Deciding to get a pet is a big decision—whether you live alone, with a spouse, or with children. Pets are living beings and deserve to be treated with respect and care, so the decision to buy a pet should not be taken lightly, and should be done with the expectation that you will have to take very good care of it. Choosing a pet is not easy and there are many factors that must come into play when deciding what to get! 

A big factor in deciding to get a pet is, in fact, your family. If you have children chances are you will be busier and have less time to commit to a pet because you have already allotted time for your children. If you live alone or with a spouse, then you may have more time to take care of a pet.

Another huge factor is your lifestyle, which includes your work, eating habits, exercise, weekend activities, and what you do during the day. People with jobs who work long hours will often choose pets that fit into that lifestyle easier. Those who are very active will want pets that can be active as well.

The most common pets people get are fish, cats, dogs, in order of lowest to highest maintenance.

A fish is by far the easiest pet to take care of. Fish are great pets for people who work very long hours and do not have a lot of time to take care of a pet. They are fun for kids because they can watch them swim, and they also provide responsibility (changing the water, cleaning the tank, feeding). However, they are not very exciting and kids may get bored after a while. Also, because a fish can’t really get your attention, sometimes it can be easy for kids to forget their responsibilities! But, if you know that you do not have time for something like a dog then a fish is a great option if you have kids, to teach responsibility and add some fun!

Cats are also relatively easy to take care of. Cats sleep a lot and are okay to stay in the house for a long time. They should actually be kept indoors to be safe from traffic and also predators. (There might not be any in your area though!) They are fun to play with and can also teach responsibility to children if they are required to feed them, clean the litter boxes and play with them. A downside to cats is that they can sometimes be slightly aggressive (they may bite or scratch) and are not exactly “cuddly”.  Also, some people are allergic to cats. More often than dogs!

Dogs are the hardest pets to take care of. A dog requires daily exercise, grooming, attention and play. Someone who works long hours and has children has to really be willing to use even more of your little free time to take your dog on walks, runs, and trips to the park. Dogs can also be costly as their food and toys are expensive. However, dogs are also a less risky and dangerous pet than a cat. Most breeds of dogs are pretty good with children. A dog is the best way to teach children responsibility. Your children can feed your dog, brush it, groom it, and, if they are old enough, walk it.

So when deciding to get a pet, remember to take all the different factors into account! Getting a pet should be a serious decision. If chosen properly and seriously a pet can bring happiness and positivity to any sort of family—however if bought on a whim without serious preparation and thought will have disastrous effects.