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A Quick Guide to Picking Your First Pet

Adding a pet to your home is a great way to give your space a little life and a lot of love. More and more American adults are adopting cats and dogs these days. In fact, 44 per cent of millennials — a generation now grown into young adults — see their pets as “starter children” they can practice their nurturing abilities on before going for the real thing.

While adopting a pet isn’t the same amount of responsibility as having a child, it’s still not something anyone should take lightly. Future pet owners should thoroughly go over their options, needs, and wants before settling on the right four-legged friend.

Determining the Right Kind of Pet for You: Cats vs Dogs

First off, there are countless types pets a person can own depending on where they live. However, the most common pets in the United States are freshwater fish, cats, and dogs. Freshwater fish outnumber puppies and kitties because people who have fish will often buy multiple to live in a single aquarium. While we’d love to get into whether you’re a fish person, for the sake of brevity, we want to hone down the options to the two runners-up: cats and dogs.

If you have a large home with a big, fenced-in yard, your options are more open. Large dogs and active breeds are comfortable in these homes as well as cats and smaller, lazier dog breeds. However, if you live in a small, yardless home or an apartment, your options are more limited. While there are some apartment-friendly large dogs, many active pups need the space to stretch, play, and run, or else they will release their energy through destructive behaviour.

Large or small, if you don’t have a fenced-in yard, you will have to plan to take your dog outside throughout the day. This can be a big lifestyle change for a lot of people. If it sounds like too much of a disruption, a cat is probably a better option for you. Cats are generally low-maintenance and it is best for them to only live indoors. While a cat’s lifespan depends on the environment, maintenance, health, and whether the cat is spayed or neutered, indoor cats statistically live longer than their outdoor brethren.

Extra Tips for New Pet Owners

 

A pet is a great way to add love and responsibility into your life, but it’s not a decision to be made haphazardly. Analyze your space and lifestyle before deciding whether you want a large, high-energy dog or a smaller, low-maintenance cat (or something in between). Don’t be afraid to spend some time volunteering at your local animal shelter to get a better idea of what animal will be the best fit for you.