Choosing the right pet is not as easy as it seems at first glance. A lot of factors come into play and it's important to consider them all, because you can't just change a pet again if it's not quite right.

 

To avoid making the wrong choice, consider the following points carefully before getting a pet.

 

How much of an animal lover are you?

A pet needs love and care. It would be irresponsible to get a pet and then neglect it. Think carefully beforehand whether you are prepared to spend the time and care that the animal of your choice will require.

Which animal and how many?

Once you have decided that you would like to have a pet, you should think carefully about which animal is most suited to your time, budget and temperament. Some species don't like to be kept alone, so you may need to consider having two or more if you decide on one.

The whole family decides

Choosing a pet is often a decision for the whole family. It must be made clear who wants the pet and who therefore takes on which obligations. Each family member should be informed exactly what their responsibilities are. Based on this, all family members must come to a compromise in case of divided opinions.

Pets and children

If you want to buy a pet for your child, find out if the pet of your choice is childproof, because children are often rough with animals when playing.
If there are babies in the household, make sure that the animal is never left alone with the baby or keep the two separated from the start until the baby is older. For example, a cat that is used to sleeping in bed with its master or mistress may jump into the baby's bed and accidentally hurt the baby.

 

Allergies

It is obvious that no one in the household should be allergic to the future pet.

Costs

Some animals require more specialised care than others, or certain foods. Find out beforehand what your monthly costs will be and what you can afford.

What is the animal for

Do you want to buy the animal for a specific reason or is it just for fun? Some people have certain expectations of their animal, so buy the right animal for your expectations.
Is it meant for the home or for outdoor activities, is it meant as a companion or as a hunting partner? Or do you want a show animal or a breeding animal?

Choose a specific breed

Once you have decided whether you want a dog, a cat or a bird, all you have to do is find out which breed of animal is good for you, or whether the breed matters at all. The choice of breed is usually about size, life expectancy, appearance, cost etc.

Place

Some animals take up more space than others. Buy the right animal for your flat. For example, a large dog that needs a lot of exercise has no place in a city flat on the fifth floor.
Find out what types of animals are allowed in your home if you are renting.

How old / experienced should your animal be?
Do you want to train the animal yourself from the beginning and buy it as a baby or would you rather have a fully trained animal that is perhaps already a few months old?

Collect information

Find answers to the questions above. Discuss your questions or concerns with other pet owners or a vet.

If you want to find out more about the characteristics of certain pets, see Which pet suits you.