Choosing the right animal as a pet is extremely important because it saves the animal and yourself from being put into a horrible situation. Although I do understand that sometimes choosing the proper animal for your lifestyle can be hard, it's extremely important to research the type of animal you want as a pet before hand.
The reason you will want to research the animal you would like to have as a pet is because you want to get a good understanding about the animal's behavior and the type of living environment they like to be in. While researching you should also see what type of food the animal eats and how active they are. You don't want to be getting an active animal who needs to get out a lot if your family isn't very active and energetic because the animal will develop behavioral problems do to the lack of activity in the environment.
Now, if you don't know where to start researching about an animal you want as a pet, I would recommend going to the library, or a bookstore. The library and bookstore will have books on all different kinds of animals you could have as a pet. Another great place to do research on a certain animal you want as a pet is on the web. The internet is loaded with different information on all different kinds of animals, including some of the best places you could get your pet once you are done figuring out what kind of animal would fit your lifestyle. Some other ways of doing research on the pet you would like to have is by asking friends and family who have had certain animals as their own pets. Most of the time family and friends can be some of your best resources.
If you live an active life however, an energetic animal might be right for your lifestyle. Some of the pets I would recommend for an active family who wants to care for a new pet would be; a puppy, a rabbit, a kitten, and a pot belly pig. These animals are great for outgoing lifestyle because they love attention, getting exercise, playing, and being surrounded by people.
However, these animals do need a lot of care and a lot of attention because they are active pets. A dog needs to be walked and played with every day to get exercise and too use up some of the energy they have stored in them so they won't have behavioral problems. A kitten needs toys and someone to play with to keep their minds active and motivated too burn their stored energy. A bunny would need to be let out of their cage and allowed to hop around and play for proper exercise in order to stay healthy and live longer. A pot belly pig would need to be around people and go for short walks in order to learn how to be around people and stay active. These animals I just told you a little bit about are perfect for family pets if there is enough time and people in your home to stay active with them. You want an active pet to be calm at the end of the day and not all cranked up.
People who don't live active lifestyles shouldn't have high active animals. They should have an animal such as a bird, a fish, a hamster, or mice. These animals are good for low key lifestyles because they don't require a lot of attention, aren't highly active, and only need to be feed and cleaned once in awhile. However these animals do need some attention since you are their owner. A bird needs you to talk to them and feed them to be shown that you care, and they also need to be let out of their cage once in awhile so they don't become board. Birds also need toys in the cages to stay active and keep their minds going, unlike a fish who needs a large tank or bowl to swim in and feed once in awhile. A fish however needs their water and tank, or bowl cleaned once in awhile. Mice and Hamsters need wheels and food to stay active, and they also need to their cages cleaned up once in awhile. Even though these animals are not as active, it is still very important to take care of them and give them a good amount of attention when you have the time.
Remember, research the type of animal you want as a pet before buying one or getting one from a shelter, or even taking one into your home. Fill your mind with information about the animal you want as a pet and fully understand their behavior and the type of living situation they enjoy being in. By doing research you will save your pet from being placed on the streets with no homes, or in the hands of animal abusers. However if you find yourself not being able to handle a pet you have gotten please take it to an animal shelter where they can be placed in proper homes. Do not just stop caring for your pets. You were the one who chose them and decide to bring the animal home, not the animal. Animals deserve the same respect as humans. So make sure you use some of the information from this article before choosing your pet.
