Having a pet can be a big commitment that comes with many responsibilities. Before you decide to buy a pet (or get one for your kids) ask yourself these questions…

1. Can I support/care for a pet right now?
Do you have enough time and attention right now to spend with an animal?

2. Have I done enough research?
Do you know what they need? Will you know what you’re doing?

3. Can I afford a pet?
Do you have the budget to buy the things they need?

Now, of course, all animals are different. They all have different lifespans, needs, behaviors, etc… Your answers to these questions may vary depending on what you are looking for. Just make sure you have done enough research and know what they need once you have decided what you want.

Your final decision should be based on what suits your personality and what works best with your lifestyle/needs.

*There are many pets to choose from. Work your way through this list of the more popular pets to see which one might work for you:

Pets Who Require the Most Time and Daily Care

Dogs

Dogs are a very popular choice for a pet. Dogs can be loyal, affectionate, entertaining and great long-term companions. Most dogs are considered “one of the family” and included on holidays, car rides, and other day to day activities. They are also gaining popularity as a stress and anxiety treatment.

Things to consider when buying a dog:

• They require a lot of care and training, especially as puppies.
• Dogs from a breeder can cost a lot of money (try the local SPCA)
• You will have regular vet check ups (and bills!)
• Larger dogs eat more than smaller ones, need bigger cages and other supplies

Dogs are also the most “high maintenance” of the pet world, as you need to take them out for walks, play with them, let them out for bathroom breaks, etc. As dogs age, they often need special food, medications and supports at home. Most dogs live between 10-15 years so it is a long term commitment!

Cats

Cats are another popular choice. They can be affectionate, playful, and are usually very independent. They are entertaining and don’t require a lot of space, as they can go “vertical” and explore the world off the floor (for better or worse). Studies have shown that petting a cat can actually lower your blood pressure and help with depression.

One of the biggest bonuses to owning a cat is that you don’t have to walk them! They are incredibly self-sufficient, and outdoor cats can even be let out to roam the neighborhood and explore on their own (please neuter your cats and get their regular shots!).

Things to consider when buying a cat:

• They require “potty training” and may pee and poo around the house when upset
• They need a litter box which requires daily cleaning
• Many people have cat allergies, so look for “hypo-allergenic” cats if possible
• Just like dogs, they also require regular check ups, and veterinary care/expenses.

Cats tend to shed a lot so be prepared for cat hair around the house. They also may damage your furniture, even with a cat scratcher in the house. If you have a small pet already in your home a cat may not be the best choice.

And speaking of small pets ….

Pets Who Require Less Daily Care (Caged Animals)

There are two defining features of having rodents as pets … they live in a cage … and they don’t live as long.

Maintenance wise, all small furry rodents need:

• a cage, please research this as most cages are far too small
• some kind of bedding to catch their pee and poo
• food (pellets, fresh vegetables & hay),
• a hut to hide/sleep in
• a water bottle

Once you have the basics of “cage life’ covered, each animal has a few little differences to think about.

Guinea Pigs and Rabbits

Guinea pigs and rabbits make great pets. They are very affectionate and sociable. They love to cuddle and are a great pet for beginners. Guinea pigs usually live for about 5-8 years and rabbits up to 10 years, so while they don’t live as long as cats and dogs, they are still a fairly big commitment.

Guinea pigs and rabbits are herd animals and  need a friend, so if you just want one pet this may not be the right option for you. They also require some sort of daily attention, including holding them and getting them out of the cage for a while. Happy guinea’s and rabbits will often make cute noises to show their feelings. The cages will fill with poo each day, but are easy to clean as the poo ends up like hard little pellets which you can simple scoop up and spot clean.

Speaking of the cage, guinea pig cages you see in the store are far too small. We recommend you make your own cage using this DIY Guinea Pig Cage tutorial. Commercial rabbit cages are usually fine.

Hamsters

A hamster is a great choice for a furry friend. They are a solitary species, meaning they live alone. They are pretty easy to care for, cute and clean. Hamsters are also a more silent pet- except maybe when running on their wheel, which they do a LOT at night. You may not want their cage in a child’s bedroom, unless the wheel is fairly quiet. They have been known to bite, but handling them often and with clean hands (that don’t smell like food) will make them used to being handled.

They are curious, busy creatures, and should have tunnels and chew toys to keep them busy. Hamsters usually have a lifespan of about 2-3 years and are nocturnal.

Gerbils

Gerbils are a great choice for somebody who is looking for an active and small pet. They are sociable (they need to live with at least one other buddy) and rarely bite. They love being handled and played with. They also don’t tend to drink as much as other animals so the cage rarely smells bad. Cleaning their cage is easier than some other animals because their poo is tiny.

They usually live for about 2-4 years and make great companions when tamed. They have a shy/nervous personality until they get to know you so be prepared for patience and step by step handling until they are willing to crawl on to your hand. (Click here for a Guide to Gerbil Care)

Mice

Mice may not be everyone’s first choice but they make great pets. They are small, playful, and pretty tidy. They are also pretty inexpensive and don’t take up too much space. Mice can also be very entertaining, you’ll be able to watch them run on their wheel, burrow, groom, etc. They also like socializing and being held.

If you are looking for a pet for a younger child, a mouse isn’t the right option. They can be hard to handle for little hands, and can be seriously hurt if dropped. A mouse usually lives for 1-3 years.

Reptiles (Lizards, turtles, snakes)

We are grouping reptiles in to the “caged animals” category despite having some obvious differences, because they are smaller and kept in a tank. Whether it’s a bearded dragon, gecko, snake, turtle or lizard … reptiles make fascinating pets. They need to be kept in a glass enclosure, typically a fish tank or specialty reptile tank. They require a heat lamp and live food, making them a more expensive pet. They also have one of the longest lifespan of all the animals on this list, sometimes in the decades!

Birds

Birds make cute and colourful companions. There are tons of varieties, from the little guys right up to a parrot or macaw. They are very interactive, and have the famous “voice” and singing capabilities. There are tons of fun toys and cage accessories to keep life interesting for these smart, active pets.

They require a lot of care and attention, so if nobody is home all day a bird may not be the right pet for you. They can get messy as well and you will need to provide food, water, help with grooming, and time outside of their cage. Birds are also a big commitment to make, some can live up to 100 years! If you like the quiet a bird probably isn’t the right option for you because they can make a lot of noise. Birds are also not suitable for cuddling and may try to nibble on furniture. They will need an appropriately sized cage, a stand, food, water, and toys.

Fish

Fish are probably the easiest pet to care for. If you are busy, travel a lot, and don’t have a lot of free time. They are quiet and it can be calming to watch them swim past the glass. You can also decorate their tank with fun accessories, including making a coral and sea anemone undersea world. Some people go wild with their fish tanks, making them wall-sized and including rare exotic water creatures!

Of course, as with all pets there are some downsides. For one, fish don’t have long lifespans and death can be common. You will also occasionally have to clean their tank to make sure they are living in a healthy environment. The water in the tank needs to stay clean and not get too acidic from waste. The set up can be expensive at first, but after the initial expense maintenance is pretty cheap.

… We hope you learned a bit about the pros and cons of each animal and make the best choice for you and your family.