Animals are one of life’s greatest joys, and owning a pet can be a thrilling and rewarding experience. In 2018, dogs alone were the leading type of pet, with over 470 million of them kept worldwide.
However, every pet is unique and has different needs, so you want to be prepared for the new addition to your home and family. It can be useful to find out if a particular pet is a good fit for your lifestyle and home. Here is how to choose the right one for your family.
1. Avoid impulse buy
It can be tempting to want to own a pet when you find a beautiful one staring at you longingly at the pet shop. However, you want to consider whether you are ready for the long-term commitment.
Some pets can live up to 20 years, and you want to consider your preparedness for the journey ahead. Making an impulse buy isn’t one of the smartest decisions.
So do your homework and research a particular pet or animal if you don’t know their background. This should include health and behavioural issues. Choosing the ideal pet requires planning and time, so you can’t rush through the process.
Consider your lifestyle
It is okay to have an idea of the kind of pet you want, but have you considered how ideal your home or lifestyle is? How welcoming is your family towards the idea of bringing a pet home? Would your present work schedule allow you to give the pet the needed attention?
Asking these questions and more will help you determine how much time your family has for pet care. For example, cats and dogs require daily attention for feeding, grooming, cleaning, and exercising. Although other pets may require less time, it would still be best to consider your lifestyle before settling on a pet.
3. Allergy concerns
Some pests can infect your child with an illness. For instance, reptiles can transfer salmonella germs to cause severe diarrhoea. This is a good reason to practice good hygiene, such as hand washing after playing with pets and before eating.
Some animals also shed hair, skin cells, and feathers which cause allergic reactions in some kids. Bringing such pets into your home isn’t one of the smartest decisions to make. It will be helpful to seek advice from a local veterinarian or paediatrician if your family has a history of allergic illnesses.
4. Consider the age of a pet
Depending on your family’s needs, you will have to consider the pet’s age. For example, a puppy or kitten may bite out for pure friskiness, so well-trained older animals are typically an excellent choice for kids. Ideally, adopting a pet from reputable breeders and shelters such as Ausmate Australian Cobberdogs is the best option. Anything less, and you risk buying a diseased or ill animal and putting your family and yourself in peril.
Ensuring proper pet care is crucial, and it doesn’t matter whether you choose a dog, cat, hamster, or rabbit. Hopefully, this article should guide you in choosing the right pet for your family.