals are content with minimal attention. However, what constitutes minimal attention varies from owner to owner. Happy animals require regular stimulation in the form of play.
The type of play also varies according to the animal. Dogs require walking, play with the ball, and general activity. Cats require the opportunity to chase and hunt toys, and even solve small treat puzzles. Birds require some space to move about, with larger parrots needing puzzle toys and other tools for cognitive stimulation. Even lizards and some other reptiles require some form of stimulation or play.
Although it may seem trivial, boredom can contribute to negative behaviours and ill health. This means it is essential to account for the amount of playtime in attention an animal will need before bringing it home.
It is also important to think about the amount of maintenance time required for the care of your new pet. Dogs will require training, which can mean weekly sessions for a set period. Both dogs and cats may require grooming, while cats require regular litter box cleaning. Rabbits, Guinea pigs, an chinchillas all need regular hutch cleaning; reptiles and fish will need enclosures cleaned and fish tank maintenance can be significant. It is best to set out each time commitment required for a potential pet then look at these in the context of your week as part of your overall planning before bringing a pet into the home.
Who Will Be Caring for the Animal?
Although we like to think a pet belongs to everybody it is generally accepted that most animals favour their primary carer. It is important to establish who the primary carer is and who the support carers are for a pet before bringing it home. If a pet is being used as part of teaching children responsibility it is essential that these responsibilities be laid out prior to the pet coming home in order to ensure the pet is not disadvantaged if the children do not stick to their commitment.
Start by making a list of duties and discussing who is responsible for what as a family. Ensure that responsibilities are aligned age appropriately. For instance, a 6 year old may help with feeding but not with grooming, while a 12 year old may be capable of managing all feeding. Carefully define what each duty looks like for example if 6 year old Timothy is supposed to help with feeding, clearly state that timothy's role is to bring the dog dishes to an adult and call the dog. Do not expect children to immediately understand how to care for an animal properly. Establish what each adult will do, such as walking, cleaning a little box, and how often each task will be performed. When responsibilities are established early, it ensures that the animal is well cared for and will not be seen as a burden. This also helps keep the animal healthy.
How Big Will the Animal Be?
Size is a particularly important consideration. Larger animals can be difficult to control, particularly in households with children or elderly family members. Smaller animals can be harder to find, or keep safe -- indeed, ferret proofing is much harder than baby proofing.
It is important to think about the amount of size the animal will need to move around an live comfortably. It is also important to think about the size that you, personally, can handle. You should be able to handle your animal with minimal help. If the dog is too big for you to control when walking, it is not an appropriate animal for your household. Similarly, smaller animals such as geckos or hermit crabs may not be appropriate for households with small children who wish to hold the animal as these are more delicate creatures. It is important to strike a balance between size, manageability, and desirability.
What Can I Afford?
Caring for a pet can become quite expensive. It is important to account for not only food but regular veterinary care, such as vaccinations and Wellness cheques. Understanding the importance of an emergency account for accidents is also imperative. Even prior to bringing an animal home there are costs such as breeder fees, or adoption fees, and spaying/neutering. Enclosures and equipment can also add costs although these may be one-off fees.
As an animal grows older it generally becomes more expensive to maintain. This can happen as the animal requires a special diet, such as one tailored for urinary crystals (cats), or supplements (e.g., fish oil). Veterinary bills may also increase due to more frequent visits and medications. Planning for this ahead of time, or planning for pet insurance, is an important part of keeping a happy healthy pet.
It's also important to think about the type of animal you want to bring home. Small birds such as budgies (also known as parakeets) are generally inexpensive. however even shelter dogs and cats can quickly become expensive; purebred animals can cost thousands of dollars, and care for these animals can easily rack up costs. This is because purebred animals have lesser genetic diversity can be more prone to medical issues. Spend time planning for this before deciding there is a specific pet type or breed you absolutely must have.
What is the Law in My Area?
Different areas have different laws, even for common animals such as dogs and cats. Prior to bringing home an animal it is important to cheque what these laws are. For instance, many councils have a limit on the number of dogs that can reside on a single property and the amount of land required per dog; some councils have indoor laws about cats and even in introducing laws regarding cat registration. All the animals may be permitted with special licences, or may be permitted in some states but not others. In Australia both ferrets and rabbits are a prime example of this: rabbits and ferrets are both illegal in QLD; rabbits are only permitted with a special licence for education and work. Other states have no limitations on either species though they may require neutering unless the owner is also a breeder.
It is also important to look at laws regarding human animal interactions. Be sure you understand what happens if something goes wrong, such as a dog injuring a human. Understanding the law and its consequences prior to bringing an animal home can help ensure proper training and prevent tears later.
Pets can bring a great deal of love and comfort to our lives. Yet having a pet is a great responsibility and one that is not to be taken lightly. Planning is key to bringing home the best pet for your family.
If you are looking at a pet be sure to check out our courses on animals :