Adopting the Perfect Pet

Congratulations! You've made the decision to bring some pet-love into your home. However, there are a lot of different pets for you to choose from. Choosing the perfect pet for your home, lifestyle and preferences is extremely important. Here are a few things to consider which will help you to choose the perfect pet.

What's Your Schedule?

One of the first things that you want to consider is the amount of time you will be able to devote to caring for your pet. Some pets require time-intensive training, and may need several hours to spend with you each day. Other pets only require minimal interaction, and for you to keep their feeding/water dishes filled.

How Old Are Your Children?

Children are a huge factor when it comes to choosing the perfect pet. Younger children may not be responsible enough to handle certain pets responsibly. For example, some small rodents may bite small children if they aren't handled gently. Some pets, such as reptiles, can become seriously injured if they are subject to rough handling at the hands of a child. For younger children, stick with pets that aren't easily injured, and won't bite when provoked. For older children, you will have a greater degree of flexibility when it comes to choosing the perfect pet.

How Big is Your Home?

Some pets will require a significant amount of room in order to be happy. For example, many people don't realize that at the very minimum, they may need at least 200 square feet for each cat in their household. Small pets that are kept in cages will not require much space, though you may need to give them a bigger cage so that they get enough exercise.

Does Anyone in Your Home Have Allergies?

Allergies are a huge factor for many people when they're choosing the perfect pet for their home. Many people mistakenly believe that they are allergic to the “fur” of animals. In fact, pet allergies are most commonly caused by the dander of certain pets. Dander is the dry microscopic particles of skin that are shed by many pets on a regular basis. Since dander is so small and light, it can cause immediate and long-lasting reactions in people with allergies. If someone in your home has an allergy to pets, consider adopting a pet that won't produce allergic reactions (such as a reptile or amphibious pet).