How to Choose a Family Pet

By eHow Relationships & Family Editor

Instructions

Step 1:
Consider your family members when deciding if you're ready for a pet. Two adults could handle most pet types as long as both are committed to taking care of the pet. A family with kids should consider the ages of the children and their maturity; each child should be able to obey the word "no" and exhibit self-control so they do not harm or are harmed by a pet. If they're old enough, introduce them to a friend's or family's pet and see how they behave. Factor in whether anyone is allergic to certain types of pets when choosing what type of pet you are looking for.
Step 2:
Compare your lifestyle to what type of pet best fits it. A family who is outdoors much of the time, might consider a pet they can take along often, like a dog who needs a lot of physical activity. Alternatively, a family who stays home to relax most often might prefer a cat or low-activity dog. When a larger family has children or parents with busy schedules, frequently goes on vacation or travels for business, it might be wise to select a low-maintenance pet, other than a dog.
Step 3:
Choose a pet that would best work with your home and budget. A home with a yard would work well for dogs, even large ones. Take into account your budget; pets require vet visits, larger pets require more food and long-haired pets may need to be professionally groomed. Care of the pet is an important element as well, so be sure at least one person in the family is physically able to exercise the pet. Make sure you can supervise children while they're with the pet, and if you're not able to keep up with cleaning the home, select a pet that is not long-haired and does not shed frequently.
Step 4:
Narrow down your options based on the information you gathered in the initial steps. Next, decide if you want a baby or an adult pet. A younger pet will be more work at first, but you can train it the way you want. An adult animal can take less time to train, but you may need to break it of bad habits it already has.
Step 5:
Begin your search by looking online, going to shelters and visiting pet stores and breeders. Talk with your family about breed, size and type of animal you'll consider if this decision has not already been made in earlier steps. Research qualities known to be associated with the different types of animals or breeds you're thinking about. Make arrangements to visit locations and spend time with pets who meet your family's requirements.
Step 6:
Prepare your home for your new pet once chosen. Make sure you have the essentials such as a leash for a dog, a tank for fish, cage for a bird or litter box for a cat. Have food on hand and get educated about what kind of care the pet you choose needs.

Tips & Warnings

If a family member does suffer from pet allergies, it's a good idea to expose them to many different types of pets you are considering. Both dogs and cats produce dander (that causes the allergic reaction) and a pet purported to be hypoallergenic could still create an issue.
General guidelines for selecting pets by age include focusing on the child and not the pet for children under 5, choosing guinea pigs, mice, rats or fish for children ages 5 to 10 and any pet (cat or dog) above age 10.
Make sure everyone in the family has agreed to get the pet you have selected-- including all kids. It's heartbreaking when a pet has to be turned into a shelter because a member of the family did not want it or is allergic to it.

Resources

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