If you have young children then the right pet can make a world of difference to your home life. A pet can offer love and companionship for your whole family, and help children to learn responsibility and become more engaged.
Choosing a suitable family pet can be difficult due to the amount of investment and pressure that can go into the decision. You don’t want to risk younger children failing to bond or be interested in a pet you choose. That’s why this guide is here to help you understand how to choose the right pet for your growing family.
The Top Family-Friendly Pets
- Dogs: This has to be the number one choice for a lot of families and individuals alike. Dogs will always offer affection and entertainment for families, as well as the perfect excuse to become more active.
- Cats: Cats can offer just as much love and affection as dogs, but they don’t require as much attention, which means they are perfect for families who don’t want a demanding pet, or if you’d prefer a pet that doesn’t need to be walked.
- Rabbits: This pet can be perfect for young children as they are low-maintenance and cuddly. Rabbits also help to build responsibility due to the cleaning routine needed for their hutch or cage.
- Hamsters or guinea pigs: These are popular choices for families and younger children, as they don’t take up a lot of space and they can easily be nestled in your kid’s bedroom. They are cuddly and interesting enough for young children, too.
How to Choose the Right Pet
- Think About Petcare Bills
Leading on from the previous point, any future family plans may also affect your spare cash and outgoings. Any new pet will need to be cared for with petcare investment and regular vet bills. Looking for an affordable vet solution, such as with easyvet.com, does mean that you can limit your expenses, but whatever animal you choose, it’s important you can afford it comfortably alongside your everyday family outgoings.
- Think About Your Future Plans
The right family pet needs to take into account your current family members and any future ones. If you have plans for a new baby (or perhaps even more) in the near future, your family pet needs to fit into these arrangements. Large pets such as dogs and cats may not react positively to a newborn, and it’s difficult to know this in advance. If you’d prefer to avoid the risk, or if you simply don’t have the energy or time for a pet like a dog (which needs to be walked every day) if you have a newborn, then you may want a more low-maintenance pet that lives in a cage.
- Don’t Be Impulsive
There are many opportunities to get up close and personal with a variety of animals. You may want to take your family to a pet store and learn more about certain animals, or gauge your child’s reaction to a particular animal. You may want to visit a dog or cat shelter, or maybe even adopt an animal for a short period of time to see how it would work for your family.
In Conclusion
Family-friendly pets need to take into account suitability for small children, your family budget, and also your lifestyle. Check out mychickencoop.com.au