Owning a pet is one of the most rewarding experiences, but with the joy they bring, from you they need dedication. Every pet is different and comes with individual needs and requirements, all of which need to be taken into consideration when choosing the right pet for you and your family. So how do you choose the right pet? We have compiled this list of tips to help.

Think of the pet first

After making the decision to get a pet many people already have an idea of what animal they would like to have. Do your best to not act on impulse with these thoughts, just because they are your favourite animal or breed, it does not mean they are right for you or your family. You may think a rabbit is best for your young children, however rabbits are prey animals and many do not like to be picked up and cuddled. Maybe you have thought about a hamster, but not considered the fact that they are nocturnal and will not want to play during the day, where as rats love social interaction during the day and maybe a much better pet for your family.
It is exactly the same for breed, a dog maybe perfect for your home, but every breed is individual with their own personality traits and needs, a Border Collie will require extensive walks and runs daily to manage their requirements, they may not be a suitable match for some less able to assist with this.

When choosing the right pet for your lifestyle it is important to put the animal before your own desires, to ensure you can give the pet everything they need to live a happy life.

Think about your lifestyle

How much time do you have for this animal? If you are going to be out at work all day will there be someone around to look after a dog? Or can you afford day care for them every day?
Do you often go out straight from work? How would your cat feel about being left alone large proportions of the day and do they have free access to the outside?
While our lives do not need to revolve around our pets they need to become a big factor in it and something that should be thoroughly thought about before impulse buying a pet.

Think about cost

The current average cost of owning a dog is £1183 per year and that is without any unexpected Vet visits. A rabbit costs on average £500 a year and they should always be kept in pairs.  Pets are massive financial commitment so it is important to look into all the cost your chosen pet might need before purchasing to ensure it fits within your budget.
At Very Important Pets we will always recommend purchasing pet insurance to help cover for any unexpected illness or injury. Many Veterinary practices also now offer ‘health care plans’ to help spread the cost of routine needs such as a vaccination and preventative healthcare.

Think about a rescue

Each year over 50,000 dogs alone are given up to rescue centres or abandoned, rescuing a pet and giving them their forever home is a wonderful thing to do. Rescue centres and facilities are set up for all domestic species, and many will have an appointed person who can discuss your lifestyle to match you with your perfect pet.
Rescue pets are a great choice as they have often already established their personalities, and you may incur less costs as often they will already be neutered, microchipped and possibly vaccinated.

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