Where do you even start? Here's some key things to consider before making your decision.
Allergies, lifestyle, age, interests...all things to consider when choosing a pet. So, which pet is right for you?
One way to narrow your search is to focus on the following:
Allergies
Certain animals, such as Poodles, Bichon Frise, Miniature Schnauzers, Devon Rex and Sphynx Cats, are known as hypoallergenic. This means they typically shed less (or, for Sphynx cats, don’t have fur at all) and therefore make their owners sneeze less.
This is because the dander (flakes of skin) and saliva stay in the hair follicle, meaning less allergens are produced.
So, for allergy sufferers, one of these specific breeds of dog or cat may be of interest to you. These animals also tend to be shorter haired, which may also appeal to you.
Space
This is also a huge factor in choosing the perfect animal for your family and is particularly relevant for dog breeds.
If you live in an apartment or a house with no section, a large working dog wouldn’t be suitable, as they require hours of daily exercise (often a walk on a lead is not enough either).
You may instead be better considering a cat, or a smaller dog, such as a Shih Tzu or Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
Age
Puppies and kittens require a lot of hard work, attention and time, but this can be extremely rewarding as you can train them how you want to. Cost is also a large consideration, as younger pets need more vaccinations at a young age and desexing. There are many older animals in rescue centres requiring homes and, quite often, they are more mellow and relaxed, as well as already desexed!
Source: https://www.onehealth.org/blog/tips-for-choosing-the-right-pet-for-your-home-and-lifestyle
