There are many things one has to consider before choosing a pet for the family.  While all pets require attention, there are some that demand more than others.   

In addition, there is the cost factor. 

Then there are the ages of your children, the number of people in your household, how busy the household is, and how much time you can realistically spend training the pet, giving it attention, and tending to its needs for food, love, companionship, toileting, and other essentials which help make it an emotionally secure and happy animal.  

Therefore, given all these considerations, the determination as to whether or not having a pet has to be worked through carefully by all parties concerned. 

Before making a decision, you have to ask: Is our family ready for a pet?  Let’s take a closer look at the most important issues regarding this decision. 

Here is a typical scenario:  It’s a beautiful spring day and you decide to take your small children into town.  While there, you happen to pass a pet shop.   

The kids naturally become quite excited at the puppies and kittens on display.  They press their noses up against the window and begin “choosing” which puppy or kitten they want to bring home.  

 “Please, mommy, please, can we get one?” they cry.   

What are you supposed to do!   

You can stall for time by telling them that you will have to discuss it with the other parent first.  You might be totally fibbing, of course.  

OR, you might actually have an eye on one puppy that you would love to take home as well.  Sound familiar? 

Now comes the hard part. Deciding whether or not your family is ready for a pet.  So the discussion begins.  The following questions can be applied to a puppy or kitten.