Choosing A Family Pet Is A Family Decision

Adopting a new family pet; a dog, cat or other animal is a decision the whole family must make together. Input from everyone results in the right pet for the family.

Dogs and cats are often ideal family pets, but a pony, pet rabbit, lizard, gerbil, bird, guinea pig or even a fish might suit a particular family just as well. Parents and children may have different ideas on which kind of pet best suits them or their family. Making the decision as a family can be a challenge, but need not become a dispute if the following points are considered..

Pet Friendly Environment a Must

Assessing the prospective pet’s needs, and the family’s ability to meet them, is the first step in selecting a family pet. Each kind of pet has its own unique requirements. That is easy for even a young child to understand when considering the difference between the needs of a pony and a fish, but more subtle differences may need further discussion. 

Researching the needs of dogs, cats and other types of pets provides a great opportunity to use the local library. There will be pet care books for all kinds of family pets in age appropriate text for children, from toddlers to teens. Check out some pet care books and take them home for discussion. Knowing the needs of each type of pet allows every member of the family to participate in the selection.

List Pet Needs and Family Wishes

Using the information from their research, the family should begin listing the needs of various pets. Double lists can be valuable tools to help every member of the family understand the attributes and needs of different pets, as well as their own. The family should make two lists with Yes and No columns.

List in the Yes column the kinds of pets who could live in the type of environment the family provides, with pets who could not live with them listed in the No column. An example of a Yes and No for an apartment dwelling family might be a kitten in the Yes column and a horse listed under No. A second list is made for attributes the family wants in a pet and those they do not. An example of a Yes and a No might be cuddly on the Yes side and barking on the No side.

The two double lists make narrowing down the selection an easy task. For instance: an apartment might be great for a cat, or bird, and some small dogs, but most large dogs require a yard or a place to run. The suburban home with a fenced yard probably won’t include the acreage needed for a pony to romp and graze. Because they are participating in the reasoning behind the choices, most children happily select an appropriate pet.

Pet Friendly Dwellings

Apartment dwellers need to find out if their rental agreement permits family pets. And, if they live in a pet friendly apartment, how much is the deposit per pet? There are often weight or breed restrictions in apartment complexes, so take that into consideration before bringing that darling Bull Mastiff, or Pit Bull puppy home! 

Suburban neighborhood may also have certain restrictions. There may be leash laws that prohibit a dog or cat from roaming off the owner’s property. There may be fencing requirements and/or large animal restrictions. Bringing an animal home before knowing how it will be accepted into the neighborhood can be a grave mistake.

Other Pet Care Considerations:

• Budget for additional expenses: Food and veterinary care can run to hundreds or thousands of dollars annually. Various pets differ widely in expense of care, so it is important to choose one the family can afford.
• Select a Vet: Preferably nearby and with 24/7 access. Like humans, pets sometimes need medical attention at odd hours and an illness may not be apparent until it is an emergency.
• Plan for vacations; If the family pet isn’t traveling with the family on vacation a reliable pet sitter is a must. If the pet will be coming along on vacation, make sure every accommodation is pet friendly and he or she has a safe place to be when the family is sightseeing or otherwise engaged.
• Lifestyle considerations: A family that moves frequently finds an animal known to adapt easily is the best choice. If they are away all day, selecting an animal that can tolerate being alone for the hours will spare both pet and owners grief.

Pet Care: Responsibilities and Rewards

Pets are a huge responsibility. They are a daily responsibility. They are a continuing responsibility. Who cleans the litter? Who changes the water in the fish tank? Who walks the dog? These are tasks that are a recurring as the sun rising. The family bringing a pet into the home needs to have those questions answered and every other aspect of that pet’s care assigned before the adoption is completed. 

In addition to daily maintenance, regular veterinary visits are essential to keep your pet healthy and happy. Routine checkups help detect potential health issues early. For example, identifying joint pain or stiffness in dogs promptly allows for timely intervention and effective treatments, such as dog arthritis treatment, which help preserve their comfort and mobility as they age.

A family pet is not just a source of joy, although it is certain to be that, it is a helpless creature that depends upon its human family for its every need. Unconditional devotion is the reward for choosing a family pet wisely and giving it constant loving care.