What kind of pet should I get?
That’s a question one would ask if they’re single and looking for a companion.
It’s most commonly asked if you have a home with young children that think pets are cute.
Some of you might just love animals and getting a pet is something you’ve been considering.
And, lastly, someone might be thinking about getting a pet because they are bored and have the money to do so.
Whatever your reasons might be, we have some things you should consider when deciding what kind of pet you should get.
What Kind of Pet Should I Get?
Great job on doing your research as not many people are as responsible.
They get a pet and realize it’s not really what they wanted.
They saw how cool they looked on TV or at someone else’s house, so they decided that that’s what they wanted too.
Things don’t always go as planned and that’s okay.
Pets aren’t the simplest thing to take on and sometimes take the opinions and knowledge of others.
So, if you’re wondering what kind of pet you should get, here are some things you need to consider.
1. Who is the Pet Really For?
Sometimes parents try to get a pet “for their kids,” but it’s really something they want for themselves.
Not to say that’s a problem, but it’s something that you need to consider when picking what kind of pet to get.
If you say you’re getting a pet for your 5-year-old daughter, remember that they barely know how to feed themselves.
So, guess what?
That means they won’t be able to scoop cat litter or take Bingo out for a walk when he needs to go.
You, as the parent must take on these responsibilities, so think of how busy you are and if, in fact, this pet is really for your child.
2. How Responsible Are You?
When you’re trying to decide on your next pet, you want to think about how responsible you are as a person.
Are you late every time?
Do you consider yourself clean?
How much work are you willing to put in when it comes to caring for your soon-to-be pet?
I’m sure you’ve heard that cats require less maintenance than dogs, and although that is somewhat true, the answer depends on the individual.
Dogs can require more maintenance when you are trying to housetrain them, but they become less needy when they get older.
3. What’s Your Budget Like?
Pets are in no way cheap.
I don’t care what anyone tells you.
We thought cats were cheaper to care for than dogs and it seems true as dogs are much bigger.
I used to think that way, but let me just tell you that there are a lot more things you should know about cats before you decide on getting one.
The idea of smaller bags of food sounds great but factor in the litter and things start to add up.
How about things like a cat tree and cat toys?
4. What Do You Expect From Your Pet?
If you’re looking for some affectionate pets, your options are very limited.
You’re looking at dogs, horses, and maybe rats.
The rest are questionable.
Some say that cats are affectionate, but that depends on the type of cat you get.
We have two cats and although they like to rub on our legs and whine to eat all the time, they don’t interact with us and don’t like to be touched either.
5. Why Do You Even Want a Pet?
Are you looking for a companion that you can interact with or are you looking for something to make some kind of movement in the house?
Are you getting a dog because Bob, your neighbor has a dog?
Get a pet for the right reasons.
Don’t do anything or make any buying decisions because of other people.
Let them be them, and you can be you.
There’s nothing wrong with that.
6. How Much Space Does Your Home Have?
Don’t think you’re getting a St. Bernard if you live in an apartment that your HOA doesn’t even allow.
Are you on the 100th floor of your apartment?
Maybe that 60-gallon aquarium isn’t your best bet.
If you don’t have the space for a dog to run around, you might be better off getting a hamster.
Pets that don’t do much aren’t that bad, so don’t always think you ah
7. How Much Time Do You Have?
If you’re going to be gone all day, you might want to hold back on getting that collar, unless it’s for a cat.
Dogs need attention, so you might want to be around more.
They also need to be let out to get rid of their waste.
Cats, not so much.
They don’t really need you and they can keep themselves busy with anything.
A plastic bag, a piece of trash, and even your lovely furniture.
Think of how much time you have when deciding on what pet you plan on getting.
What Kind of Pet Should You Get?
I’ve owned all kinds of pets in my life and I’ve ended up with cats.
I never saw myself as a cat person (I still don’t, but don’t tell my daughter), but that is currently the pet we own.
We had goldfish, but my cats decided to see if they can swim outside the bowl.
If you’re thinking about getting a pet, use the answers to these questions to see which critter best suits your needs and wants.
Think about how much time and money you’re willing to invest especially and you’ll be just fine with whatever you decide on.