Adopting a pet is exciting, but extensive consideration is necessary to ensure the pet you choose is the right fit for your family. Our Caldwell Animal Hospital team wants your new four-legged friend’s arrival to be successful, and we offer tips to help you choose the right pet for your family.

#1: Determine if your family is ready for a pet

A pet is a great addition to any family, but if your schedule is hectic or your budget is extremely tight, you may not be ready for a pet. Consider these pet owner requirements:

  • Time — All pets, including those considered low-maintenance, need attention and care. If your family spends little time at home as you hustle between work, school, and extracurricular activities, you may not have time to care for a pet properly.
  • Responsibility — Pets are great companions, but they are also a big responsibility. If you have infants or small children and you feel like your hands are full dealing with their needs, you may not be ready for the added pet ownership responsibility.
  • Money — Pets are expensive. After the initial adoption costs, ongoing financial responsibilities include food, toys, litter, parasite prevention medications, routine veterinary care, and boarding fees. In addition, if your pet experiences a veterinary emergency, their bills can rise quickly. Before adopting a pet, ensure your family’s finances can support your four-legged family member’s needs.

#2: Consider how a pet will fit into your lifestyle

Does your family enjoy spending time outdoors, or are you more comfortable watching movies on the couch? Like people, pets have different personalities and characteristics. Some pets are extremely active and require a lot of exercise, while others are more sedentary. In addition, some pets need more attention than others. When choosing a pet, consider your family’s lifestyle to help determine what pet type suits you best. Consider the following:

  • Cats — Cats are typically considered lower maintenance than dogs, but they still require daily attention and care. In addition to food and water, a cat needs their litter box cleaned regularly, and at least 10 minutes’ interactive exercise twice daily. Each cat has a different personality. Some aren’t sociable, while others always want to be part of the action. Spend time with a kitten or cat before adopting them to determine whether their personality is a good fit for your family.
  • Active dogs — If your family outings typically involve outdoor activities, such as hiking or jogging, you may want to consider a four-legged friend who is ready and willing to participate. Energetic breeds who require a lot of exercise include border collies, Labrador retrievers, golden retrievers, Australian shepherds, poodles, and Jack Russell terriers. These are also great breeds if you are interested in competing in canine sports such as flyball, agility, dock diving, or tracking.
  • Sedentary dogs — If family movie night is more your style, a sedentary dog breed may be a better fit for your family. While these dogs still need exercise, they aren’t as energetic and don’t require as much physical activity as active dog breeds. Sedentary dog breeds include the bulldog, Cavalier King Charles spaniel, Pekingnese, dachshund, and Pomeranian.

#3: Determine if your family wants a puppy, kitten, or older pet

Puppies and kittens are hard to resist, but they aren’t right for every family. Consider a potential pet’s age:

  • Puppies and kittens — While adorable, puppies and kittens require a lot of extra time and attention. They must be socialized and trained to grow into well-adjusted and well-behaved adult pets. In addition, puppies and kittens tend to wreak havoc, chewing shoes, gamboling around your house, and having accidents on your carpet. Ensure your family is ready for upheaval before adopting a puppy or kitten.
  • Adult pets — Adult pets are typically already trained and are usually more well-behaved than puppies and kittens. In addition, their personality is established. An adult pet’s current owners or shelter caregivers should be able to tell you about their temperament.
  • Senior pets — Senior pets tend to be quieter and more low key than younger pets. Senior pets are great if you have elderly family members or young children in your home. However, senior pets are at higher risk for health conditions, and you must be prepared to ensure they receive appropriate veterinary care if necessary.

#4: Consider your space when choosing a new pet

Some pets require more space than others. Giant-breed dogs, such as Great Danes, Great Pyrenees, and Bernese mountain dogs, require space to move around and wag their tail. Active, energetic breeds need space to run around to exert excess energy. These pets typically do best in a large home that has a spacious yard. If you live in a small home or apartment, consider adopting a cat or small-breed dog.

#5: Consider how your pet will interact with your family members

When adding a pet to your home, you must consider every family member to ensure the new situation is successful. Considerations include:

  • Children — Young children may invade a pet’s space, and you should adopt a docile, easy-going pet who is tolerant of small, exploring hands. Older pets are typically better for households with young children because these wise old souls are typically better behaved. Also, consider the pet’s welfare. Extremely small pets are fragile, and excited children can easily injure them.
  • Senior family members — Senior family members may not be physically stable, and you should avoid adopting an energetic pet who likes to jump on people. Older cats and low-energy dogs are typically best for households that include elderly family members.
  • People with allergies — Some people are allergic to pet dander and saliva. No dogs or cats are completely hypoallergenic, but some breeds are considered low allergen because they shed less. Ensure the pet you bring home doesn’t trigger an allergic response, because you don’t want a family member to struggle constantly with allergies.
  • Other pets — If you have other pets in your home, you want to ensure they will accept the new pet. Make appropriate introductions to facilitate the process. 

Once you adopt a new pet, contact our Caldwell Animal Hospital team, so we can meet your new addition and strategize a health care plan to keep them happy and healthy.