The Best Pets To Get Based On Your Daily Lifestyle!

Our pets are truly the reason we get by sometimes. Animals and humans create such a special bond that is superior to most relationships we have in our lives. That’s why losing a pet can often feel like losing a member of your own family. But, if you’ve never had a pet, or are thinking of getting one, it’s important to make sure you’re getting the right one for you.

Most people want a pet the moment they can afford one, but not many people know what having a pet entails if they’ve never had one. It can be difficult, time-consuming, and cost a lot of money. If you are thinking about getting an animal, make sure you’re in a place to truly care for it and any of its needs. Based on your daily routine, personal finances and effort you’re willing to put into pet ownership, these are the pets you should consider!

Dogs

Everyone wants a dog, but not many understand how important it is to have the right education to own one. To understand what it means to own a dog, you have to understand that it’s very similar to having a small child. Owning a dog is a commitment and requires a lot of time, money, living space, and effort.

If you are a morning person, work from home, or spend a majority of the day at home, have enough money saved for vet bills and proper care, and have a house with a backyard or a large apartment with access to a park, then a dog might be a great companion for you. Dogs require plenty of attention and space to run around and play.

Even with all of the above, you must understand that a dog is not a temporary playmate. You must understand that you are committing to an animal with a long lifespan. You are responsible for providing the proper care and effort for the dog’s entire life. If you’re someone who needs to move around a lot or doesn’t have a stable living situation, then a dog won’t work for you.

Cats

People tend to think cats are relatively solitary animals and nowhere near as needy as dogs, but they are wrong. Cats require just about everything that a dog would need. The cost of a cat is often more expensive than a dog due to the need for litter and cat boxes, which can quickly add up. Toys, food, cat beds, vet bills, scratching posts, and anything else your friend might need will cost a significant amount of money.

Cats are more comfortable being alone during the day, as they are relatively nocturnal animals. If you have a typical day job, as long as you have the ability to be home everyday in the morning and night, then a cat is still a great option. This doesn’t mean that a cat doesn’t require attention or effort. Cats need social time and playtime as well as time for the proper care.

Rats/Ferrets/Birds

These pets may not be optimal for everyone, and you may be a little scared of the idea of having rats in your home, small thieves, or something that repeats your every word, but these pets are basically pocket-sized dogs and cats. Rats, ferrets, and birds are extremely intelligent and have the capability to learn tricks, can be potty-trained, and respond to humans well. All three are very social creatures and are a perfect addition to a family.

They require a slightly different setup than a cat or a dog. Unless you plan on training either of these animals extremely well, you will probably need to have a large enclosure for all three when it comes to sleeping and resting arrangements. None of these animals can have a small space and will require a very large cage with plenty of the proper care materials.

For these animals, someone with an abundance of time, money, and knowledge will be a perfect match. Do immense amounts of research on rats, ferrets, or birds before committing to one. If you do not have a lot of space in your living arrangements for a dog or cat, either a rat, ferret, or bird will do well (as long as you have a room or two that they can safely free roam or fly around within).

Even though these pets are small animals, they require a ton of resources to keep them mentally stimulated. Because of their high intelligence, they can get bored rather easily with a bad setup and will suffer without social playtime. They require someone who is willing to put in a lot of effort in being well-educated in their care.

Hamsters/Snakes/Lizards

If you are someone with a little less time than the usual pet owner but still wants to have an animal to dedicate time and energy to, a hamster, lizard, or snake will do well. Be aware, though, that snakes and some lizards have pretty long lifespans and that is a long commitment to have. So, if you have the capacity for only two or three years of rigorous care, a hamster might be a better option from this group.

None of these animals are known for being too loving, so if you desire a cuddly animal, look elsewhere. Due to their natures, they are all relatively solitary animals and will not need to have constant social attention. Most breeds of any of these animals do not do well with a companion of their same species, so be aware of that if you desire more than one. Each requires a very specific habitat and will cost quite a fair amount of money to make sure they are set up properly with enough space. Space cannot be emphasized enough.

Most people will try to fit these animals into less than the bare minimum habitat space requirements. This is a horrible way to make an innocent animal suffer. If you cannot afford a large enclosure, simply do not invest in any of these pets. Someone who enjoys providing care, is fine with being a loving observer, and can dedicate the proper resources and pay exotic vet bills will be a perfect match to any of these pets.

Fish/Insects

If you are fully fine with never interacting physically with an animal and enjoy being an observer, then these will be the perfect pets for you. As long as you can provide the first initial habitat requirements and enough food to keep these animals sustained fully, you won’t need to worry about dedicating too much time, money, or effort to keep these animals happy.

I have stressed this for the other animals on this list, but space is always the number one priority in any habitat for an animal. If you aren’t willing to put in effort because you do not view these animals on the same level as a cat or dog, then do not get a pet at all. Every pet is deserving of kind and fair treatment, and fish and insects cannot be excluded from this. Do the proper research and always go far past the bare minimum!