By Katelyn Schutz CPDT
The Perfect Pet for You: the Fun Family!
So you’re a fun family with a few children, and you’d like to add a ‘new addition’ to the household, in the form of a companion pet. The professional pet sitters at Wisconsin Pet Care can’t wait to care for your new fur baby! But how will you pick the pet that best suits your family’s lifestyle? Let these tips help guide you to finding the perfect pet match!
The Dog.
Having a dog in the home can be one of the most rewarding and enriching things in a child’s life. But picking the right canine for your family is essential to having a happy, balanced household.
Puppy vs. Dog. Active families may really love having a young puppy in the house to play with. Though you can easily mold a puppy and train them how you’d like to them to grow up around your children, they can also be much more work for a busy family. Hiring a professional dog walker is a must in this case! An lower maintenance adult dog who is already house-trained and isn’t full of excessive puppy energy may be a better match. Regardless of age, assess the dog’s behavior with children. You will want to look for an easy-going pooch who is tolerant of being handled. Consider a rescue dog that has been in foster care, and is known to be well-socialized around children.
Size matters. Small dogs are more fragile, and may require a lot more supervision around younger children to ensure safety. Large dogs can sometimes be too imposing, knocking over toddlers. Your decision on what size of dog to get will also depend on the space you will have for your pet dog in your home. Big or small, Wisconsin Pet Care is happy to provide professional dog walking and pet sitting services for your new pooch!
The Cat.
Felines can make wonderful pets for a fun family! For those families busy shuffling kids from soccer games to band practice, a lower maintenance pet like a cat could be a perfect fit. Cats provide great companionship when you’re home, but can be moderately easy and simple to care for in even the busiest of lifestyles. When traveling on family vacation, it’s easy to book a trusted professional pet sitter like Wisconsin Pet Care to love and care for your feline while you’re away! Daily litter box scooping, feeding, and play time can be great ways to teach children the responsibility of caring for a pet.
Friendly feline. If you’re thinking of getting a cat, be sure to assess it’s temperament around children. Look for a affable cat who shows outgoing behaviors and seeks attention; this type of cat is most likely to tolerate handling and playing with kids. For example, consider the resilient and hardy Maine Coon cat, whom are notorious for being good-natured and sociable. Skittish or timid cats often find children to be too unpredictable, so they tend to be more reclusive in a family home with little rugrats running about. Test the kitty’s reaction to loud noises and fast movements to ensure this feline will fit in your sometimes frantic family.
Kitten vs. Cat. Consider a kitten over an elderly cat if you have little ones. High energy, playful kittens benefit more from being in a home with active kids who will exercise and engage them frequently. Your children may find a quiet, older cat boring, and loose interest in bonding with your new pet. Also, you may find it’s easier to acclimate a young kitten to life with kids, than it is to teach an adult cat to accept handling from children.
The Small Animal.
Guinea pigs, and rats, and hamsters, oh my! There are many small animals out there that can make amazing companion pets for a fun family. Did you know Wisconsin Pet Care also provides professional pet sitting for small animals too?
Do your research. Husbandry and basic care varies from animal to animal. Find a pet that is reasonable, and will fit in your home (some need cages, aquariums, and special housing). Research how long the small animal is expected to live. Children can build strong bonds to their pet, and if their gerbil only lives for 6 months, they may be devastated.
Consider an “ordinary” small animal instead of an “exotic” pet. Though exotic pets can be exemplary learning tools for children, they tend to be much more high maintenance and challenging to care for. This could be difficult for a busy family to keep up with.
Of course, every pet is an individual, so these guidelines will go on a case by case basis. Not all old pets act old, and not all animals follow their typical breed standards. Assess each pet individually, and decide what pet is best for your lifestyle. Let these starting points lead you to your perfect pet!
