Most fish need plenty of space to swim around. The larger the fish (and the more fish), the larger the tank you’ll need. Research the tank size requirements for any aquatic creatures that you’re thinking about getting.
Consider recreating a specific aquatic ecosystem. Read about which fish to put together in a tank. You don’t want your creatures to fight, eat each other, or compete for resources!
On a more regular scale, you’ll need to commit to regular cage cleaning and bird grooming. Cages need to be cleaned weekly, and birds should be misted every few days. They also need at least several hours a day of interaction with a human. A lone bird can get bored easily. It can develop bad habits of over-grooming and over-eating which can be life-threatening if left untreated. Toys and appropriate avian companions can help mitigate this issue, but they still require interaction with the family.
Make sure that you’re able to cater to the dietary needs of your reptile. Most reptiles are carnivores or omnivores, and will need to eat other animals like mice, crickets, rabbits, and birds. You can usually find these foods already killed and prepared at a local pet store, but some reptiles may require live food. Understand the thermal needs of your reptilian pet. Reptiles are coldblooded and will need an environment that is warm, enclosed, and properly sized. This can become an expensive endeavor, and it is known to surprise new reptilian owners. Since reptiles can be purchased quite cheaply, people are unwilling to spend money to meet their very specific needs. Consider whether you’re ready to care for a reptile for many years. Some reptiles can live for up to 40 years – or even as much as 100 years. Make sure that you have enough space. Snakes and some lizards can grow to very large sizes (over ten feet long), whilst others stay very small (under one foot long), so once again it is important to decide what type you want before you set up an enclosure.
Are you ready to care for a rodent that may live up to three years? For some, three years can be a long time. For others, three years is much too short. The grief of losing a pet is inherent to the joy of owning a pet. [4] X Research source
Who will look after your pet when you go away for a while? Check for the availability of boarding kennels and pet sitters in your area, if you do not have friends or family who are willing to care for your pet when you are away. If you’re out of the house a lot, a dog or cat may not be the right pet for you. Do you move around a lot? Dogs and cats can become stressed if they are moved from home to home. This can cause long term behavioral problems.
Most dogs have to be walked everyday, and have to go outside to relieve themselves. Cats also need plenty of exercise and social interaction. [7] X Research source Star of Texas Veterinary Hospital. Veterinarians. Are you getting an adult pet or a young pup or kitten? If it’s the latter, make sure the baby is old enough to be separated from the mother. Younger animals need a lot of care and affection. Keep in mind, that they require more nurturing and a lot of looking after. This means major time commitment on your part.
Can you pay for obedience training? Having an unruly animal can play havoc with your life. Even if you decide not to attend a formal obedience program, you should be prepared to doing some reading and apply necessary discipline for basic training. Bigger animals are going to cost you more in the long run since they eat more food and may have larger vet bills. [9] X Research source Star of Texas Veterinary Hospital. Veterinarians. Can you afford yearly vet bills and unexpected vet bills from accidents or illnesses? Surgeries and emergency medical procedures can cost thousands of dollars. [10] X Research source
Some cat breeds (like the Siamese) are very affectionate. They can’t be left alone for long periods of time. Left alone, they can become depressed or develop separation anxiety. If you work long hours or can’t be home all the time, you might want to reconsider owning a Siamese cat and look for another breed of cat. Climate can affect what kind of breed or species of pet you’d like to own. Most pet birds, for instance, do best in temperatures around 70 °F (20 °C). [11] X Research source If you live in a colder environment, it’s important to keep your pet bird indoors or another warm space. Many escaped birds die from exposure to the cold. Each breed of a species has its own unique grooming needs. A long-haired cat will need to be groomed daily, while some short-haired cats may only need grooming once a week.
Young pets: Young pets need lots of attention and training. For dogs and cats, they will need to be house trained. For smaller animals like rodents and birds, constant attention and feedings will need to take place as you will be taking on the role of surrogate mother. Some young pets can also damage your home as baby animals often play bite, chew or scratch furniture, or soil your furniture. Some young pets will also need to be fixed and vaccinated. If you have young children in the home, you’ll need to make sure your pets and children play safely together as both child and baby pet are quite fragile. As well, a young pet’s temperament or personality may change as they become older. Mature pets: Adult pets can be difficult to bond with, especially if they had been previously mistreated or abused. It may take longer for an adult pet to warm up to you or get settled in their new environment. However, an adult pet’s personality will remain the same. So what you see and observe initially about the pet, is probably what you’ll be experiencing when you bring the pet home. Plus, an adult pet may need little to no obedience training. Adult dogs and cats can play and interact with young children safely. In shelters, adult pets are often never given a second chance, so adopting a mature pet means you’re saving a life.
Animal shelters. Millions of pets are euthanized each year because they were never adopted or the shelter could no longer support the amount of animals coming in each year. Adopting from a shelter potentially means saving an animal from euthanasia or a lifetime behind bars. The cost of adopting a pet from a shelter is quite reasonable and all pets are vaccinated and fixed before they’re allowed to be adopted out. Shelter staff also know the animals very well and can help you choose the right pet for you. Breeders. It is extremely important that you choose a pet from a responsible and reputable breeder that is knowledgeable about the breed of pet they are selling. Breeders should always provide plenty of space, food, and water for their animals. They should also have properly socialized their animals before allowing them to be purchased and should never allow an animal to be purchased before they are properly socialized. Pets from breeders can be quite expensive, but is a good resource if you are looking for purebred pets. Pet stores. Some pet stores act as adoption agencies that work with local shelters to help adopt out pets. They may also care for and sell their own pets, allowing you to view their pets’ living conditions.
A busy schedule can make it hard to keeps a pet that needs a lot of attention. Some dogs, horses, rats, and cats need to be exercised by taking them out on walks or setting aside time to play with them. Pets often require established feeding times. You will need to remember to feed your pet or come up with alternative ways to ensure your pet has had enough food every day. This is especially the case if your lifestyle includes being away from home for long periods of time. It can be stressful to own certain pets if you travel a lot or work long hours outside of the home. Large, active pets like cats and dogs need to socialize and be socialized. Being home alone all day can negatively impact your pet’s emotional and physical well-being. You may need to hire a pet-sitter, bring your pet to a “pet daycare,” or choose a pet that can be home alone for long hours. [13] X Research source
Find out if you or anyone is allergic to a certain animal. Moderate allergies to pets can be controlled but severe allergies can pose dangerous health risks. If you are uncertain if you or someone has pet allergies, visit an allergist to help you determine if anyone is allergic to a certain animal. Having pets when there are young children or pregnant people in the home can be difficult. A pet may experience high levels of stress with little children around or the addition of a new pet can put a strain in the lives of a family that is expecting.
Get permission in writing and have your lease or contract updated. Word of mouth or permission granted vocally is often unreliable. Written proof can come in handy if you run into problems later on. Check your municipal, county, or provincial laws if you’re planning to own an exotic animal or if you are importing an animal. If you’re importing an animal from outside the country, check with airlines and Customs or Port Authority on the necessary paperwork and quarantine procedures for animals coming from the source country. These regulations can change between borders without notice at any given time, depending on health regulations. Some pets need large open spaces to live in. Most pets can live in small homes as long as they have the opportunity to go outside or have plenty of indoor stimulation through play or interaction with others.
Vet appointments. With any pet, regular health checks done by your veterinarian is important. If you’re thinking about owning an exotic animal, you may need to find specialized veterinarians that are experienced in caring for them. Vaccinations and other preventive medications. Certain pets need to be vaccinated to prevent the spread of common pet diseases. You may also choose to protect your pet by giving them monthly preventative medications that protect them from fleas, heartworm, and other parasites. Neutering. Unless you’re a breeder, most pets that are mammals like dogs, cats, horses, and rats, will need to go through an operation to be neutered or spayed. Having your pet fixed helps keep your pet healthy by preventing unwanted pregnancies and other health concerns such as cancer. Neutering also improves your pet’s quality of life. Unfixed pets face behavioral problems that can cause stress to both you and your pet. Accidents and illnesses. When your pet is ill or gets into an accident, treatment can be extensive both mentally, physically, and financially. You will need to prepare for costly vet bills in case of emergencies. Pet Insurance. Some pet owners purchase pet insurance to help pay for unexpected pet illnesses, accidents, and veterinarian visits. Supplies. Food, toys, and grooming supplies will be need to be regularly purchased by you. Training and daycares. Some pets will need to attend obedience or training classes. Some pets can’t be left unattended and will need to be put in daycares or other facilities that care for them while you’re away.
