The Right Pet for Your Life: Tips for First-Time Pet Owners

Selecting the right pet for your family and lifestyle is an important choice, both for you and the animal. Taking this process seriously and using good common sense can make the difference between a long, rewarding friendship and a sad situation for you and your mismatched pet. For example, a Labrador Retriever makes a great pet and is a fun, athletic breed, but probably isn’t a good choice if your yard is small, if you’re nowhere near a park, and if you don’t have a lot of time to spend walking or playing with your pet. Consider carefully the following criteria before making a decision so you’ll ensure you and your furry friend are happy from the start.  

Size and space

Be honest and objective in assessing what kind of animal would thrive in your living space. There’s nothing wrong with owning a dog if you live in an apartment or condominium, but if you do, your pet should be physically and temperamentally suited to living without a lot of room to run and roughhouse. A Poodle or Schnauzer will cope better in a square footage-challenged living environment, but if you’re often at the office or traveling for work, a cat - a resourceful and self-reliant pet - might be a better companion for you.

Take into consideration the size of your children as well. A Mastiff or Irish Wolfhound may enjoy playing with and being around kids, but their size can be a problem, since really big dogs aren’t aware of the damage they can do to little ones. By the same token, a smaller dog isn’t always a better pet for your kids - Jack Russell Terriers and Chihuahuas are small dogs that can turn aggressive if provoked by a little one who likes to pull on their ears.

The hair factor

People who are anxious to bring home a pet often overlook the amount of hair that will accumulate on the furniture, carpeting, clothing and around vents. A good vacuum cleaner will help keep things under control, but it could be a major problem for someone with an allergy or breathing problem like asthma (many allergies are set off by the presence of long-haired dogs - cat hair can also be a problem).

If cleaning up mounds of pet hair isn’t on your bucket list, focus on breeds that have less hair or don’t shed as much as others, such as a Poodle or Collie. Keeping a dog or cat well-combed will help alleviate some of the problem, so make sure you have the right tools on hand, like a good pet brush or a grooming glove.

The right supplies

Being a good pet owners means having the right supplies on hand. A cat needs a good litter box, and a dog needs an efficient way to get outside quickly for sudden relief. Consider investing in an electronic doggy door so you don’t have to keep running back and forth to the back door. While you’re at it, think about the convenience of an automatic feeder for Fido. These are ideal gizmos for pet owners who can’t always be on the scene, and allows their dogs to stay on regular feeding and bathroom schedules.

Being prepared

Pets are usually pretty good when it comes to making themselves at home; nevertheless, it’s important to prepare a special area just for them. It should include a bed, a food and water dish, and any toys, towels or blankets they might like. This will be their haven, a place a pet can retreat to when feeling anxious or frightened. This is especially important for rescue pets, who are apt to be afraid in the beginning. It’s also advisable to spend extra time with your new friend while he’s getting acclimated to his new surroundings. He’ll have an easier time getting comfortable knowing you’re there for him.

The first step in being a responsible and caring pet owner is making certain that your family and home environment are good fits for a pet. Be prepared to adapt your choice of pet to your situation. It’s better for you, and it’s the right thing to do.

Photo Courtesy of Pixabay.com. 

Article courtesy of Jessica Brody of Ourbestfriends.pet / info@ourbestfriends.pet