The right furry – or feathered – friend can have a huge impact on your mental health, so make sure you make the best choice for you and your lifestyle.
How much time do you spend at home on an average day? Puppies and kittens need more physical and emotional involvement with people so are not ideal if you are away from home more than six hours a day, whereas adult pets can more easily adjust to your schedule. Some dogs never grow accustomed to being left alone. If all of your family members are away from home more than eight hours most days, a dog may not be the appropriate choice for your household and you might want to consider adopting an adult cat (or two) instead.
Are there children in your home? While many families think they want “a pet for the children,” it actually takes a very special combination of parent/child/pet to have a successful relationship. If the child is under six years old, the pet should be over four months old. Puppies and kittens play roughly, and without careful supervision and training, both your child and your pet could have a bad experience.
Will this pet be a companion to another pet? It’s best to introduce a younger animal to an adult resident pet in your household, but not too young. Very young pets lack the social graces to read your older pet’s would-be irritation and the reflexes to escape if the situation becomes tense. From four to 14 months old is a good age range to introduce a puppy or kitten to your adult pet.
Do you prefer a certain physical appearance, colouring or coat? If you like big cats, shiny dogs or fluffy coats, you can do some educated guessing with a puppy or kitten, but you’ll still be guessing. By the time a cat or dog is about six months old, their physical traits will be clear, plus you’ll be able to see what kind of personality traits go along with the package.
Are you a neat freak? If a little shedding or housetraining is enough to set you on edge, you might be looking for a pet whose messes are a little more contained. In that case, an animal that lives in an aquarium or terrarium might be right for you. If you’re fine with a little bit of mess, look for a Chow Chow that needs a good home!
Are you looking for affection from your pets? Not all dogs are lap dogs, and some cats do want to curl up with you. It depends on the species and the breed of any pet you come across. In general, dogs are some of the most affectionate animals around. From actual lap dogs like the loving cavalier King Charles spaniel, to great Danes that think they’re lap-sized, there’s little match for a dog’s willingness to cuddle. However, pigs and even rats are also known to be very affectionate as well. While not exactly a house pet, we have to mention that horses are also super affectionate–often nuzzling up to their owners.
Are you active or do you prefer the couch? Some pets love to play and have loads of energy to use up daily. If you aren’t the type of person who wants to spend an hour a day playing with an energetic puppy then an older pet would be a better option for you. Older pets that find themselves in shelters often have a harder time getting adopted than puppies and kittens. There might be an older pet out there right now just looking to share a warm spot on the couch with you.
Do you want a pet that will participate with you in outdoor activities? If you want a dog to take hiking and camping, to play ball or swim in the dam with you, then consider a teenage or young adult dog. For major outdoor activities a dog should be a certain size and have natural hardiness. Not all dogs (even retrievers) are naturally inclined towards catching things. In addition, dogs that are involved in these types of activities must have excellent social manners.
Happy searching!
