Fish are amazing pets! By sheer volume, they are the number one pet in North America. If you are considering adding this pet to your family, here is some information that you may want to consider.

What Type of Fish?

Whether it’s a goldfish in a bowl or a stunning coral beauty angelfish in a saltwater mini reef, your options in fish ownership are tremendous. If you are looking for a low maintenance and less expensive option, freshwater and pond fish are great options. If you are interested in a large variety of brightly colored fish, you may be interested in a saltwater aquarium. If you want to expand and vary your aquarium, you can create a mini reef, complete with corals and invertebrates. Check with your local pet supply or aquarium shop to find out about the options and requirements for these different types of pets.

Pros of Fish Ownership

• Fish require the least amount of space of all pets. If you are looking for a space-saving pet, fish can be a great option. Many renters must pay large fees for housing cats or dogs, but not so for these aquatic pets.
• Depending upon the type of fish that you choose to keep, fish can be a very inexpensive option. A goldfish, a bowl, and fish flakes could cost less than a fast food dinner for a family. Typically, smaller freshwater fish are a less expensive pet option, whereas, saltwater fish—depending upon your choice—can get rather pricey. Nonetheless, annual care for fish is often much less than for other pets.
• Fish tanks can add a soothing element to your home. Quite simply, an aquarium full of fish can look beautiful. It promotes feelings of calm and peacefulness. Fish come in a vast variety of shapes, sizes and colors. Simply watching them for a few minutes a day can help you feel relaxed and connected to nature.
• Fish require minimal maintenance because they are independent. They do not need you to entertain or exercise them. In fact, they entertain us. Unlike most pets, fish require very little daily care other than feeding (which could range from twice a day up to every three days), changing their water, and cleaning algae from their tank.

Cons of Fish Ownership

• Despite being low maintenance, fish do require care. While feeding is obvious, water care can be challenging. If you own freshwater fish, you should plan on changing 10-15% of the water weekly, making sure that the water is habitable for the type of fish you own. This includes such things as ensuring correct pH, eliminating chlorine, and maintaining proper temperature. If you own saltwater fish, water maintenance can be much more labor intensive.
• Fish deaths are common. Fish can die for many reasons, due to improper care, other predatory fish, challenging water conditions, or an unknown underlying disease. Having to go through the process of removing a dead fish and replacing it with another fish can be hard for people, especially children.
• One downside to owning a sedentary pet like fish is that they can be difficult to move. While moving a small fishbowl can be managed with relative ease and a few possible splashes of water, moving tanks and aquariums can be quite demanding. A 50-gallon tank will weigh more than 600 pounds when full of water.

If you are thinking of adding a pet to your family, fish might be a great place to start. The relative ease of owning and caring for fish make them a popular family pet.

Dogs can make amazing pets. There are many reasons that the term “man’s best friend” rings true across the globe. Yet, dog ownership isn’t for everyone. If you are thinking of adding a dog to your family, there are several factors to consider. Here is a list of pros and cons of dog ownership.

Pros of Dog Ownership

• Companionship– The main reason that many people add a dog to their home is because of the unconditional love, affection, and acceptance that these animals offer to their owners. Dogs relish your company and shows pure joy at your presence. Dogs are animals that need your companionship. They love car rides, vacations, visiting your office, and truly being anywhere that you are.
• Exercise– Dogs, no matter the breed, need daily exercise. If you are looking for daily motivation to take walks, hikes, or runs a dog many be a good choice for your family. Dogs act like the ultimate accountability partner.
• Teaches Responsibility– Due to their need for daily care, dogs teach a great deal of responsibility. It is important to remember that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that families wait until children are mature enough to handle and care for an animal—usually around age 5 or 6—if the child is to help share in the responsibilities of pet ownership.^[1]
• Adorable– Are you looking for a four-legged friend to make you continually smile? A quick browse on any social media outlet will quickly show just how adorable dogs can be. Their goofy smile, mischievous behavior, and silly personalities can warm the coldest heart.
• Empathetic and Loyal– Dogs are free from human restraints like pride and materialism. They are trusting, truthful, grateful, unselfish and forgiving. They live joyfully. They love absolutely without condition.

Cons of Dog Ownership

• Cost– Dogs can be expensive! Quality pet food, trips to the veterinarian, and (depending upon the breed) grooming can add up quickly. If your family is in a budget crunch, carefully consider this aspect before adding a dog to your family.
• Time Commitment– Dogs require daily care. They must be fed, groomed, cleaned up after, and exercised every day. If you have a busy on-the-go family, consider the amount of time that a dog requires compared to what you have to give. By adding a dog to your family, you are also committing to the lifespan of the animal, which could range from ten to thirteen years depending upon the breed.
• Space– Dogs require room to roam. The majority of large-breed dogs need space to run and play, whether that is in a local park or a fenced-in backyard. It is possible to own a dog while living in an apartment or other smaller space, but you will need to be creative and committed to offering your dog opportunities to run and play.
• Training– If you start with a puppy, you will begin with housetraining, but it doesn’t stop there. Training a dog—either by yourself or with the help of an expert—to sit, lie down, stay, come, stop, and get along peacefully with other people and animals is a big jobs. All of this takes a great deal of time and patience.

Consider the Breed

Not all dogs are created equal. Each breed has different advantages and disadvantages. Dogs such as retrievers and beagles tend to be gentle with kids. Other breeds, such as Chihuahuas, Doberman pinschers, German shepherds, and miniature French poodles, may be more unpredictable. Shih Tzu, Saint Bernards, and bulldogs are generally less active, whereas terriers, retrievers, boxers, and sheep dogs tend to be the opposite. Keep the breed’s characteristics in mind when selecting a dog.

The decision to add a dog to your family is monumental. Carefully weighing the pros and cons of adding a dog to your family will ensure that you are happy with your decision for years to come.