In a recent PDSA report, I read a worrying statistic that 1 in 4 pets were acquired with no research undertaken into their needs or demands. Other findings included that 2/3 pet owners were unaware of a pet’s basic welfare requirements, and only one in twenty sought advice from a veterinary professional ahead of taking on a pet. So, here is my take on the various merits of common pet types.

Dogs
Likely to be the most labour intensive small pet option, dogs require daily exercise, grooming of variable intensity, and lots of interaction and training. They are also the most expensive – the PDSA estimates the lifetime cost of owning a dog is £20,000- £30,000. A large back garden is not an adequate exercise regime. Most dogs, regardless of their size, require at least an hour of walking or, better still, ‘off-the-lead’ exercise a day. Long-haired dogs require grooming, brushing, cutting or ‘stripping’ to keep their coats in good order. Dogs make ideal pets for people who have the time, money and commitment to look after a highly interactive and affectionate companion.

Cats
Cats take away some outdoor time commitments of owning a pet, but still require lots of social interaction and have an estimated lifetime cost of £17,000-£24,000. Different cat breeds have different personality traits. Burmese and Tonkinese are particularly affectionate, while Siamese and Orientals are notably ‘chatty’ and enjoy a nice lap to sit in. Bengals are strikingly handsome and acrobatic, and British shorthairs and Persians are famously lazy!

Rabbits and Guinea Pigs
Less labour intensive again, a rabbit can still cost up to £15,000 over its lifetime. They’re better pets for younger families and enjoy a moderate amount of handling – rabbits more than guinea pigs. They are social creatures and best kept in multiples – they suffer boredom and loneliness if kept on their own. Understanding dietary requirements is very important with rabbits, as they are very often fed incorrectly.

Rodents
Mice, rats, hamsters and gerbils are not as popular as they once were, but still have many attractive traits. Rats are particularly intelligent and sociable, and despite a tainted reputation, they make excellent pets. Gerbils are usually quite handleable, more so than hamsters who can be a bit nippy. Hamsters can be more active at night time and Syrian hamsters are solitary creatures, whereas other rodents tend to prefer and benefit from company.

Discussing different dog breeds is a book in itself, and other commonly kept pets I haven’t mentioned include ferrets, fish, reptiles and birds, all with very different requirements. Don’t be shy about contacting your local vet to ask which pet or breed they recommend. And please don’t be fooled into choosing a pet on a whim or based on how it looks.