How to choose the right pet for your lifestyle
Time, space, budget, lifespan, allergies, and travel: six honest questions to ask before you bring a pet home, plus a side-by-side comparison of 10 popular pets.
Most pets that end up rehomed weren’t bad pets. They were the wrong fit. A few honest questions before you bring an animal home can save both of you a lot of stress.
Six questions to ask yourself
- How much time do I really have each day? Not on your best day, on an ordinary Tuesday. A dog may need two hours; a betta fish needs ten minutes plus weekly tank care.
- How much space do I have? Rabbits need far more room than a pet-store hutch, and many dogs need more than a small apartment and a short walk.
- What can I spend every month? Food and supplies are only part of it. Set money aside for vet care, which is often the biggest cost.
- How long can I commit? Hamsters live two to three years. Cats can live past 18. Some tortoises outlive their owners.
- Does anyone at home have allergies? Fur and dander rule out many popular pets, and birds can trigger allergies too.
- How often am I away? Every pet needs care when you travel. Some cope well with a sitter dropping in; others need someone with them.
10 popular pets, side by side
| Pet | Lifespan | Daily time | Space | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dog | 10–13 years (varies by breed) | 1–2+ hours a day | Medium to large, plus daily walks | $$$$ |
| Cat | 12–18 years | 30–60 minutes a day | Small to medium (indoors is safest) | $$$ |
| Rabbit | 8–12 years | Several hours of free-roam time a day | Lots of floor space, not a small hutch | $$$ |
| Guinea Pigs | 5–7 years | About an hour a day | A roomy enclosure plus floor time | $$ |
| Hamster | 2–3 years | 15–30 minutes a day, in the evening | One large enclosure | $ |
| Fancy Rats | 2–3 years | An hour or more of out-of-cage time a day | A large, multi-level cage | $$ |
| Budgies | 5–10 years (sometimes more) | An hour or more a day | A wide cage plus safe flying time | $$ |
| Betta Fish | 3–5 years | 10 minutes a day plus weekly tank care | A heated, filtered tank of 5+ gallons (20+ liters) | $ |
| Leopard Gecko | 10–20 years | 15–30 minutes a day | A tank with a warm side and a cool side | $$ |
| Tortoise | 40–60+ years (often longer than their owners) | 30–60 minutes a day | A large enclosure, ideally with outdoor time in warm weather | $$$ |
Costs are relative ($ = lowest, $$$$ = highest) and vary a lot by country, breed or species, and vet prices.
Think about the animal’s needs, not just yours
Some popular pets are social animals that shouldn’t live alone: guinea pigs, rats, budgies, and usually rabbits do best with a companion of their own kind. Others, like Syrian hamsters and male betta fish, must live alone. Getting this right is one of the easiest ways to have a happier pet.
Adopt if you can
Shelters and rescues have far more than dogs and cats. Many have rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, and birds too, and their staff can help match you with an animal whose personality they already know.