Animal Care/Comparison

If you are interested in adding a pet to your household, it is important to pick one which suits your lifestyle. For example - Some pets don't mind if you never have time to play with them - while others may fall to pieces. The two main varieties of pets are domestic animals and exotic animals.

Domestic Pets
Generally, domestic pets are cheap and plentiful. Some examples of domestic animals are cats, dogs, hamsters, and rabbits. Although these animals can be adopted from breeders, there are many happy and well adjusted homeless pets at animal shelters all over the world. Generally it is much cheaper to adopt a pet from a shelter than to buy one from a breeder, and many shelters provide all kinds of breeds to choose from.

Dogs
Dogs tend to be very loving, and desire a lot of human interaction. If you are interested in owning a dog you should be prepared to devote a lot of time to exercising and expressing a lot of affection. They are a good choice for families or people with a lot of spare time.

Cats
Cats are relatively independent. They require little care, but benefit from all attention given to them. If you are unable to spend much time interacting with a pet, adopting two cats is a good option. They can socialize with each other when you are not around. Contrary to popular belief, cats are quite expressive and affectionate. If you have not spent much time around cats, it is a good idea to read about their body language and how they communicate.

Hamsters
Hamsters and rodents require the least cost and level of care of all domestic animals. They have a very short lifespan (~3 years) and their food is very cheap. But like other domestics they can benefit a great deal from affection and attention. They may have a fear of humans (this is a greater risk if they were purchased as an adult), but with patience and empathy they may grow to desire contact. If you are unable or do not want to interact with them, toys and environmental enrichment can lead to a fulfilling life for the rodent and can be interesting for the owner to watch.

Rabbits
Rabbits have been known to make good indoor pets - but most often they are kept in hutches outdoors. They have shorter lifespans than cats and many dogs. Although they are more prone to anxiety and a fear of humans than cats and dogs, with proper care they can be just as affectionate and emotionally connected. They are much quieter than other pets - they may make no vocalizations at all.

Exotic Pets
Exotic pets tend to be more expensive than domestic pets. Some examples of exotic pets are parrots, tropical fish, and reptiles. Besides the cost of the animal when you buy them, medical and caretaking costs can be quite high. The lifespan of the animal - and the level of difficulty in owning them - range wildly. You should only choose an exotic pet if you have spent a great deal of time educating yourself about the species.