Choosing a pet

So you’ve decided you want to own a pet. What a wonderful decision! Pets make an excellent addition to any family. However, it is extremely important that you take into consideration several factors when deciding which type of pet you want to have. Different animals have different temperaments, or “personalities” so to speak. It is therefore important to choose a pet who’s temperament coincides with ones own temperament or personality. It is also important to determine how much time you have, that you are willing to spend with your pet. Different animals require a different amount of attention and care, so it is important to know how much time you are willing to spend with a pet, before you get it. You should also carefully consider the short and long-term financial costs of each animal, and what you can expect financially with different pets. Owning a pet can enrich a family, and add happiness to a family. Decisions to own a pet should be carefully made, so those pets do not become unwanted and unloved.

The following will discuss the general temperament of each animal, how much time each animal requires, and the pros and cons of each animal. I will also make suggestions as to which type of person would work best with a certain animal.

Temperament: If you’ve really got your heart set on a dog then you’re in luck. With such a wide selection of dogs there is sure to be a dog that will fit in well with your family. Some animals such as Golden Retrievers are known for their playful demeanor and compatibility with children. Other dogs such as a Dachshunds or wiener dogs, can be perfect for the elderly, but are not recommended for families with children. It is important to examine the temperament of each animal, and how well it will work for your family. You should also consider how playful or inactive a dog is. Do you have enough yard space to let your dog run? Will you have time to walk your dog or not? Things like this are very important to consider when choosing the right dog. I assure you, there is a dog that is best for your family. If you take the time to research and choose a dog that will work best with your family, then you will make an informed decision that will provide much happiness to you and your family.

Time commitment: This varies from dog to dog. All dogs require some sort of social interaction, which is why they’ve acquired the name, man’s best friend. However some dogs require much more of a time commitment. Some long hair dogs require daily grooming. Other dogs may require a daily walk/run. If you are not very active, there are several dogs, especially small dogs that will be content lying around the house, yet will still provide your family with hours of entertainment. If you are not going to be home during the day, you may want to get two dogs, so that they will not be lonely during the day.

Pros: With so many dogs, your are sure to find a dog that works well for your schedule, and for your family. With proper research, you can easily make a well-informed decision.

Cons: Dogs can be very expensive. Not only can the initial cost of dogs be expensive, but vet bills will definitely accumulate over time. Also, if your animal becomes ill, you may also have to pay a considerable amount of money for vet bills. It is important to examine the medical history of an animal when choosing it. Some animals are commonly prone to certain diseases, and you should be aware of this when choosing a pet.

CATS

Temperament: While cat owners will be able to identify the personalities of their cats, the general temperament of all cats is much more similar, than the temperament of all dogs. Cats are independent creatures. They are hunters who are playful, prowlers, and are very lovable. Cats will bond to a person or persons, but the bond is not as close as the bond between humans and dogs (although some cat lovers would definitely disagree).

Time Commitment: Cats do not require nearly as much attention as that of dogs. Sometimes I will not see my cat the entire day. Cats will be comfortable spending the day at home alone, while you are off at work.

Pros: Cats can live mainly indoors or outdoors. They can be a wonderful addition to a family, that does not require as much attention as a dog. You do not need to worry about taking a cat for a walk. Cats also go to the bathroom in a litter box which can be helpful for those who live in an apartment.

Cons: Cats may want to use your furniture as a scratch post for their nails, however this can be prevented by getting your cat declawed. Some cats can shed terribly, so you will have fur all over your living quarters. However this can be common with dogs also. Cats are also advised against having with small babies. This is because they can jump and may jump up into the babies crib, which can potentially be dangerous.

BIRDS

Temperament: Welcome to the world of birds. These animals temperament will be a direct reflection of the way they are cared for and treated when they are babies. Birds also can develop a tendency to like one member in the family more than the rest. These creatures are very spectacular. Many can learn to speak if you work with them enough. Some can even develop a vocabulary equivalent to a small toddler.

Time Commitment: If you plan on owning a bird, you should be willing to spend a lot of time with it. Birds require a lot of social interaction. They enjoy being around people and becoming part of a family. Birds also live a very long life, so you should realize when buying a bird, that this is an animal that could potentially be around for a very long time.

Pros: In no other animal, will you find its ability to speak. Birds also are sort of an exotic pet, and some people enjoy that. They can range from small to large sizes so it is easy to find an animal that will fit in your living quarters.

Cons: Aside from the fact that Birds require a lot of attention and time commitment, it is also extremely important that their feces are cleaned on a daily basis. Their feces contain a disease that can be caught by anyone, especially small children. This is not something that dangerous, but you should be willing to take care of them on a daily basis.

SMALL ANIMALS

Temperament: Small animals such as guinea pigs, hamsters and rats, make the best pets when frequently handled at a young age. Guinea pigs are often enjoyed because they seem like a small dog. You can let them run around your house (if you keep an eye on it), or you can sit with it in your lab stroking it. Hamsters are usually preferred because they are small and easy to take care of. Rats can make wonderful pets because they are highly intelligent. They are easily domesticated animals.

Time Commitment: These animals do not require as much time and social interaction as dogs, cats and birds. This is why small animals are usually pets for children. It is important to daily feed your animal, give it water, and change its cage when it needs changing. The only other time commitment these animals require is the time you spend playing with it.

Pros: These animals take up very little space as they can live in a cage or aquarium. They do not have a very long life expectancy, if that is what you are looking for in a pet. They do not require routine visits to a vet, unless they get sick and you decide to take them to a specialist, so they are financially cheaper compared to other animals.

Cons: One con is that these animals have a short life expectancy. Also, their bedding can emit a terrible odor if their cage is not cleaned frequently enough.

REPTILES

Temperament: Because there are so many different reptiles, there are a variety of temperaments for these animals. Reptiles include lizards, snakes, frogs, turtles, and much much more.

Time Commitment: Besides handling your animal, time commitment will include spraying them down with a water mist daily because their cages are kept very dry. You should also feed them when necessary and give them fresh water when necessary.

Pros: You can find a reptile that fits comfortably in your living quarters. You can find very small frogs and lizards, or very large lizards and snakes. They can make very wonderful pets that you will love and enjoy.

Cons: Many lizards eat live animals. This is something to consider when buying a reptile. Some turtles and other reptiles eat only lettuce, so it is important to ask what your pet eats before purchasing it. The live animals eaten by reptiles can range from crickets, to mice to rats, to guinea pigs. If you would have difficulty feeding your reptile a live animal, this is something you may want to consider. Also make sure to note that reptiles can have a very long life expectancy, but this varies with each animal.

FISH

Temperament: Each type of fish has a temperament all of its own. It is important to discuss this when buying the fish because some types of fish should not be put together in an aquarium together. You do not want one fish antagonizing another fish, because this will stress the fish out and make it unhealthy.

Time Commitment: There is more time commitment that goes into fish, then one might think. You will need to clean the water, maintain the proper temperature, and feed them. However there is no social interaction required with fish. If you are choosing to have a salt-water aquarium, this will be more of a time commitment then an aquarium of tropical fish would be.

Pros: Fish are beautiful creatures, and an aquarium of them arranged properly, can look wonderful. They are not very difficult to maintain, and can be quite interesting.

Cons: The main thing to worry about with fish, is how healthy they are. Sometimes people loose a lot of money because something is wrong with the temperature, or salt in the aquarium, and fish die.

Hopefully this has provided you with some basic information for choosing the right pet. I would recommend that once you have a specific animal in mind that you research it on an individual basis. Also realize that there are far more pets in the world than I have discussed here.