Adopting a pet is a significant decision that is followed by an equally big and difficult decision—which pet will best fit you and your family?

With so many species and breeds to choose from, you can easily find yourself overwhelmed, or worse—choosing a pet on impulse, based on appearance or popularity. Fortunately, The Pony Express Veterinary Hospital team has prepared a guide to simplify the decision-making process. Answer the following questions with your family to help find your perfect match—or at least narrow down your options!

Can we afford a pet?

No matter how much love you have to give, caring for a pet is an ongoing financial expense. In addition to the initial one-time costs, such as an adoption or purchase fee, consider how you will meet a pet’s lifelong needs and ongoing costs, which include:

  • Food and treats 
  • Space (e.g., yard, pasture, indoor habitat)
  • Routine veterinary care (e.g., wellness exams, vaccines, yearly screening tests)
  • Emergency veterinary care and surgeries
  • Toys
  • Various supplies (e.g., dishes, collars, leashes, litter box, scratching post, cleaning supplies, grooming tools) 
  • Non-veterinary services (e.g., grooming, dog walking, dog daycare, boarding, training)
  • Parasite preventives 
  • Bedding or substrate

 

You will find wild variations in estimated total costs not only according to species but also by breed (e.g., large versus small dogs, purebred versus mixed breeds) and the corresponding health risks. Online pet cost calculators can give you a rough estimate of the expenses for each species or breed over their lifespan.

Do we have space to appropriately house a pet?

Space is an essential requirement for every pet and underestimating this need can lead to physical and emotional health issues and behavior problems in the pet. Consider your present living situation and anticipated future changes (e.g., relocation, expansion, property acquisition), and measure your current available space against your potential pet’s requirements.

How much time can we give a pet per day?

Like money and space, time is a finite resource for every potential pet owner—especially busy families. Consider your household routine—how much time can you or your family members feasibly spend caring for and interacting with a pet, keeping in mind that pets are a daily commitment and require consistent care? If your schedule is chaotic, unpredictable, or you are rarely at home more than a few hours at a time, consider postponing your pet-adoption plans until you can provide a stable care routine.

Time requirements will vary based on your prospective pet breed and species, but your calculations should include:

  • Husbandry care — This includes feeding, watering, grooming, and cleaning the pet’s environment (e.g., waste removal, disinfecting and sanitizing, replacing soiled bedding).
  • Social interactions — Regular attention promotes a strong bond, improves pet health, and reduces behavior problems.
  • Physical exercise — Ensure your potential pet’s activity level matches your own (i.e., don’t get an athletic dog if you prefer spending weekends on the couch). Some pets need several hours of exercise per day, while others are content with only a few minutes of play.

Does everyone in the family want a pet?

Although total agreement among family members can be difficult, welcoming a pet should be a unanimous decision. This not only prevents future tension or resentment but ensures someone will always be available and willing to care for the pet.

If anyone is hesitant about pet adoption, ensure you understand their reasons and explore suitable alternatives. For example, if one person is worried about a rambunctious giant-breed dog injuring an elderly family member or a toddler, you can consider a breed that is smaller or known to have a docile temperament.

Who will care for the pet?

A family pet can teach valuable lessons about responsibility, selflessness, and empathy, but these lessons alone are not reasons to adopt a pet. Pet care should not fall solely to children and adolescents, who likely are not capable of meeting the pet’s needs because they easily become preoccupied with other interests, which leaves the bulk of the pet care to adult family members.

After ensuring pet adoption is a family decision, look for pet species and breeds that match your family’s time budget and abilities. For example, don’t choose a long-coated breed if no one wants to brush dog or cat hair, and ensure that alternate caregivers are assigned to each task so nothing gets missed.

What traits do we desire in a pet?

Why does your family want a pet? What do they hope to experience by caring for and coexisting with a pet? Are you looking for companionship or an athletic partner who will accompany you on your regular runs? Do you need a pet who can be trusted around small children? Will your chosen pet thrive as part of your busy routine, or do you need a solitary homebody who won’t mind your busy 8 to 5 schedule, plus extracurricular activities?

Write down every feature that you seek in a pet and use your list to help find a suitable companion.

Your perfect pet match

Once you’ve thoughtfully answered these questions, use the information to narrow down your list of potential pets. Then, connect with knowledgeable breeders, owners, pet trainers, adoption specialists, and The Pony Express Veterinary Hospital team for first-hand insights on living or working with the species or breed that interests you most. When the time and the pet is right, this new expert network can connect you.

Then, once you find your new best friend, contact The Pony Express Veterinary Hospital team to schedule your pet’s first veterinary exam.