Choosing the Right Pet

Oct. 23, 2015

You’ve decided you want to add some purring, ball chasing and companionship to your life, but you’re not sure which direction to go.

So how to choose? Experts say picking the right pet depends on several factors, including what you’re looking for, your budget, your home and your lifestyle.

Some decisions are fairly obvious. Dr. David Nelson, owner of Platte Lake Veterinary Clinic, says it takes the right person to care for exotic pets.

“Snakes, turtles, tarantulas — some people like to watch and have and take care of them. [They] are entranced by them.”

He freely admits he’s not one of them. “My sense of a pet is you enjoy holding, coming into contact with them. You hunt, play, be with them,” he said.

So if you’ve narrowed your options to a dog or cat, make sure you know what you’re looking for and what you can offer. Adding a pet to your life needs to be a thoughtful and practical decision, not only an emotional or impulsive one.

“Finding [someone] the right pet is a priority for us,” said Jessica Evans, communications and marketing coordinator for the Little Traverse Humane Society in Harbor Springs.

The Humane Society meets with prospective pet owners to determine their family dynamics (kids, other pets), their lifestyle (how active they are) and what they’re looking for.

“We want to ensure a good, lasting adoption,” she said.

How do you decide among the options?

Dogs come in all shapes and sizes, each breed with different needs; feline friends — not so much.

“Cats are cats,” said Nelson. There are personality differences among them, he explained, but the decision basically comes down to one thing: “Whether you want a cat or not.”

Dr. Megan Grant of Banfield Pet Hospital in Traverse City said potential owners should make sure the cat fits with everyone it will be interacting with, human and otherwise.

“If you have a big family, lots of dogs, it’s better for a confident cat rather than one that’s skittish,” she said.

Differences among dogs are much greater.

“A high-energy dog is for people who have more time and an active lifestyle,” she said.

Nelson said it’s more important to find the dog that fits your lifestyle than one you just like the look of.

“Most people don’t spend enough time researching what the breed was bred for. They’ve seen a picture and have a mental image they’re attracted to,” he said. “Having a hunting dog in an apartment, in a crate for eight hours a day while you’re at work, is not a good situation.”

He uses his own life as illustration. He and his wife own Crystal Lake Alpacas and their dog helps with the herd.

“We have a Great Pyrenees that lives with our alpacas,” he said. The dog often barks during the night to warn and ward off other animals like coyotes.

That can drive people who don’t understand it crazy.

“I’ve had owners [of the breed] want to know how to stop the barking. I say, ‘Get them a herd of animals.’ It’s a mismatch between the owner’s lifestyle and what the dog was bred to do.”

When you adopt a dog from a shelter, you typically won’t know its breed and looks can be deceiving.

“You don’t know the dog’s genetic background. You could breed a German shepherd with a Chihuahua and it would look like a Samoyed,” said Nelson.

What’s important is interacting with the animal and finding out if you hit it off.

“We do a meet and greet,” explained Evans. “We ask them to bring in their other animals, if they have them. There’s nothing more disappointing than when it doesn’t fit their needs.”

Evans reminded that, while puppies may be irresistibly cute, they take time to train and housebreak.

“We try to make sure people understand how much time, training, patience, etc., goes into raising a puppy before they make the commitment. If they’re not going to put in the time, then they’re going to typically end up with a dog that misbehaves, which is something that no one wants.”

Another thing to keep in mind is that the larger the animal, the shorter the lifespan. Cats and small dogs can easily live to be 15 or older, while giant breeds like Great Danes or Irish wolfhounds typically are gone by age 8 or 9.

So what’s the best breed? Grant said that’s a question she’s often asked and she refuses to answer.

“I don’t blanket recommend any breed or not recommend any breed,” she said. “There isn’t a perfect dog for every situation.”

Pick the Right Animal

DOG

Loyal and loving, dogs are social animals that thrive on being upstanding members of their families. If there are young kids in the house, a puppy may not be your best bet. Instead, try a mediumsized dog older than five months. Make sure the breed and temperament mesh with your lifestyle.

CAT

Graceful, athletic, playful, sensitive and affectionate, felines are the most popular pet in the United States today and stand high on the cuddle scale. Cats are not dogs; they can be very independent.

BUDGIE (Common Pet Parakeet)

Playful, cheery and chirpy, this little charmer is the most popular avian companion. He's gentle and funny and can be easily trained to sit on your shoulder. Be warned: Birds can be messy and you’ll need to clean the cage and surrounding area daily.

FISH

Got allergies, limited space and/or lean toward the exotic? Fish can be a great choice. While they’re relatively low maintenance, there's a definite science to keeping them and their environment healthy.

GUINEA PIG

The most docile of all companion rodents, under adult supervision guinea pigs are excellent first pets for children. They are fun for the whole family, but be aware they have special dietary needs.

HAMSTER

These nocturnal charmers are busy little rodents. They’re popular with kids and make great pets for apartment dwellers. If you're a night owl and/or won't be bothered by your pet eating, digging and running on his wheel in the wee hours, they may be right for you.

RABBIT

They can be trained to use a litter box, they'll come when called and their all-time favorite activities are digging and chewing. Keep them inside. Outside, rabbits can die of fright and are susceptible to diseases spread by ticks and other parasites.

For more information, visit aspca.org/adopt/adoption-tips/right-pet-you

To help you pick the right pet, take this quiz: animalplanet.com/pets/pet-picker-quiz/