Choosing a New Pet for Your FamilyAdding a new pet to your family can be an enjoyable experience. It is important to pick a pet that suits your lifestyle and preferences, and not make decisions based on emotion.It is also essential to select a pet that suits the personality of your existing pets. A playful cat may not be the ideal choice for a cat who is suffering from arthritis.Choosing the Right PetChoosing the right pet for your family is a crucial decision and not a decision to be taken lightly. Before making the decision to adopt a pet it is important to be aware of the stage of development of your child, your family and the animal's needs. If you can you can involve your children in the process of choosing a new pet. It's also a good idea to visit a friend or family member who owns an animal so that your kids can get an idea of the responsibilities involved and how different animals behave.When you are choosing a new pet, remember that you'll need to take care of it throughout its entire life. You will have to provide shelter, food and veterinary care, a comfortable environment, and plenty of love for your pet. Unless you have a very large backyard, it is best to stick with small or medium pets such as cats and dogs since they can be accommodated in smaller spaces.Be sure to know the costs associated with the pet you're looking at. Certain breeds of pets can be very expensive. Certain breeds may require vaccinations and parasite control regularly, which can increase the cost of owning them. You should also factor in the cost of grooming and toys when required.Be prepared for your other pets to act differently at first towards the new pet. This can include hiding or growling, barking and trying to push the pet away. This is a normal part of the adjustment process and should be gone within a few weeks if all parties are calm and respectful.A reputable animal welfare organization or shelter can assist you to locate the perfect pet for your family. They can discuss with you your preferences and lifestyle and suggest suitable animals in their care facilities. They can also help you decide whether you're better off to adopting a trained pet or purchasing one from a breeder. Most often, rescue animals have been socialized and can be a great fit with young families.Making Your Home ReadyPets require a quiet, safe and comfortable place to sleep and rest. Whether it is a dog bed or cat cage, set up an area for your pet to relax in so that they can become accustomed to their new environment and feel comfortable. Also, keep a bowl of food and water, as well as toys ready to go. These items will help your pet feel right at home and allow them to feel comfortable.It is crucial to ensure that pets are not in your home, too. Garbage lids should be secure and household chemicals should be kept out of reach curtains, cords for curtains and loose wires must be taped up, and small objects such as pencils and pens should be disposed of. Be sure to check the yard for dangers like antifreeze or plant fertilizers which could be harmful to pets.It's a good idea to have a family meeting prior to your pet's arrival to discuss the rules of the house and assign chores. This will make everyone feel more accountable and dependable, particularly when the pet is young or still adjusting to their new environment. This will allow you to create a schedule for pet care to ensure that everyone is on the same page with feedings, walks, or time to play.Puppy, kittens and old shelter animals require consistency in their lives to adjust to their new environment. They won't learn when you let them sit on the couch one day, but not the next. Or if someone thinks that a nip is cute, but someone else isn't happy with it.Establishing routines that are consistent will help ease your pet into its new surroundings and allow you to learn more about it. It's also recommended to bring along the type of food your pet is used to eating, rather than making a fresh start with a diet. This will allow your pet to settle in faster and prevent digestive upsets. You should also buy a collar and leash for your pet, as well as an identification tag.How to take care of Your New PetIt is a significant commitment and a huge responsibility to bring an animal into your home. Pets require a considerable amount of time to look after their health and well-being, which includes daily exercise and grooming, as well as feeding and medical attention as well as love. Dogs can live up to 17 years and cats may live for 20 or more years, so your family needs to be prepared to commit for a long time to their health and well-being.Before your new pet arrives, discuss with everyone in your household what you expect from the animal and what expectations you have of each other. Setting clear and consistent expectations can help avoid frustration and confusion for both pet owners and pets. Determine in advance the terms you'll be using for your vocabulary to ensure that your pet doesn't interpret "no" as "drop it" or "leave".If you have other pets be aware of how they react to your new pet. Certain pets are good with other animals due to their nature while others are more cautious. Be pet healthy to introduce them in a secure environment where they can be monitored. Keep the interaction low key initially, just one sniff here and there until they seem comfortable.Make sure that your new pet has access to fresh water and a litter box that is properly sized for the pet. Also take a look around your house and pet-proof it in the same manner you would for a child. This includes covering electrical sockets and cords, tucking them away, and making sure your new pet can't reach any items they might be able to chew, bite or knock. Crate training is an excellent method to ensure your pet's safety particularly if they're young. Crates aren't able to provide total protection from the teeth and claws of a puppy, but they can reduce the risk of injury.Make an inventory of all the things you'll require to bring with you when you bring your new pet home, from toys to food and have the supplies ready to ensure that there is no time to wait before welcoming your pet into their new home. If you decide to adopt an animal that requires medication, be sure to have the medications on hand to begin treatment right away.The Art of Teaching Your ChildPet ownership is a great way to teach kids about responsibility. It is essential that children realize that pets are a permanent member of the family, and require constant care in addition to playtime. Discuss the obligations with your child ahead of time to ensure that they're competent. Discuss pet healthy and whether there are any activities that may conflict with caring for an animal. Also, you should have a backup plan for feeding your pet in the event that they are unable.In types of pets between your pet and your child be a positive influence and teach them to treat their pet's companions with kindness and respect. This is particularly important if your pet isn't used to being around children. Children can be rough with animals, and this can scare them. Learn to teach your children to stroke their pets gently and talk to them in a calm manner. Also, do not allow your children too much contact with your pet. This can be a source of fear.Through their body language, animals let you know if they are unsure or require space. Your children must be taught to watch for these signals and remove themselves from the situation before they escalate their defensive signal into an air snap, growl or a scratch or bite. A pet that is devoted to them will reduce stress in teens and children. They can count on their pets to show love and affection which is an ideal and natural emotional release.Children who take care of their pets learn compassion and empathy. This will allow them to become more understanding and compassionate in the future. This is an important life lesson that they can't learn by just washing the dishes or removing the garbage. Michigan 4-H provides more details about the lessons pets can teach.