Is your family looking to add an adorable, cuddly, small animal to your family? Small mammals such as rabbits, guinea pigs, mice, hamsters, gerbils, hedgehogs, and ferrets often make amazing family pets!  Weighing the pros and cons of adopting one of these small creatures is an important first step. Here is a list to help you with your decision.

Pros of Small Pet Ownership 

• Small pets are some of the easiest pets! As a general rule, small pets require minimal care. They require regular food and water, cage-cleaning, and interaction. Due to their low-maintenance demeanor, they often make good first pets for young children.

• These furry animals are adorable! Stop by any pet store and you are sure to see people gathered around the small-animal cages. Most humans, especially children, love small, fuzzy creatures.

• Small pets enjoy exercise and exploring! While these animals do enjoy their cages (which makes them a perfect pet for small spaces, such as apartments), they also enjoy time out and about. Allowing your small animal to move about in a safe, cleanable roaming area (such as a pen or another enclosed environment) leads to a happy pet and happy owners. Some larger animals (such as rabbits or ferrets) can even be put on a leash. By providing a secure area for your rodent to explore, you also provide for your family the opportunity to engage and interact with your pet.

Cons of Small Pet Ownership

• Small animals often have a shorter life span (2-5 years depending upon the species).

• Although rodents require less maintenance than many other pets, they still need your commitment of time and care. You should plan to spend time interacting with any pet every day to enrich their lives and monitor their health and well-being.

• Many animals in the rodent family are nocturnal. These pets are less apt to play and engage with humans during the daytime since they are naturally more active during the night. Their nighttime noise may also bother your sleepy family.

• Small animals can bite! While they are small and generally docile, some small animals will scratch or bite. Some small mammals, like gerbils, are less likely to bite and scratch humans, whereas other varieties, such as hamsters, are more apt to defend themselves in this manner.

• Some rodents, such as mice and ferrets, have an odor about them that can be off-putting to many people. All small animals will need absorbent bedding and frequent cage-cleanings to keep the cage smelling fresh and the pet feeling content.

Adding a pet, even a small one, to your family is a big decision! Before deciding to add a small pet to your family, the American Veterinary Medical Association recommends that you understand its housing, social and environmental needs, and any other factors that might be challenging for your household. Considering all of these factors is the best way to ensure that you find the right pet for your family.

Birds are popular pets around the world. A bird is an intelligent, beautiful, affectionate animal. Birds can make wonderful companions, but they aren’t for everyone. If you are considering adding a bird to your family, here is a list of pros and cons of bird ownership.

Pros of Bird Ownership

• There is a large variety of birds that make great pets. As you begin researching bird species, think about what you are looking for in a pet: Companionship? Beauty? Song? Learn about a number of bird species and consider your desires as well as the bird’s needs for housing, nutrition, and attention.
• Birds are incredibly intelligent. They can reason, problem-solve, and even perform tricks. Many varieties of parrots can rival the intelligence of a human toddler. Some birds may sing and whistle or learn to imitate speech. Many birds have enormous amounts of personality, and their owners find their antics incredibly entertaining.
• Birds can be very lovable and affectionate toward their owners. Cockatiels are a very popular type of bird pet because they’re cuddly and enjoy crawling right up into your lap. Many varieties of birds also enjoy being hand-fed and having their feathers stroked.
• Birds are active and inquisitive. They need ample room to move about. A safe indoor area is important for flying birds to get good exercise. Birds with clipped wings can get exercise by climbing, swinging, flapping (if provided with ample space), playing with toys, and climbing on structures.

Cons of Bird Ownership

• Many birds are noisy. Vocalizing (squawking, chirping, talking) is an important part of most birds’ social communication, but this vocalization can quickly bother many people, including children.
• Birds are messy. A bird will continually eat throughout the day, dropping and discarding bits of food everywhere. Bird owners also must contend with bird droppings. Birds are instinctively programmed to chew and shred wood, whether it is a perch, toy, picture frame, or furniture. Birds will also chew on nearby electrical cords, paper, and curtains.
• Birds aggravate allergies. Birds continually shed “feather dust” – particles of feathers, which may trigger asthma and allergies in some people.
• Birds require a fair amount of care. The Association of Avian Veterinarians released a statement on Basic Bird Care that highlights the daily needs of pet birds. If you are an active family, it is important to remember that most birds do not enjoy travel, and you will need a reliable pet-caretaker if you plan on being gone for any amount of time.
• Birds need veterinary care from a qualified avian vet (one who specializes in bird care). Proper vet care for birds can be expensive since it will include an initial examination as well as annual well-bird examinations.

The song of a bird is an appealing addition to many homes, but before getting a bird, it is important that you carefully weigh the pros and cons of bird ownership. If, after careful consideration, you think that a bird is right for you, talk with a qualified veterinarian about finding a bird species that best fits your family.

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.

The death of a pet is a difficult and often heartbreaking event. Pets truly can become members of our family. The loss of one of these members is often a child’s first experience with death. Preparing your child for this loss, answering questions, and helping them cope are important steps in preparing for the passing of a beloved family member.

Preparing for a Loss

Depending upon the events that surround the death of your pet, you may have time to prepare your child or you may be breaking the news after the fact. If your pet is older or had health issues, spend time talking with your child about his/her feelings. It is helpful, if possible, to have the child say goodbye before the pet dies. When breaking the news after your pet has passed away, be honest. The Humane Society cautions parents from trying to protect children by saying the pet ran away or went to live somewhere else, as it could cause your child to expect the pet’s return and feel betrayed after discovering the truth.

Answering Questions

Your child is sure to have questions about the death of a pet. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry reminds families the importance of answering children’s questions about the loss of a pet simply but honestly, using terms and concepts the child understands. Some questions are easier than others. It’s okay to say “I don’t know” or “I wish that I knew that answer.” Let your child know it is normal to miss a pet after it dies and encourage them to come to you with questions or for reassurance and comfort.

Helping to Cope

After a pet has passed away, it is important for adults to allow themselves to show their own grief. Showing your own vulnerability may reassure your child that sadness is okay and may help them work through their own grief. Providing your child opportunities to remember their pet is an important part in helping them to heal. It helps for them to talk about the pet with friends and family. Conversations about the pet, both its life and its passing, should be seen as normal and encouraged. After a pet has died, children may want to have a ceremony and bury the pet, or even make a memorial. Other children may write poems and stories, or make drawings of the pet.

The loss of a pet is difficult for everyone, but it can be especially difficult to help children navigate.  Taking the time to prepare your child for the death of a pet, answering their questions while being open and honest, and finding ways to help them to cope are essential means to easing a child’s loss.

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.

There are more than 74 million cats living as pets across North America. If you are considering adding this playful pet to your family, it is important to weigh the pros and cons of cat ownership.  Here is a list to help you with your decision.

Pros of Cat Ownership

• Cats are low maintenance. They do not require a great deal of care. They exercise themselves, sleep more than half of the day, and they are meticulous about their own grooming. As long as they have a clean litter box, fresh food, and fresh water, cats can be left alone for a few days.
• Cats do not require a lot of living space. They do not need a large yard to roam. Most cats hate going outside. They are perfect apartment dwellers. Most cats are happy as long as there is a source of warmth and a window where they can watch the world.
• Cats are affectionate. The stereotype that cats are standoffish is a misconception. Their adoration may be less demonstrative than a dog’s, but they nonetheless are fond of their owners. The noise of a cat’s purr is synonymous with contentment. Cats show their affection by jumping on your lap or curling up next to you on the sofa. Cats adore being petted and enjoy attention. Stroking a cat has even been shown to have a calming effect and reduce stress in people.
• Cats are entertaining. Have you ever watched a cat with a paper bag? Because of their low-maintenance nature, cats are quite content entertaining themselves. Chasing a shadow, darting in and out from under a bed, or playing with cat toys all provide hours of entertainment for a cat and their families. Your cat’s daily antics are guaranteed to make you smile.

Cons of Cat Ownership

• Cats can be willful. Ever heard the expression It’s like herding cats? Unlike dogs who can be easily trained, cats have a will of their own and do not respond to commands. Cats do things in their own way, in their own time.
• Cats require care. While cats are relatively low-maintenance pets, they do require care. Annual veterinarian visits as well as preventative treatments can be costly and time consuming.  Cats use litter-boxes with ease, but those litter-boxes must be maintained often. Also, a downside to cats’ meticulous grooming are the hairballs and vomit that often result.
• Cats shed. If you add a cat to your family, be prepared to deal with cat hair. With the exception of hairless cats (such as the Sphynx breed), cats shed—a lot. It may be a struggle to keep your furniture, carpets, and clothes hair free.
• People can be allergic to cats.  A relatively large number of people have feline allergies. Even if members of your immediate family do not have cat allergies, people who visit your home may struggle with sneezing, watery eyes, and general stuffiness upon visiting you and your furry friend.  

Cats can make exceptional family pets. Considering the pros and cons in advance of adding a fluffy four-legged feline to your household ensures that you are making the right decision for your family.