Choose the Right Pets for Your Family

Growing up with a pet in your home teaches your kids about friendship, empathy and responsibility, and can even improve their self-esteem. But like raising kids raising a pet can be as challenging as it is rewarding. You may want your kids to have a pet but adults are the primary caregivers.

The first hurdle for a family is selecting the right pet. Not every pet is right for every family, and not every family is right for every pet. Here are things to think about. Do you travel a lot? Are you home bodies with time as well as space to share? Do your kids want a pet to actively play with or just cuddle and observe? Then you have to consider details such as the expected life span, caretaking, and time demands. For help determining the ideal match for your family, here is an idea of what to look for.

A Cat if for the family that is away from home most of the day , and looks forward to a quiet and affectionate playtime. The great thing about having a cat as a pet is that you can leave it at home alone all day with minimum supervision. Ask the current caregiver about the cat your family wants to choose as a pet. Is it shy, playful and independent? The best way is to spend time with it and see how it responds to you and our kids. The life span of a cat is 12-25 years

Birds such as cockatiels and parakeets are for the family that lives in a small house or apartment. Domestic birds have litter smell and their cages do not take up a lot of space, just make sure the cage is big enough for a parakeet to fly from perch to perch. these birds can become affectionate pets that like to be held. They can learn to mimic, and they are easier to care for. Keep the cage away from windows, drafts and bright sunlight. Change the newspaper twice per week and wash cage monthly. Lifespan is 15-18 years

Guinea pigs are for home bodies and kids that spend lots of time at home. Guinea pigs generally do not bite and become very tamed and sociable when they are played with often. They are also active during the day and sleep at night. Beware of overfeeding! Guinea pigs are vegetarians and they love to eat whatever you offer. The life span is 5-7 years

These are just the few animals that are options as pets for you and your family. While most might seem like good candidates for your kids, some are also a lot of work and not too much fun. Stay away from fad pets such as snakes or any exotic animal. .choosing the newest edition to your family will be a little work, great fun and a lot of caring from you as well as your pet.