Choosing a Family Pet: A Brief Guide

Today, on Redhead Mom, I’m sharing a partnered guest post about choosing a family pet.

Choosing a Family Pet: A Brief Guide

Owning a pet is an incredibly rewarding experience, especially for children. A lot of people have fond memories of their first pet, and they want to recreate these memories with their own children. However, every family is different, and as such, their ideal pet will vary. If you think that your family is ready to add a new member, then there are a few things that you should keep in mind when trying to find the perfect pet for your family. You may consider to check out an online page like householdpets.co.uk if you are interested to read interesting stories about pets.

To continue, let’s get into it. 

Think About Your Family

While you might prefer a particular animal, it won’t necessarily mean that it is the best option for you. All animals have their own personalities, but some breeds do have more dominant traits than others. For example, some pets are less maintenance than others, whereas others have more energy or are cuddlier than others. Take dogs as an example; Native Pet’s guide shows that German Shepherds are great with kids, in part because they have no inherent aggressive traits. Basset Fauve de Bretagne puppies also make for great family pets. Whereas breeds like the Bull Terrier do tend to make better guard or working dogs than pets because they are more predisposed to aggression. You may want to look for cane corso puppies if you want a nice middle ground that is both disciplined and loyal.

If you haven’t got the time to walk a dog every day, then you might want to go for a cat instead. Cats are often less maintenance than dogs because they tend to need less. Cats are more solitary; they need feeding and access to a litter tray; other than that, the cat will let you know when it wants attention or play. If you don’t want a pet roaming around your home, then you could choose a caged pet like a hamster or a rabbit. They can be just as social, although hamsters are nocturnal, which doesn’t necessarily mean that they will want to be disturbed when your child wants to play. 

Finally, if your family aren’t interested in furry pets, then you could opt for fish or reptiles, although they aren’t the most interactive of pets. Birds are another good option; they can be incredibly social and loving, although the noise isn’t for everyone. It should be a discussion that everyone is involved in. What is the general consensus of the family? 

Take Into Account Your Lifestyle

Think about who is going to be the primary caregiver and what spare time they have to dedicate to caring for the pet. You might think that you know what type of pet everyone wants, but you also need to consider the pet and whether or not it will be suited to your family’s lifestyle and your home too. If the adults in the home work full time, unless they work from home, this means that the pet will be left to its own devices upwards of eight hours a day, five days a week which is not fair on animals that thrive on social interaction. You could pay someone to come in during the day to check on your cat or you can leave you pet at a cattery Melbourne.

Consider the Expenses

The next consideration you need to make is the expense that the pet will likely constitute. There is the price of the pet first and foremost. Some pets are cheaper than others. It is also cheaper to rescue a pet than it is to buy directly from a breeder as well as being a morally better choice. There is also the cost of the comfort items of the pet, whether that is bedding or cages, as well as toys or enrichment tools. It is also advisable to ensure that your pet has insurance, although some pets don’t tend to qualify. Pet insurance can help to make your vet’s bills cheaper, although this is another financial consideration that you will need to make. You may also take into consideration the cost of dog daycare services in case you need someone to look after your pet.

Rescues vs Breeders

The next thing that you need to think about is where you are going to get the pet from. As mentioned above, breeders tend to be more expensive, but if you have a particular breed or pet in mind, you might have to go for a breeder because there is no guarantee that you will be able to find it from a rescue or pound. If you do opt to rescue, there are thousands of pets out there that need homes. Obviously, there are a lot of things to consider; when you get a rescue, you won’t necessarily know the history of the animal or its personality. The workers are thorough, and they will usually suggest the best home environment for the animal. They may also conduct a home visit to make sure that you are going to provide the best home for that particular animal’s needs. 

In Summary

Finding the perfect pet for your family can take time, and it is important to be patient. As well as finding the right pet for you, you have to be sure that your family is going to be the best place for the pet too. Do your research and consider the above to make sure that you have all of the information that you need.