How To Choose An Ideal Pet When You Are Starting A Family?
The time comes and you feel the need to choose a pet to incorporate into the family. Most consider adopting a take-home animal to be very positive for everyone.
Children, in particular, enjoy and learn a lot when they have their animal companions at home. Therefore, knowing what type of pet to choose is very important. It not only depends on the tastes of each one, but on other factors such as family habits, health, etc.
Choosing an Ideal Pet: Assessing Family Possibilities
Before going out in search of the pet, you have to talk and agree on certain points. This facilitates the decision and the times of election.
1. Budget for care
A pet needs its own care related to food, veterinary checks, vaccinations and more. There are some animals that require more attention than others to live healthily.
It is necessary to know how much money is available each month to cover that extra expense. That way, you make sure you choose a pet that will really be happy and you avoid headaches.
2. Family lifestyle
When adding a pet, you also have to think about the time that can be dedicated to it. If the members of the family go to school or work outside and most of the time the house is empty, that animal would be alone for a long time.
Also, if it is a family that makes many trips during the year, it is an important issue to evaluate. You need to ask yourself a series of questions: who will take care of her when they are away? Is it possible to add the pet to trips?
In homes with young children, choose a pet that is capable of living with them. Not all of them are recommended and much less if they cause some type of allergy with their fur. Also, there are others that are very beneficial for their growth.
3. Everyone will be responsible when choosing a pet
It often happens that some want with all their being to have pets, but others simply do not want to know anything about the idea. Therefore, it is essential to discuss and agree on the terms regarding care.
Perhaps it is best to specify who will be responsible for your care and hygiene to avoid future discussions. To be honest, over time, everyone ends up in love with their pet and forgets the early days.
4. Physical space is key
The square meters of the environment are a condition for choosing a pet. Large, active animals will not be comfortable inside an apartment, for example. In those cases, it may be convenient to think of a fish tank, which also decorates the place.
When you have a good garden, you can choose to have dogs, which in addition to offering security, can play freely. And if you are thinking of exotic animals, it is necessary to read the regulations in force in the locality where you live. Likewise, it is necessary to verify if they have everything necessary for maintenance.
5. The walks cannot be missed
Some pets are social beings who wait for their daily walks to be in contact with the rest of the world. So, beyond the obligations of family members, someone has to take them for a walk.
In the mornings or afternoons, going for a walk with the animal brings them together and helps both of them exercise. It is a nice plan that has to be planned and analyzed. If no one wants to fulfill these tasks, many pets must be discarded in the search.
6. All future plans must include the pet.
It seems that it is already something too picky, however, choosing a pet needs these previous approaches. Imagining the future of the family and its changes is essential to know if the pet will be able to continue with you.
If you are thinking of moving, you will have to opt for residences that accept animals, and so on with each point. Once it is part of the family, the animal cannot be abandoned under any circumstances.
Choosing a pet: some examples
When you are already in the search, the important thing is to inquire about the personality of the animal. Some races or types of animals tend to be more sociable and others more solitary. These traits are distinctive and help to think about their adaptation to the family.
1. Dogs
For the most part, dogs are very sociable, loving and loyal animals. It is very easy for them to get used to a family environment and find their own place quickly. Some races love children and become their best friends as soon as they receive the first show of affection.
It also happens that they mark their territory and are sometimes too jealous of their masters. On the other hand, they need to be accompanied most of the time. Loneliness is not a situation that pleases them at all and they may show it by breaking something.
Also, larger dogs tend to need more physical activity. It is essential to provide them with a place to run around and play outdoors or more hours of walks.
2. Cats
Felines are more appropriate for families that have a smaller physical space. On the other hand, they get along with silence and few people around them. They can stay home alone for a while and it doesn’t cause the same anxiety as other pets.
One drawback of cats is that their fur is often the cause of some allergies. However, if everyone is healthy at home, it is a good option that is maintained with little care.
3. Fish
Fish do not need more space than a fish tank that can be placed in some corner of the house. Their care is negligible: it is enough with the feeding and hygiene of their habitat.
Having fish is a nice exercise to teach the little ones the responsibility of caring for a pet. However, it is necessary to control that it does not feed them by others, so that they do not get sick.
4. Hamsters
Like the previous ones, they do not need much care either, it is enough to keep their place clean and feed them. They can spend a long time playing inside their cage and children will surely enjoy watching it.
When choosing a pet …
Choosing a pet is a fun task, but it requires responsibility and common sense. Ideally, all family members should have the opportunity to express their opinion in a respectful way. Later, it would be convenient for everyone to be able to participate in the care of the chosen pet once it has arrived home. In this way, everyone can enjoy it and feel part of a team.
Last but not least, it should be noted that patience, affection and responsibility are the key to achieving a healthy and happy coexistence.