Regardless of our age, we all could agree on one thing: pets can make the biggest difference in every home. Having another part of the family really helps in strengthening the bond of everyone in the house as well as give more joy to everyone in the family. Sadly, not everyone can get a pet due to various reasons, which is why we would be talking about the things you should consider if you want to get a pet! Think of this as a guideline for what pet to get.
Getting Your First Pet Here Are The Things That You Should Consider
Before You Get A Pet
Adopting a pet can be an intimidating task, after all, you would be taking care of a living creature, it isn’t something that you can just disregard once you get tired of it, it needs love and attention. You also need to factor in if your pet would be comfortable with the other people in your place and vice versa, which is why before you get a pet, you need to ask yourself these questions:
- If you rent, does the property owner approve of you having a pet?
- Will your pet be able to live comfortably in your place?
- Do you have the financial capacity to take care of their needs?
- How much space do you have in your place?
- How active are you/Can you match your pet’s energy?
- Do you know someone you can entrust your pet with if you’d be traveling?
If you have answered these questions and thought to yourself that getting a pet would be a good option for you, then now is the time to consider the different kinds of animals that you could have as a pet!
Dogs/Puppies
The most common pet in the world, the dog! We already know why dogs are a popular pick among people, they are lively, cheerful, and loves to play with their owners! However, this is exactly what you need to consider when getting a dog. As they are very social, you have to ensure that they wouldn’t be left outside for a long time nor just chained up in their own little area in the house. Aside from their basic needs, you also need to consider the time you would need to allot in teaching them basic commands such as sit, stay, come, etc. If you think these factors aren’t a problem for you, then you should definitely get a dog!
Cats/Kittens
A lot of people will tell you that getting a cat is the best option you have if you want to have a pet but you don’t want to expend a lot of time playing with them. Yes, while it is true that cats aren’t as active as dogs, that doesn’t mean that they don’t want to interact with you nor are they pals that you could just ignore. Just as how much affection you need to show dogs, cats also love being shown affection (though not as much as dogs). One big difference cats has compared to dogs is that they scratch a lot, which is why having a scratching post is a big must. If these factors aren’t that big of a deal for you, then you should certainly get a cat!
Birds
Just because they are often in cages, doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re easy to take care of! Just like the previous two entries need social interaction, birds do too, which is why you should also interact with them as much as you could. Birds are social by nature, which is why if you plan to get a feathered pal, you must also get another one or two more so that they wouldn’t be lonely in case you’re gone. Birds are used to being out in the open, so if you plan to get birds, you would need to have a large cage (or an enclosed area) so that they would be able to spread out their wings and fly a bit. If there is a room in your house where they can freely fly, then you won’t need to get a cage. Some birds can live as long as humans, so they’re pretty much a lifetime commitment. If you’re fine with the said conditions, then getting a bird might be your best bet.
Rabbits
Just like the animals we’ve previously mentioned, rabbits are also social animals who could be a wonderful addition to your family once you get to know them more. If you plan on getting a rabbit, make sure that you’re willing to commit their whole lives (which could take seven to ten years). They also prefer being in quiet and tranquil environments, which is why they aren’t suitable for families who would like to be active with their pets. Their digestive system is also a bit delicate, which is why they need to be fed a varied diet. If these are all okay with you, then getting a rabbit is good for you!
