The shared family decision has been made: a new “family member” is about to join our familiar daily life.
There are several important steps—ones that will greatly determine our future life together—that we must go through before the new pet arrives.
It makes a big difference whether we choose a puppy, a kitten, a rodent, a bird, or even a reptile. Different pets come with very different needs, housing requirements, and—last but not least—financial commitments.
What’s more, we need very different kinds of knowledge to ensure that the pet we choose can truly live a full, healthy, and long life worthy of being called a “beloved companion,” while also contributing to our own happier, more loving, and more balanced life.
Let’s take a look at the questions and steps we should consider before making the final decision.
1. Why do we want a pet?
This is a crucial question. If we are looking for a companion for an active lifestyle, a turtle may not be the best choice. It matters whether we want to cuddle and interact, or “just” enjoy observing the animal.
2. How much time do we have each day, and what is our family’s daily routine like?
A tarantula, a reptile, a rodent, or even a cat can feel relatively comfortable even if we spend only a limited amount of time with them each day. We observe them, feed them, handle them, and interact with them—according to the animal’s needs.
A ferret, for example, can manage well in its enclosure with food and water during the day, but will enthusiastically play with us—until we’re exhausted—whenever we have time.
With dogs, however, daily walks are mandatory (at least twice a day for 30–60 minutes). And there are no days off—no rain days, holidays, or weekends.
3. Who will take care of the daily tasks?
We often make the mistake of getting a pet “for the children,” expecting them to handle the care, cleaning, feeding, and interaction. Ideally, that would be the case—but in reality, it often isn’t. As parents, it’s best to assume that most of the care and training will fall on us.
That said, if we teach our children how to treat animals respectfully, competently, and responsibly—and if we later expect and check that they do so regularly—the pet can greatly contribute to the development of a responsible, caring, and empathetic personality. (This is valuable knowledge for society as a whole.)
4. How much additional monthly expense can our family budget handle?
Keeping an exotic animal often requires—beyond specialized knowledge—specific equipment, suitable terrariums or cages, and special food.
Regular parasite prevention and occasional vaccinations also cost money. From the very beginning, we must set aside funds for unexpected veterinary expenses.
If we choose a dog, we should consider that feeding and medicating a large-breed dog will be significantly more expensive than caring for a smaller one.
5. Who will be our veterinarian?
As soon as the idea arises—or if we don’t already have one—we should choose a veterinarian we trust. Someone we can ask questions of in advance, who can help us think the idea through and, once a decision is made, provide plenty of useful advice: what to expect from a particular species or breed, what housing, nutrition, and veterinary care it needs for a balanced, healthy life, how to prepare for its arrival, and what to expect from the very first day.
6. Do we know someone who already has a similar pet?
It’s worth connecting with owners who already have experience with the type of pet we’re considering. We can learn many useful tips and practical insights, and based on what we hear and see, decide whether this is truly the kind of companion we want. The more information we gather, the more conscious our choice will be—and the more enjoyable our life together later on.
7. What breed do we really want?
If we decide on a puppy or a kitten, it’s especially important to research different breeds. There can be major differences in temperament, exercise needs, predisposition to certain diseases, coat length, and body size.
8. Who will be “the one”?
Once we feel we’ve thoroughly considered all aspects and found the pet that suits us best, the next crucial step is choosing the individual animal. Selecting from a responsible, caring source—where animals are clearly raised with love—can spare us and our future pet many problems down the road.
With puppies and kittens, it’s important to check whether they’ve received the necessary vaccinations and parasite treatments, what they’ve been fed so far, and what the parents and littermates are like. Is the environment calm and balanced?
Choosing my pet is often a very subjective process—and that’s important, because I’ll be the one living with them. Still, we should keep our eyes open and trust our instincts. Each species and breed comes with its own considerations and criteria, so it’s worth researching these before meeting the animal in person. Once the new little companion is in our arms, we’ve taken the first incredibly important and brave step into a completely new life—full of excitement and experiences.
If you have any questions before, during, or after making your decision, feel free to contact us—we’re happy to help.
