10+ Top Tips for Choosing the Right Family Pet (and What to Consider Before Making the Decision)

Pets are, almost always, cute and it’s hard not to fall in love with them. But, before taking one home, it is important to consider several aspects. Regardless of whether the option is for purchase or adoption, it is essential to assess issues related to your new friend’s health and everyone’s happiness. After all, some animals can live up to 80 years, depending on the species.

To help you decide, the awesome.club listed 10+ items that will facilitate the perfect choice. Because a pet is a responsibility and, before having one, we don’t always realize it. Check out the tips and then choose the best option with conscience.

If you live alone, the choice is private; but if you have a family, the decision will be everyone’s. In this case, the process must be joint, so that there is no problem when dividing responsibilities. It is important not to choose on the emotional side, as puppies are so cute that many times the choice follows only this aspect, which is a mistake.

One very important thing to consider is the expense that a pet will entail. Whatever the species, it is necessary to put at the tip of the pencil how much the “maintenance” of this new member of the family costs:

Visits to the veterinarian to check the health of the animal, give vaccines and medicine according to the deadlines of each animal; Clothes, bed, cage or aquarium, transport box, food bowls, hygiene items (such as pee sand) and food; Toys and treats.

Regardless of the species, it is always important to consider that there will be fixed and variable expenses – with a visit to the veterinarian in an emergency, for example. According to the Infomoney website, a small dog generates a monthly expense of BRL 216.50 and a large one, around BRL 411.32; cats cost, on average, R$ 121.39. The monthly costs with fish are R$ 66.50, on average. Rodents imply expenses of around BRL 55.50 per month; reptiles have a cost of approximately R$ 14.50. And the ones that spend the least are the birds, around R$ 7.80 each month.

Remembering that your new pet will be another member of the family, it is also important to consider a new concern: what to do when you go on a trip? Today there are many hotels and inns that have a pet friendly culture. They accept pets and even have specialized care. Some charge for the stay and some do not. So it’s worth researching if you want to take your pet along.

If you choose to leave him out of the trip, you also need to program yourself so that he is safe and well while you are out and about. Consider who you will leave it with. It could be a relative or friend, a pet shop, specialized hotels and caregivers registered in apps, for example. The important thing, in any case, is to be sure that he will be well taken care of. Therefore, visit the site and look for references before deciding.

For those who have a child at home, the choice has to be very careful. Prefer animals that are docile and that accept children’s curiosity well. Also check if your little one has any kind of allergy to hair, skin and feathers, for example. Pets are great companions for little ones. They help in boosting immunity and socialization.

Adapting your choice to the space you have at home is an important point. Research the animal you want to have and check in advance if it fits the size of your house or apartment. If you want a big dog, you must have a yard available. If you live in a small building or house, choose a small dog that doesn’t bark a lot. Or, consider adopting a bird, a fish or a turtle.

Keep in mind that large or fussy animals need plenty of room to play, run, eat, and eliminate. It is important to have compatibility between the pet and its owner. An elderly person or a child, for example, may stumble over a large dog. An overly quiet dog, on the other hand, may not keep pace with a child. So that this does not happen, ask for guidance from a veterinarian.

A very important thing is to assess whether you have time available to dedicate to your pet. Certain pets, like birds and fish, don’t mind being alone, but most dogs, for example, need attention. Some animals, if left without an owner nearby, will make a noise that will disturb the neighborhood, and may even damage things in the house or even get hurt due to anxiety.

Dogs are pets that need daily walks, as they like to socialize with other animals and people besides their owner. If you don’t have much time, you can choose to pay someone to take your pet for a few walks. There are people who do this work, including by application (here). But if there is no availability, choose a fish (or even a cat) and be happy.

Know that a dog lives on average 15 years and that the family’s life will have to adapt to this new reality. If you are single, imagine that your future spouse must like animals. Or, if you live on rent and need to move, it will have to be to another property that accepts pets. Remember that, from the moment he arrives at the house, he will be an integral part of the family and that it is not right to abandon him if his routine changes.

Research what you expect from a pet before choosing one. Know that there are pets of all kinds: large, medium and small, needy, noisy, lazy, sociable, introspective, jealous, calm, independent, territorialist, quarrelsome, noisy, sleepy, agitated, etc. So think hard about what you want and choose one that fits your lifestyle.

One last thing to think about is how long, on average, this animal will live and what care it may need as it gets older. A hamster lives on average 3 years and a dog about 14 years. And, like us, they will one day grow old and have all the difficulties of age. Consider then that it will probably be “slower” and give a little more work and expense at the end of life.

Dogs are famous for being companions and friends. They usually choose someone to follow and always be around. In general, they are emotionally dependent on their owners; therefore, if you don’t have a lot of time because you work outside, they may not be the best type of pet. A dog, however, is excellent company for those who enjoy walking and walking in the fresh air.

For those who want a more independent pet and have little space, a cat can be a good choice. He can be left alone at home without minding much and doesn’t tend to suffer from separation anxiety like dogs do. But it’s good to know that cats are more likely to cause allergies in some people than dogs. So consult an allergist first. Kittens also require less spending on bathing, food and “maintenance”.

For those who don’t have a lot of experience, time and space, a little fish might be a good idea. He just needs food, a decent sized aquarium, pump and filter. Maintenance is cheap and easy to do compared to a dog, for example. The demand for time is also more relaxed. All it takes is a little dedication to clean the aquarium and just a few minutes for feeding. But remember to consult with a professional regarding all these aspects.

The best known pet rodents are: hamster, gerbil, chinchilla and guinea pig. Like fish, they don’t need much care. It is enough to regularly feed and clean the cage from dirt. They are usually docile and are usually a good option for teaching children to be responsible. But it’s always important to always have an adult around when handling the animal. After all, the bite is painful.

Research which type of bird you want to have at home: ornamental, singing or contact. Some birds need authorization from IBAMA to be bred in captivity and it is necessary to verify that the seller has this permission. The most common birds are: cockatiel (which is super interactive), parakeet (playful) and parrot, an intelligent animal that learns to repeat words and phrases.

This type of animal also needs authorization from IBAMA to be sold in pet shops. To take care of it is very simple and easy; you just have to be aware of extreme temperatures, as they are cold-blooded animals. The most common are turtles. But there are also those who prefer the more exotic, such as snakes and iguanas. Research the care, which can vary greatly according to the species of reptile.

Did you like the tips? Do you already have a pet or want one? Tell us.