Man and Dog: A First Time Pet Owner's Guide to Choosing the Right Pet

The First-Time Pet Owner’s Guide to Choosing the Right Pet

So, you’ve decided to adopt and bring a new pet into your home for the first time. Owning a pet can be a rewarding experience that can not only teach a little something about responsibility but also reveal another side of you that you might’ve never known before. When deciding what kind of animal to bring into your home, there are a lot of considerations you need to make. Here is a guide to help break down the ins and outs of ownership, so that you can find the right pet for you.

Choosing the Right Pet for Your Home

Before you bring a pet into your home, you should make sure that your home is the right fit for your pet. The size of your pet plays a big part. Cats will do fine in small homes and apartments, but some dogs may need a little more room than a meager single bedroom apartment. If you decide to go for a larger breed of dog, then you should also be prepared to take frequent trips outside to give them a chance to stretch out and exercise.

Besides floor space, you should also consider your neighbors, especially when living in an apartment. While your complex may allow animals, you should still be conscientious about what kind of pet you bring into the community. Talkative birds or yappy dogs won’t make you any friends in your apartment building.

Once you find a pet that’s a good fit for your home, you will still need to make a few adaptations so that you and your pet cancomfortably coexist. For instance, cats and dogs will love to sleep on your comfy couches, but if you’d rather not have to deal with pet hair, then you might buy them their own cozy little bed to call their own. Of course, if you decide to go for a pet gerbil, fish, or reptile then you will need to buy the right kind of tank, bedding and a prime location in your home for them to reside.

Choosing the Right Pet for Your Lifestyle

Everyone lives their life differently, and if you’ve ever shared a living space with a roommate, then you already know that when lifestyles don’t mesh well together, problems are bound to arise. The same goes with bringing a pet into your home, which in a way is a lot like taking in a new roommate. If you decide to bring in a new puppy, then you should expect to take on the role of parent. Some animals demand more attention than others. Dogs may want to play games. Cats may want to sleep on your keyboard while you’re using it.

Athletic breeds of dogs such as retrievers will always want to get up and get out. If you’re content with spending the weekend holed up in your living room, then maybe a young energetic dog isn’t the right pet for you. In other words, you need to find a pet that fits your personality—an animal that gets you and can roll with your daily habits.

Choosing the Right Pet for Your Schedule

Another consideration to make is how often you will be away from your pet. Some pets won’t mind but others can get a little antsy when being left alone all day. Dogs can become especially anxious whenever they are home alone. If your work consistently keeps you away from most of your day, then you might consider hiring a professional dog walker to tend to your dog’s needs. They will make sure your dog is properly fed, hydrated and exercised.

Being a pet owner is a lot of responsibility, but also a lot of fun. It will take a little time for you to bond with your pet. In the first few weeks, you’ll learn a lot and have to make a few adjustments. Be patient, and soon you and your new pet will be living in perfect harmony.

Resources:
Stretch out and Exercise
Yappy Dogs Comfortably Co-Exist
Fits Your Personality
Bond with Your Pet
Pixabay.com

Jessica Brody
Ourbestfriends.pet
info@ourbestfriends.pet

Photo Credit: Pixabay.com

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