You have multiple options when choosing a new pet. You can work with a rescue or shelter, purchase from a breeder or a pet store, or take in a pet from a neighbor, friend, or family member. However, before you can decide where to obtain a new pet, you must first decide the pet species that best suits you and your family. Our Billings Animal Family Hospital team is the expert on all things pet, and we want to ensure that you make informed choices before welcoming a new animal pal into your home. To choose the pet that suits your family’s lifestyle and needs, read our five expert tips.

#1: Decide why you want a pet

Understanding why you want a pet will help guide you in the right direction when choosing a pet category or species. Do you want a pet to look at for relaxation, such as a fish or reptile, an intelligent pet to train, such as a bird, or an interactive, cuddly companion, such as a dog or cat? If you’re somewhere in the middle, consider a pocket pet, such as a rabbit, ferret, or guinea pig. Remember, whatever species you choose, pets are living creatures, and owning a pet is a two-way partnership. They depend on you for all of their needs and return the favor by providing love and companionship.

#2: Decide how a pet will fit in with your current lifestyle

Are you always on the go and frequently away from home? Or, do you work from home and remain a homebody all other times? The amount of time you have to spend with your pet has a major impact on the pet type that will thrive best in your home. Dogs need a lot of attention to meet their emotional and physical needs, and they shouldn’t be left alone for long periods. However, you can hire dog walkers or pet sitters to help you care for your pet while you are at work or traveling. Having a job does not preclude pet ownership. In fact, you’ll need the money from that job to pay for your pet’s food, supplies, and veterinary care. However, you should consider your job type, stress level, and support network before choosing a pet.

#3: Research your desired pet species thoroughly

Once you land on a pet you think will match your needs and lifestyle, continue researching until you thoroughly understand everything about the species. Do not decide on a specific pet because they are cute, as such a consideration can easily backfire. Remember that within each pet type or breed, individual personalities vary widely, so you will also need to choose an individual pet carefully. Generally speaking, however, research can reveal species’ energy level, grooming needs, time commitments, trainability, special dietary needs, expected life span, veterinary care, exercise requirements, housing needs, and all other aspects important to your decision. 

#4: Get your finances in order for pet care

Pet care, especially veterinary care, is expensive. Throughout their lifetime, a dog or a cat can cost as much as a house down payment or a luxury vehicle’s full cost. If your pet develops a chronic disease or needs a special diet, their care can become even more costly. Small pets and those whose lives are usually only a few years, such as pocket pets or reptiles, generally cost less than their canine or feline counterparts, but exceptions to the rule exist. Hobby pets, such as koi or saltwater fish require a tremendous commitment to housing maintenance, and large parrots can cost a great deal simply because they live long lives and must receive specialized veterinary care. The bottom line is that you should be financially stable before acquiring a new pet and have a complete picture of expected ownership costs before bringing home your new pal.

#5: Work with a pet adoption counselor or rescue matching service

Shelters and rescues strive to take homeless pets out of kill shelters and off the streets, placing them in fur-ever homes. Some rescues work with only dogs and cats, or a specific breed, while others also foster rabbits, birds, pocket pets, and farm animals. Working with a rescue adoption counselor can help you determine which pets are suitable for your family’s lifestyle and helps find an individual pet whose personality and lifestyle characteristics will mesh with your family.

Pets are a major responsibility because they cannot care for themselves. Time, energy, and money are required to keep a pet happy and healthy, but a pet’s affection, companionship, protection, and improved health are well worth the costs, financial and otherwise. If you are considering bringing home a new pet, our Billings Animal Family Hospital team members can provide you with preadoption counseling, and we will help you care for your pet throughout their lives. Schedule a consultation or your new pet’s first visit with our team.