How to Find the Perfect Pet

Deciding to adopt a pet is not a decision to take lightly or to be made spur of the moment when you are looking into the ever-so-trusting eyes of a puppy or kitten. Here is a guide on how to adopt a pet and the things you should consider before you set foot in the animal shelter or pet store.

Before you go shopping for a pet, the first thing to decide is what type of pet you are looking for. Consider your lifestyle and what will be fair to the pet. Personally, I love dogs. I want a puppy. But I have days when I am gone for twelve hours at a time. That means no puppy for me.

If you choose a dog or puppy, make sure to consider how much time you will need to devote to your new pet. He will need to be trained, need to be walked and want to be played with. If you cannot devote several hours a day, especially for a puppy, you might want to consider another type of pet.

A good option for people who want something warm and fuzzy could be a kitten or cat. Unlike a dog, they do not require weeks of training or a set schedule to walk them every day. A cat or kitten will still need some amount of time, as they will need to be fed and played with, but otherwise cats can largely take care of themselves.

Other options for first time pet owners might be a guinea pig or rabbit. These pets take even less time than a cat or dog, though they do need to be held regularly to teach them not to bite and they need to have their cages cleaned at least once a week.

Once you have determined how much time you can devote to a pet, you need to decide how much money you can afford to spend on your pet. Even free, adopted pets, have routine costs that you should account for before you decide to bring Fido or Fluffy home. Purina estimates that a cat will cost $500 in the first year and a dog will cost even more. Be realistic in your financial expectations.

A cat will need a litter box, litter and food at a bare minimum. With the cheapest of brands, food and litter will cost about $20 a month for one cat. You may also want to consider the other things you are likely to want to buy for your pet: a bed, toys, and special treats.