Pets are great companions and can bring happiness to any home, but because they’re a forever commitment, great care must be taken to ensure an appropriate choice.
It’s easy to fall in love with a friend’s cute kitten or puppy, a squawking parrot at the zoo, or an aquarium full of exotically hued fish swimming around a coral reef at an upscale restaurant. However, far too many pets are brought home without consideration of the time, expense, and effort required to care for them. Many are chosen on impulse, as was seen in a boom in demand for Chihuahuas when Paris Hilton, who rose to fame as a reality star, had one that was essentially a fashion accessory. Others end up being incompatible with their owner’s lifestyle, home, or attention span.
Begin With a Question
How to choose the right one starts with a few simple questions, including, “Why do I want a pet?” The answer will go a long way toward a wise selection.As an example, if the reason is to add life to an apartment, but to do so without creating undue responsibilities, consider a betta fish. Colorful and active, bettas are a very approachable way to ease into pet ownership. Unlike aquarium fish, bettas don’t require an air pump and filtration system, and can be kept nourished via food tablets that keep them fed for several days. The bowl water does need to be changed periodically using tap water that’s first treated with a conditioner before putting the fish in it.
The next step up in fish ownership is a freshwater aquarium complete with a filtration system; these require a lot more attention and upkeep than a betta, making a small 5-gallon aquarium stocked with several neon tetras a good choice for beginners. The ultimate in swimming pets are saltwater species; these require specialized aquariums, complex filtration systems, and extensive attention to ward off any problems. Some owners of saltwater aquariums hire experts to tend to the fish and their environment on a regular basis.
Pets for Beginners
The next step up in the pet world are hamsters and guinea pigs. These can be very friendly and playful creatures that can be let out of their cages to play, but are strictly indoor pets.
Another indoor pet category is that of birds. Ranging from a tiny finch to a larger-than-life macaw, birds are extremely intelligent and known to forge lifelong bonds, which in the case of the macaw, can be as long as 60 years. Although some owners do take parrots and similar species outside with them, most birds are kept indoors, which makes it important to choose a cage that’s properly sized to allow exercise and comfort.
Families with children may be hesitant to add a dog to the household, but many breeds are well-suited to being around young children and can be very protective of them. The simple rule is the larger the dog, the more room it needs to stay healthy and happy. Large breeds are often appealing but don’t do well in the close confines of a small apartment, making a Yorkie or other small breed perhaps a better choice in that situation.
