The Best Family Pets for City Life

Deciding upon a pet that fits into your bustling life is an important task, if all of the adults in the house are at work during the day and if weekends are jam packed, selecting the right pet is essential.

Having a pet is a responsibility, but one that is rewarding. For children, learning how to care for a pet is a valuable lesson and one that cannot be taught as such in school. Whatever pet you select, try to buy it with clarity and having made an informed and sensible decision. Be prepared for the financial outlay and make sure that you are a responsible pet owner. Remember, the first thing that you must do after buying any pet is to take it to the vet, find the best vets in Bristol and make sure your new family member is fully vaccinated and neutered if necessary.

The first question you must ask yourself is how many hours a day is there a person at home realistically. The second is, how much can you afford to spend on the maintenance of your pet? With these questions in mind, read about the pros and cons of some common family pets.

1. Dogs

Among typical household pets, dogs demand the most attention. If you are living in a house where there are long periods of time when nobody is in during the day, unless you can afford pet care and a dog walking service, it might not be the best idea to invest in a pooch. No dog likes to be alone for hours on end, even toy/low maintenance dogs prefer company. If there is somebody in a lot, or you have a big enough budget to ensure you can look after your hound, the next decision is what kind of dog to buy. Do your research about different dog breeds to avoid avoidable mistakes. Show Labradors, for example, are very calm in nature and need minimal walking whereas working Labradors and fox red Labs are incredibly hard work. Many small dogs are prone to yapping when their owners are out, make sure you read up on your chosen breed before you buy it.

2. Cats

Cats are one of the top choices for people living in cities for many reasons; they are independent, do not require a person in the house for long stretches of time, can be fed easily by a neighbour during holidays and are consequently much less costly than dogs. Remember that cats often live more than twenty years, so make sure you are certain before you purchase one. Another consideration when getting a cat the impact upon local bird-life and other garden creatures. If you are lucky enough to have a large garden, a cat can reduce the amount of wild visitors you receive.

3. House Rabbits

House rabbits are enormously cute and come in a wide variety of sizes. Like a cat, rabbits can be left during the day as long as they have an adequate hutch, food, and are played with in the evenings. Be careful of their teeth though, some rabbits are prone to bite they are known for chewing through electricity cables!