Pets are a nice addition to any family. Aside from being fun to play around with, studies have shown the therapeutic benefits of raising a pet. They help relieve stress and are suitable in teaching kids the value of responsibility and caring for life. However, in choosing the right kind of pet to take home to your family, you must take into consideration a number of factors. The decision of what kind of animal to raise should be a family decision as everyone will be living with this new family member and should play a part in raising and caring for it.
Next, you would be smart to do a pretty comprehensive review of your family's lifestyle. Think about things like whether your children are mature enough to spend time with pets, whether or not anyone in the family has allergies that may restrict your choices, how much you care about furniture and other items that some kinds of pets may damage, how much time your family spends outdoors, and what kinds of animals can be accommodated in your home and yard. Families who opt for quiet indoor times and stress the importance of a tidy home might not like the idea of getting a free roaming cat or dog with a high energy level. However, dogs make great companions and playmates, especially for families willing and able to play with them outdoors. In addition, dogs can provide some level of security, depending on the breed.
If you are on a tight budget, that too may be a factor in the pet you ultimately choose. You can find lots of information online about the cost of supporting a pet. Expenses may include, but are not limited to, food, nutritional supplements, vaccinations, preventive medical care, toys, accessories, and periodic boarding. Of course, some pets have far fewer needs than others.
Consider also the average time that family members will have available to spend with your pet. Generally, pets like cats and dogs will require more training and socialization, including house training, than pets like rabbits, fish, and birds, which spend most of their time in contained areas, as opposed to roaming freely in your house or apartment.
Perhaps the best suggestion for anyone considering a pet is to involve their entire family in the process. After all, almost any pet, even one as unobtrusive as a fish, will impact, at least a little, everyone. In most cases, even if there is a primary caretaker for a pet, everyone chips in. In fact, many parents think that pets help bring the family together and can be used to teach children responsibility. Even young children, with a bit of supervision, can often feed, help wash, and exercise pets. There is no reason to sugar coat the fact that some pets require a lot of work. Be realistic about whether or not you have the time, energy, and patience for such a pet. All of this may sound like a tedious, difficult process, but there is nothing more rewarding than finding the right pet.
Next, you would be smart to do a pretty comprehensive review of your family's lifestyle. Think about things like whether your children are mature enough to spend time with pets, whether or not anyone in the family has allergies that may restrict your choices, how much you care about furniture and other items that some kinds of pets may damage, how much time your family spends outdoors, and what kinds of animals can be accommodated in your home and yard. Families who opt for quiet indoor times and stress the importance of a tidy home might not like the idea of getting a free roaming cat or dog with a high energy level. However, dogs make great companions and playmates, especially for families willing and able to play with them outdoors. In addition, dogs can provide some level of security, depending on the breed.
If you are on a tight budget, that too may be a factor in the pet you ultimately choose. You can find lots of information online about the cost of supporting a pet. Expenses may include, but are not limited to, food, nutritional supplements, vaccinations, preventive medical care, toys, accessories, and periodic boarding. Of course, some pets have far fewer needs than others.
Consider also the average time that family members will have available to spend with your pet. Generally, pets like cats and dogs will require more training and socialization, including house training, than pets like rabbits, fish, and birds, which spend most of their time in contained areas, as opposed to roaming freely in your house or apartment.
Perhaps the best suggestion for anyone considering a pet is to involve their entire family in the process. After all, almost any pet, even one as unobtrusive as a fish, will impact, at least a little, everyone. In most cases, even if there is a primary caretaker for a pet, everyone chips in. In fact, many parents think that pets help bring the family together and can be used to teach children responsibility. Even young children, with a bit of supervision, can often feed, help wash, and exercise pets. There is no reason to sugar coat the fact that some pets require a lot of work. Be realistic about whether or not you have the time, energy, and patience for such a pet. All of this may sound like a tedious, difficult process, but there is nothing more rewarding than finding the right pet.
About the Author:
Will Ryan writes about families, online colleges, scholarships, hobbies, and careers.
No comments:
Post a Comment