From companionship, to helping your children learn responsibility, there are many benefits of adding a pet to your family. Before you make the commitment, there are a few important things to consider to make sure you’re making a pawsome choice. Check out our guide and also some fun pet facts to share with kids.
5 Things to Consider Before Getting a Pet
1. Your family’s lifestyle. Are you home a lot or are you out of the home for extended periods of time for work, school and after school activities? Do you travel for work, sports or vacation? Some pets are fine being alone for the majority of the day or even for a few days at a time, while others need food, potty breaks and socialization throughout the day.
2. How much care does the pet require and who will do the majority of the care? Even the easiest pet requires some basic care such as food and a clean environment. Although your child might want their own pet, it’s important to establish who will actually be doing most of the work such as giving the pet food and water, cleaning up after the pet and making sure it stays healthy with vet visits.
3. What is the average life expectancy of the pet? Did you know a goldfish can live 10-15 years? Pets become a big part of your family and could be around well after your child goes to college! Check the lifespan of the type of pet you’re considering and make sure it fits in with your long-term family plans.
4. Expense. From food and supplies to vet bills, pets can be costly. Come up with an idea of what you’ll need to spend monthly on food and supplies, and yearly on vet appointments. You may also need to consider boarding or pet sitting services if you travel.
5. Is your home and yard pet-friendly? Before you bring home your new fluffy friend, familiarize yourself with your homeowners association guidelines. Some associations may have pet restrictions such as how many pets you can have, what types of pets you can have, weight limits and breed restrictions. You should also consider your yard and neighborhood surroundings.
What Pet Should You Get?
According to Forbes 2024 Pet Ownership Statistics, 66% of U.S. households (86.9 million homes) own a pet with dogs being the most popular pet, followed by cats, freshwater fish and small animals such as hamsters, guinea pigs, etc.
Small birds such as parakeets, conures and cockatiels are also popular pet picks. Be prepared for hours of entertainment with their singing as well as household noise and voice mimicking. Birds are social creatures and bond to their human family.
In addition to traditional household pets, small farm animals like chickens, rabbits and even goats can also be a great family addition (just make sure your city or neighborhood doesn’t have any farm animal restrictions). Children may also be able to participate in local 4-H programs with these types of pets.
If you prefer something slithery, scaly or hard-shelled, a reptile might be the pet for you. Despite their intimidating appearance, many reptiles can be a gentle companion and a great first pet.
Volunteer or Foster
Not sure if you’re ready for a long-term commitment? Consider volunteering your time at a local animal shelter. You’ll be able to care for different types of animals and familiarize yourself with different animal personalities and breeds. In addition to cats and dogs, some shelters also have small animals such as guinea pigs and bunnies.
Fostering is another great way to try a pet before committing to a forever home. Foster families care for a pet in their home for a temporary period of time. The family can choose to adopt the pet or allow it to go to another family who may be a better fit.
8 Fun Pet Facts
1. A dog’s nose print is unique, much like a person’s fingerprint.
2. Cats can jump six times their height.
3. Bearded dragons, iguanas and some other lizards have three eyes (two in the front and one on the top of their head called a parietal eye).
4. Hamsters can learn their name and learn tricks.
5. You can tell a goldfish’s age by its scales. Every year a goldfish is alive, it develops individual rings on the scale, similar to an aging tree.
6. Cockatiels are great at imitating sounds such as ringing phones or a doorbell. They can also learn tricks such as waving, bowing and dancing.
7. Guinea pigs do a jump called “popcorning” when they’re excited or happy.
8. Hermit crabs change their shell as they grow. 3-5 larger shells per crab should always be available.