Pets are the family.
When looking for the right pet for your home and lifestyle, you’re not just choosing an animal; you’re adding a new member to your family. Unlike our biological relatives, we have the privilege of selecting our pets. However, this choice can be overwhelming, given the multitude of options available from rescue sites, humane organizations, stores, breeders, and online platforms like Petfinder.
With so many adorable faces and compelling stories, how do you narrow down your search to find the right pet for your home and lifestyle?

7 Key Considerations for Choosing the Right Pet to Suit Your Home and Lifestyle

1. Allergies

Allergies are a crucial consideration when selecting the right pet for your home and lifestyle. Some individuals may be allergic to the dander or saliva of dogs and cats, which can trigger allergic reactions or worsen asthma symptoms. In the United States alone, over 50 million people have allergies, and 24 million have asthma. While allergies can be managed with medical care, it’s essential to be mindful of potential allergic reactions in your family and visitors.

It’s important to note that there is no such thing as a completely nonallergenic dog. However, certain breeds of dogs and cats are considered “low-allergen” because they shed less. For individuals with severe pet allergies, birds, reptiles, fish, and short-haired rodents may be a more suitable choice.

2. Your Space

When choosing the right pet for your home and lifestyle, consider your living space. Some pets require more room to thrive than others, and certain landlords or management companies may not permit pets. Fortunately, resources are available to help you locate pet-friendly housing. It’s important to note that some helper animals, such as emotional support animals and service animals, are legally allowed to reside with you, even in properties that typically do not allow pets.

To enhance your pet’s environment, consider providing “environmental enrichment.” This includes providing safe toys for your pet, as well as puzzles for dogs or cats that are often used during feeding to prevent them from eating too quickly. Additionally, ensure your pet has areas where they can explore and hide. You can also get creative with your space to accommodate your pet while being mindful that you are sharing your space with them.

3. Your Life

When considering the right pet for your home and lifestyle, it’s important to think about how they will fit into your daily life. While living with pets offers numerous physical and mental health benefits, it also requires a significant commitment of time and effort. Are you prepared to ensure your dog or cat receives enough exercise, regular veterinary care, training, and socialization?

Even if you have a fenced-in yard, dogs will still need walks, and some breeds require more exercise than others. Cats also need ample entertainment, so be sure to play with them using cat-safe toys. For example, I enjoy playing with my cat Pearl when she’s in the mood, which not only entertains her but also strengthens our bond.

4. Age

Raising a cat or dog from a young age can be incredibly rewarding, but it comes with its challenges. Puppies and kittens require a significant amount of work and attention. When you’re faced with those adorable, pleading faces, it’s important to consider several factors: potty or litter training, socialization, spaying and neutering, and the potential for them to occasionally destroy things like furniture and shoes.

If you’re seeking a more relaxed companion, adopting an adult or senior animal could be the perfect fit for your home and lifestyle. These animals have typically been around the block and can offer a calm and loving presence in your home.

5. Personality & Temperament

Before bringing a new companion into your home, it’s essential to meet them in person. While online photos can be enticing, they may not accurately reflect a pet’s personality and energy level, which are crucial factors for a good match. Consider adopting from a reputable humane organization or rescue group with a foster system, as they can provide valuable insights into the pet’s behavior and needs.

Many states are taking steps to regulate “puppy mills,” so adopting from a shelter or rescue is often a more ethical choice than buying from a breeder. While it may take time to find the right pet, stores that collaborate with rescue shelters can be a good option. These organizations ensure that pets are spayed or neutered, microchipped, and vaccinated before adoption.

Foster pets offer the added benefit of insights from their foster families about their behavior and compatibility with other animals and humans. Most organizations allow you to meet the pet before adopting and may even offer a trial visit to ensure a good fit for your home and lifestyle.

6. Life Span

When choosing the right pet for your home and lifestyle, it’s important to consider their lifespan. Cats typically live around 15 years, while dogs live around 12 years on average. However, these are just averages, and your pet may live longer or shorter than expected.

Are you emotionally prepared to outlive your pet? It’s a significant consideration for pet parents. Additionally, caring for an elderly or sick pet requires extra time and financial resources. You’ll need to think about end-of-life care and euthanasia, which is a humane way to end a pet’s life when they’re suffering.

Thinking about these aspects is crucial when deciding if you’re ready to welcome a pet into your home and life.

7. Financial Situation

When considering the right pet for your home and lifestyle, it’s important to factor in the cost of care. According to research, caring for a cat can cost upwards of $1,000 a year, while caring for a dog can cost around $3,000 a year after covering one-time expenses, as reported by the ASPCA. Some pets may have more needs than others, leading to increased costs.

To ensure your pet’s well-being, it’s crucial to schedule regular check-ups to keep them vaccinated and protected against parasites and diseases. While pet care can be expensive, some veterinarians offer payment plans and assistance for low-income individuals. Programs like the One Health Organization’s Veterinary Care Voucher program are also available to help with the cost of veterinary care.

Considering these factors is essential when determining if you’re prepared to welcome a pet into your home and provide for its needs.

 

Dogs Needs

Socialization is crucial for dogs to live happily among humans. However, some dogs have experienced abuse or neglect before entering a shelter system. Welcoming a dog that has suffered trauma or neglect into your home and helping them heal can be incredibly rewarding, but it requires extra time and patience to earn their trust.

These dogs may initially be wary of human contact and may not immediately seek affection. It’s important to understand that they may need professional help from a trainer or behaviorist and gradual introductions to new situations. If you’re adopting a high-needs dog, be prepared to invest extra patience, time, and money into their care and rehabilitation.

Cats Needs

Some people underestimate the care required for cats, assuming they are easier than dogs. While cats may not need (or enjoy) walking on leashes like dogs, they do require attention, love, and play to channel their hunting instincts.

It’s recommended that cats remain indoors to prevent accidents, such as being run over by cars or contracting parasites or diseases. However, some cats may benefit from outside stimulation, and a “catio” can be a suitable option.

Adopting littermates or bonded pairs of cats is another consideration, as they groom and play with each other, providing companionship. However, it’s important to note that some cats claimed to be a bonded pair may have simply lived together in the same home before entering a shelter.

Cats also need litter boxes (ideally one on each floor of your home) and places for scratching to maintain their claws. Declawing is a controversial procedure that involves amputation and can lead to pain and behavioral issues. Many veterinarians are refusing to perform this procedure unless medically necessary.

Happy cats require places to hide and perch, such as cat trees, tunnels, and shelves, where they feel safe. Some owners create catios to allow their cats to enjoy the outdoors safely.

Additionally, consider the grooming needs of your cat. Long-haired cats require regular grooming to prevent matting, which can be painful and lead to skin problems. Hairless breeds, like the Sphynx, also have specific grooming requirements.

Adding the Right for Your Home and Lifestyle

I have always preferred getting pets through family members or friends, but when I decided to choose my own pet, I visited a local shelter with veterinarians on staff. Despite having a list of requirements, I ended up falling in love with two cats, a mother and daughter pair, that didn’t fit my criteria. However, they turned out to be wonderful additions to our home. It took about three months for the cats to adjust well to their new environment, so I suggest being patient during the adjustment period.

Interestingly, each cat picked their favorite human. Oreo chose my eldest daughter as her person (I was her second choice), while Pearl chose me (my husband was her second choice). However, they weren’t as bonded as I had expected. Oreo decided she didn’t want her daughter Pearl around, so I wonder if sibling pairs are a better idea than a parent-child pair when it comes to cats. In my experience, sibling pairs of cats got along quite well.

Choosing a pet is a significant decision, and no one should “impulse buy” a pet. Rescue organizations are thorough about checking references and interviewing potential pet parents to ensure the best match for both the pet and the owner. Some pet stores and breeders prioritize profit over finding the best home for their animals, but reputable ones do more to ensure a good match.

The key to a successful relationship with your pet is being thoughtful, flexible, and honest with yourself about your capabilities as a pet parent. It’s the foundation of a great relationship.