Innholdsfortegnelse for Choosing Your Pets: selecting and keeping family friendly pets i Choosing Your Pets: selecting and keeping family friendly pets

Pet-keeping is now more popular than ever, which is perhaps not surprising, given the wide-ranging benefits that keeping a pet can bring to our daily lives. Scientific studies have revealed that pets can aid our mental well-being for example, lower our blood pressure and even help children to read. The increasingly wide range of pets kept today means that there is literally a pet for everyone. In fact, if you or someone else in your home is allergic to fur and feathers, then you can chose fish or what are often described as ‘exotic pets’, such as a tortoise or a tree frog. Obtaining a pet of any kind is not something to be entered into lightly though, because it represents a significant commitment. You will need to consider a…

Small furry pets are growing rapidly in popularity, with the choice available today being larger than ever before. This means that you need to consider the type of small animal that appeals to you, and is best-suited to your lifestyle more carefully than ever, particularly if you are in search of a suitable pet for a child. While rabbits rank as the most popular small furry pet today, they are perhaps less suitable for children than is often believed. They can be quite difficult to control, and, with powerful hind legs, they can inflict nasty scratches with their claws if they become frightened for any reason. Always ensure that children only handle rabbits wearing long-sleeved tops, so as to protect their arms. If a rabbit falls, even a short distance,…

There are few things more restful than being able to sit in front of an aquarium, watching the occupants swimming around. It is no wonder that you can find aquariums in potentially stressful locations, such as dentists’ waiting rooms. Studies have revealed that time spent simply observing fish can bring measurable health benefits for people, as reflected by a lowering of blood pressure for example. Also, in locations such as flats where it may not be possible to keep other pets, there is usually no problem when it comes to fish. They make no noise and are unlikely to upset the neighbours! Relatively small tanks will take up very little space. There’s a huge range of different fish to choose from, so you do need to think carefully about the…

For many people, a dog is the obvious starting point when thinking about which type of pet to choose. This is probably almost instinctive, given that dogs have been our closest companions for over 25,000 years. But you need to be aware that dogs rank as probably the most demanding of pets, and this means that you must think particularly carefully, before deciding to keep a dog. What to consider In the first place, there are cost issues to consider, as having a pet dog will have a marked impact on the family budget. Leaving aside the expense of potentially buying a puppy in the first place, there is also the price of the equipment that you will need, such as a collar, lead and some toys. On its own,…

Canaries All domestic strains of canary are descended from the wild canary (Serinus canarius), which inhabits the Canary Islands off the coast of Africa. The canary has a long history of domestication, with this process starting in the 1500s. Pet canaries are kept primarily for their song, and tend not to become as tame as members of the parrot family. Cocks sing throughout the year, except for when they are moulting, and so can normally be distinguished on this basis. Avoid housing cock birds together, as they are likely to fight, but keeping two males in the same room in separate cages should result in them competing against each other in song. The singing abilities of domestic canaries far exceed those of their wild cousins, and they are generally more…

For people living on their own, then a cat may be a better choice than a dog. The costs are not that dissimilar, compared with keeping a small dog. Although cats appreciate routine, they are generally more self-reliant by nature than dogs, and do not require to be taken out daily for a walk. It is possible to train a cat to use a cat flap, allowing your pet to come and go as it wishes, whether you are home or not. Furthermore, cats tend to sleep more during the day, waking up when you are likely to be coming back from work. Out and about Unfortunately, however, cats are vulnerable to being hit by vehicles if kept near a main road. They have no road sense, and even after…

Advances in technology over recent years have now made it easier than ever to keep pets of this type, meaning reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates. Members of this group are ideal where space is limited, and as the vast majority need to live indoors in temperate climates, the absence of a garden is not an issue. Furthermore, these creatures are very quiet by nature, and are unlikely in many cases to upset neighbours, although it is worth bearing in mind that not everyone may share your interest in snakes and spiders. Security to prevent escapes is therefore very important. The expense involved in keeping exotics varies widely, both in terms of their housing and feeding costs. Some invertebrates such as stick insects can be kept and maintained for virtually nothing, making…