When selecting household pets, there are two things that are of primary importance. The first is the type of care that you and your family can give to a pet. The second is the type of pet that is best suited to your household. Keep in mind that household pets are living, sentient creatures that are completely dependent on you for their care and well-being, so it is important to prioritize the well-being of the animal when making a decision. If you take time to consider the schedules and preferences of household members as well as the needs of specific animals, you can narrow down the sorts of household pets with whom you and your family are compatible.
When selecting a type of pet, you should consider your budget, how often you and other family members are at home, and whether you and your family members have any specific concerns, such as allergies. Dogs, for example, do best in households where they have regular interaction with family members. If someone is not home regularly to let a dog outside for toileting or take the dog for walks, it is generally best to choose a different type of pet. Cats are decidedly more independent, but still require regular feeding, litter box maintenance, and human interaction. If you or a family member have allergies, you may wish to look into a fish or reptile, as these typically do not trigger allergies in people.
Once you've selected the type of animal you would like to bring into your home, you may wish to look into specific breeds. Some breeds may have characteristics that are best suited for your household and so can be helpful to do some research. For example, some dog breeds are better with children than others. If you have a small home, you may also be concerned about adopting or purchasing an animal that might become very large. Understanding characteristics of different breeds is an important step in choosing household pets and can help prevent the tragedy of later having to give up the pet due to size or behavior issues.
After you've decided on a type and breed of pet, you should begin looking into places where you can adopt or purchase your new animal companion. As many animal shelters currently house numerous homeless pets, you may wish to consider adopting an animal rather than purchasing one. A good animal shelter will have sensitive staff that can assist you in choosing the right pet for you. Otherwise, you should investigate the reputation of breeders before choosing one to work with.
