by JULIA OLIVAS
If you work late nights or a regular job, travel a lot, or spend most of your time at home, you might be wondering whether or not you should get a pet. Luckily, there are many different types of pets are out there which all require different levels of attention. When adopting a pet, your lifestyle and theirs must be in sync. For example, dogs like to wake up with the sun and go to bed when it gets dark. If you’re not home to take them out when they need to go potty outside, a dog might not be the right pet for you.
When getting a pet, your lifestyle should play an important role when deciding which type of pet is right for you, if any. Unfortunately, some people’s lifestyles don’t allow them to get a pet, even if they really want one. For instance, if you spend more than eight hours away from your home every day without anyone available to take care of them when you’re gone, getting a pet may not be right for you. Luckily, most people are willing to make small changes to their lifestyle to become pet parents, but there are some things, like your work schedule, that you can’t change.
Choosing a pet that fits your lifestyle makes it easier for both of you. You won’t have to adjust your schedule to ensure your pet is happy and healthy, and your pet won’t have to go through anxiety wondering where you are late at night. We’ve got you covered if you’re wondering what animal is best for your lifestyle. Check out these different lifestyles and the animals that complement them.
Night Owls
Don’t get a dog if you work at night or stay active throughout the night instead of during the day. Dogs have an internal body clock that lets them know when to go to sleep. Most dogs will start dozing off as soon as the sun goes down, which is why putting your dog in a dark room quickly puts them to sleep.
However, if you’re awake while your dog is sleeping and asleep when your dog is up, you don’t have the time to build a proper relationship with them. Additionally, having a schedule that’s out of sync with your pet can make it difficult to take care of them. Your dog will need to go outside as soon as they wake up, which you can bet will be fairly early in the morning. If you’re not awake to take them out, your pet may have accidents in the house or have a poor quality of life because you don’t spend time with them. While being a pet parent to a dog is great, there’s no reason to adopt a dog unless you’re willing to alter your lifestyle to fit their needs.
Instead, animals ideal for night people include:
- Cats: Cats are more active around dusk and dawn, and even sometimes late into the night. Cats nap during the day, so if you’re a night person, you can actually spend time with your pet at night if you get a cat. They also are more self-sufficient, so you won’t have to worry about taking them outside to do their business.
- Rabbits: Rabbits are fairly easy to take care of, and they don’t like being handled during the day because that’s when they normally sleep.
- Fish: Taking care of fish is much easier than any other pet because you simply have to feed them daily and clean their tank every now and then. Besides that, your fish can live a long and happy life requiring very little from you.
Roommates
If you have roommates or are thinking about getting one, you should always ask whether or not they like a certain type of pet to ensure there won’t be any problems. Some people are afraid of dogs, cats, birds, and even gerbils, so it’s always best to ask. Additionally, if you plan on having roommates while being a pet parent, you should ask about their experience with pets. Many say they’re pet people but don’t know how to care for an animal. When you’re not around, your roommate will be responsible for your pet, so you want to ensure they can care for them easily.
Unless your roommate has had a dog of their own or knows how to properly care for dogs, it might be best to wait to get a dog since you’ll have to rely on someone else to take them outside during the day. Instead, consider getting an easier pet like a cat, which will take care of itself.
Singles and Couples
If you work a regular 9-5 job, you can get any pet you want as long as you can take proper care of them. Dogs thrive with individuals who work regular jobs or work from home because they are at their healthiest when they can have regular schedules. If you can spend tons of time training your dog, taking them on walks, and ensuring they get enough potty breaks throughout the day, you will make a perfect dog parent. However, you can really get any pet you want if you work a regular job because you’ll be home enough to care for them.
Dogs are typically the most difficult pets to care for because they depend on you so much.
Dogs need lots of attention, toys, and exercise to live a happy life. If you’re the type to make your pet your world with lots of pictures of them around your house or even the type to get a mug with their face on it, a dog may be the perfect pet for you. They’ll return your love and affection with joy! Other pets, on the contrary, don’t depend on you as long as you feed them and fill up their water bowls. Therefore, if you can raise a dog, you can raise any pet you want.
Athletes
If you love your active lifestyle and would rather be outside getting your heart rate up instead of a peaceful weekend inside, a high-energy dog breed may be just right for you. Some dog breeds thrive on high-energy lifestyles, so if you want a companion to accompany you on all your adventures, retriever breeds, spaniels, terries, huskies, and shepherd breeds will be the right choice for you. These dogs thrive off of mental and physical stimulation, so they’re the perfect friend to come with you on your next golfing round, run, or even while out on a boat.
Travelers
If you travel for fun or work a lot or leave your home for more than a few hours at a time, a dog is not the right pet for you. Dogs get attached to their human companions, so it’s unfair to leave them with family, friends, or at boarding facilities while you travel the world without them. Instead, you might be a good candidate for another type of pet. For example, cats can be left alone for a few days as long as you give them plenty of food and water. Meanwhile, fish and reptiles can be left for longer periods as long as you have someone who can come feed them regularly.
Choosing the Right Pet for You
Adopting a pet is a huge responsibility, and you must ensure you can properly care for their health. If you can’t dedicate yourself to an animal, you might not be ready for a pet of your own. However, if you’re willing to alter your lifestyle enough to take care of an animal, it’s up to you to decide what type of animal you want. Do your research and find your new furry best friend.
Julia Olivas graduated from San Francisco State University with her B.A. in Communication Studies. She is a freelance writer where she loves sharing her passion for digital marketing and content creation. Outside of writing, she loves cooking, reading, painting, and her pup, “Ruby.”
