Choosing The Right Pet For Your Family

Source: Kaitlyn Marmarou

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Is your preteen ready to graduate from his or her online pet? Pets are a great way for tweens to learn to be responsible while experiencing the joy of caring for a creature they love. But before you take the plunge by purchasing a real-live pet, there are a few questions you can ask yourself to determine whether to get a pet rock or a poodle.

Where will the pet live?

Although you may have enough room for a large dog, you may not want to cede your entire living space to a pet. Even small mammals like guinea pigs require at least 6 ft of space. Keeping animals outdoors seems efficient; however, outdoor cats have half the life expectancy of indoor cats, due to increased exposure to pathogens. Keeping a pet indoors can change your family's environment. Owning a snake will mean up to 15 years of pre-killed rodents in your freezer. Parrots, cockatoos, parakeets and cockatiels, though affectionate, usually only bond with one member of the family and produce a large amount of dust.

How long do you want the pet to live?

Depending on your tween's level of commitment, you can replace the family goldfish every few months, or invest in a rat, which can live up to 2 years. However, any well cared for pet can live much longer than expected and you may end up watching your child's hamster as they go off to college. Dogs and cats can live anywhere from 10-20 years while most small mammals live no longer than 5. A cockatoo can live up to 70 years.

How much do you want to spend?

The ASPCA has a straightforward guide to pet costs from a goldfish to a large dog. Small mammals are surprisingly expensive; their litter must be changed regularly and can cost several hundred dollars a year.

Are you willing to make arrangements when you travel?

Cats and small mammals can often be left alone for a few days. However, for longer trips, cats and dogs need alternative care. A dog kennel costs between $25-50 per day. Birds, as well, will need someone with bird-care experience daily for feeding, cleaning and attention. Even fish can't be left alone for more than a few days. Their temperature and Ph levels should be checked regularly to guard against fluctuation.

Will allergies be an issue?

Studies have shown that about 15% of the population is allergic to cats and dogs. However, bathing your pet frequently and choosing a pet that has soft, constantly growing hair (usually that needs to be groomed) will reduce the amount of allergens retained and expressed into the environment. It is a good idea to have family members tested for allergies before making a decision about the type of pet to introduce to your family. All dogs and cats produce allergens, in different amounts, and these can cause reactions.

How much responsibility can your tween handle?

How much time do they have to spend with their pet per day? Even small pets like ferrets, chinchillas, goldfish, guinea pigs and turtles require daily feeding and weekly cleaning. How much exposure have they had to pets? Have your tween pet sit for a neighbor or friend to make sure they react well to animals and that animals react well to them.

Interesting Pet Facts and Trivia

• There is a presidential pet museum, with its own website.
  
• An estimated 1 million dogs in the United States have been named the primary beneficiary in their owner's will. 
  
• People who own pets live longer, have less stress, and have fewer heart attacks.
  
• Theobromine in chocolate stimulates the cardiac and nervous system, making it dangerous for dogs to ingest.
  
• A dog's short-term memory lasts no more than 5 minutes, according to a study by the University of Michigan
  

This article is written by Kaitlyn Marmarou

For more information about pets read:
The Best Hypoallergenic Dogs For Kids