Which pet is best? Pets bring immense joy, peace and happiness into everyone’s life. A well-chosen pet can bring so much happiness and serenity to a family or home and help teach children responsibility, companionship and respect for living creatures.
But before you rush out to buy or adopt that cute pup or kitten you saw on sale at the pet shop, it is essential to consider whether the pet you chose fits in with your lifestyle, space limitations and the age group of your children. Not all pets are the same.
Pets
Every day, the number of people choosing to live in flats increases, especially in large and medium-sized cities. This means that more and more people are interested in knowing the best animals to have at home.
After all, it is hard to resist the idea of having a companion who brings joy into the home. However, several aspects must be considered before adopting a pet so we can both have a happy and healthy life. Undoubtedly, the space and time required by each species are vital factors in choosing the right pet for your lifestyle.
How to choose a pet
Small pets are often better suited for living in flats, as they are easier to care for and adapt to a smaller environment.
For example, what kind of pet are you looking for? A friend that offers you unconditional loyalty or a more independent partner? Think about your personality and the pet best suited to you. How much interaction do you intend to maintain with your pet? Are you looking for a friend who wants to walk and play daily, or do you prefer a quieter pet requiring less time and effort? Remember that some pets, such as fish, may not interact with humans as directly or be as communicative as others due to the inherent limitations of the species.
Also, remember to consider each species’ approximate life expectancy. Many pets, such as turtles, dogs, cats, and chinchillas, live long lives. However, some pets have much shorter longevity, such as hamsters, which generally only live for 2 to 4 years.
What to consider when choosing a pet
It would be best if you considered various aspects, including the following:
- Are you looking for an affectionate or independent pet?
- Do you want a familiar or exotic pet?
- Do you need a hypoallergenic pet?
- How much time can you devote to your pet?
- Can you meet all your pets’ needs in your daily routine?
- Finally, have you considered the economic part of keeping a pet?
Pets? 7 Aspects to consider before adopting them!
The first things to read and consider when choosing a suitable pet for your family are:
- Time to spare: Some pets are needier than others and require more attention or care. Do you have enough time for a dog? A fish might be more your style.
- Space: Do your house and yard have enough room for a large pet? Can you accommodate a hutch or chicken coop?
- Allergies: Some animals can trigger allergies for family members sensitive to pet hair or dust.
- Feeding and veterinary costs: A German shepherd’s veterinary and feeding costs differ quite from a hamster’s. Let’s do the maths before making an impulsive choice!
- Vaccination and sterilisation: You must agree with your vet on appropriate vaccinations and discuss sterilisation. Sterilisation is often strongly recommended for dogs and cats unless you want to breed.
- Microchipping and permits: you should microchip your pet and register it with your local council. Call your council or visit their website to learn the rules where you live, as they can vary from place to place.
- Travel: if you travel a lot, will they be able to come with you? Do you have friends or family who can feed and exercise them for you when you are away? If not, consider the expense of temporarily housing your dog in a pet-friendly home.
Which is the Right Pet for You?
Although several dubious breeders sell pigs that do not grow, the truth is that there is no such thing as a pig. If you are still willing to adopt a pig as a pet, bear in mind that your animal will grow, and you will need a suitable space to house it.
Assuming that the way of life each of us is strictly personal and that each person is free to choose with which animal owners to share their existence, let us try for a moment to amuse ourselves by imagining what might be the best animal-owner pairings about the environment and lifestyle of each of us.
So, which are the most suitable pets for people and animals? Let’s see them all!
Pets: top 14 pet choices
- Dogs
- Cats
- Guinea Pig
- Dwarf piglet
- Rabbits
- Hamsters
- Ferrets
- Chinchillas
- Hens
- Canaries
- Parrots
- Fish
- Reptiles
- Turtles
Young family and house with garden
Are you a young couple with children? And you could live in a house with a garden and have the family car parked in the driveway. Then, I think a friendly Labrador or Golden Retriever puppy in the ‘Marley and Me‘ style is just right for you.
Mind you, you don’t have to adopt a purebred dog: even a beautiful medium-large dog that promises lots of running and playing will do. Take care of him as a puppy; he will grow up with your children and become inseparable friends.
A childless couple in a medium-sized house
If, on the other hand, you are a young couple who has just decided to live in a house with plenty of space and loves cats, I recommend that you give free rein to your passions.
A loft is ideal for many cats to live together, but even a rather large house can be more than sufficient. A large room with plenty of height offers each group of cats its own space, which they can only share with the others if they want to.
Each can climb, run about everywhere and experience the environment in all three dimensions. On the other hand, the other cats, the lazier or shyer ones, can isolate themselves in a quiet place to sleep away from prying eyes.
Single in a small flat
The chinchilla is a small, adorable, cheerful, and affectionate animal. It is one of the best pets to have at home. Moreover, it has a long life expectancy, and in a comfortable environment, it can live more than 20 years.
Or are you single, living in a small flat, and still wanting to share your life with cats and a four-legged friend? Yes, but which one?
My answer is that it depends on your temperament.
If you are dynamic and love sports with dogs, I recommend a young dog—not necessarily a puppy—that is as dynamic and sporty as you are.
If, on the other hand, you prefer shopping and resting on the couch, you better opt for a small dog that can follow you around the city centre or a friendly kitten to stroke and spoil with tasty treats.
Companions of the same age: animals and their owners
For couples who are no longer young, live in flats and still want to get involved by adopting a wonderful animal, I recommend choosing a slightly older friend, just like them.
An elderly dog or cat living in a kennel for too long or an adult kitten looking for adoption.
Think of the love they could give you and that you will one day be able to give to the animal, ideal for endless days spent on the sofa reading a book, listening to your favourite music and stroking your friend sleeping next to you.
An eight-year-old dog is more manageable than an energetic puppy constantly demanding attention. An adult animal with its own life experiences and identity that consciously decides to spend time with you, stimulating you to take care of it, yes, but without stress and in complete harmony with your lifestyle.
And if you live in the countryside…
Young couple or not, with young children or without, if you live or have decided to move into a house in the country surrounded by a large piece of land, what are you waiting for?
Mind you, life in the country requires sacrifice and hard work, so everyone will have a role to play: dogs will be free to watch without disturbing the peace of the neighbours, cats will keep the mice away, goats and rabbits will mow the lawn, and in the chicken coop, you will find someone who will wake you up and provide you with breakfast every morning.
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