You have seen your neighbor’s dog, and they are the sweetest little fluffy ball. You might have made friends with a cat that keeps showing up in your yard. Perhaps someone you follow on social media has the sweetest chinchillas you have ever seen, and you are wondering if you can have some of your own to steal your heart.
Animals are wonderful, and humans are lucky to space with them – however, some animals can be more right for some than others.
This piece is going to take a look at how you can choose which pet is right for you, so read on to find out more.
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Understand Your Lifestyle
Your lifestyle will help determine which pet will be best for you. For example, if you are a really active person or family, and you enjoy going on regular hikes or work outside, a dog might be your perfect companion.
For those who are at home all of the time and want a challenging but rewarding pet, why not consider a bird?
For those who want a smart, friendly animal, which you can teach tricks to, but are also looking for something in the rodent family, a pair of rats can make fantastic pets!
It is up to you to research and decide what pet will fit your lifestyle best and that they will not suffer for it. For example, it is not the fairest idea to get a dog if you will need to leave them alone for hours at a time.
Pets Are for Adults
When choosing a pet, it is important to remember that the adult will always be responsible for taking care of it. If you are choosing a pet to share with a child, it is essential that you are their primary caregiver and are there to watch over every interaction that they have with an animal.
For example, hamsters are touted as great pets for children, but this could not be further from the truth. Hamsters require a lot of patience, are not always receptive to being handled and can bite when they are scared. Fish are a great ‘look not touch’ pet as long as you are responsible for cleaning the tank and treating the water. It is also up to you to always arrange vet appointments from a trusted vet such as easyvet.com. If you are not able to do these basics, then do not get an animal.
Understand Space Requirements
Different animals will have different space requirements; however, a good rule of thumb is to give your chosen pet as much space as you can. You should always meet the minimum, so it is crucial that you have that to spare, but if you can give them more room, the better.
For example, if you have a small apartment with no access to a gated yard, then a dog might not be the most suitable pet for you. If you know you will be moving to a property with this, then you can consider it.