Pick your perfect pet

Ever wanted to surprise someone with a pet as a present? Whether you're treating your kids or the lady in your life, make sure you've prepared more than just a lovely gesture. Here are a few things to consider before you take the plunge, so you and your pet can live happily ever after!

What can you afford?

Having a pet can be a big financial responsibilty so, before you get one, it's important to know you can afford to look after your animal for its whole life. As well as day to day costs - food, toys, bedding - there are also vet's bills to consider. Before you buy, budget exactly how much you have to spend on a furry, scaly or feathered companion!

Have plenty of money for pets? From horses to macaws, the sky's the limit! When it comes to more domestic animals, cats are generally cheaper to look after than dogs, but both can rack up serious vet's bills. Of course, with a small budget you can still get an awesome pet. Think stick insects, goldfish, hermit crabs or sea monkeys.

How much time do you have?

The best thing about being a pet-owner is spending time with your four-legged friend, so make sure you have time to give. Some pets require more TLC than others and it's crucial to choose an animal that will fit with your lifestyle.

Busy people are best off with relatively low-maintenance pets, like a cat, a fish or (for something a bit different) an ant farm. If you have loads of time to lavish on your pet, try a dog: they'll be happy to go on long walks with you! Want something a bit smaller? Rabbits and guinea pigs are cute, and they need their cages cleaned out quite often.

Where do you live?

Your pet should be as happy in your home as you are, so be sure to take your living situation into account when you're choosing. A good rule of thumb is, the bigger the home, the bigger the pet you can have!

Do you live in a house with land or a garden? Big dogs like lots of open space and many cats like having outdoor territories. Is your home a small house or a flat? Go for smaller rodents or reptiles that are usually kept in cages, like chinchillas, hamsters or even a beautiful gecko.

How active are you?

If you're more of a couch potato than an outdoor explorer, try to choose a pet that won't mind staying indoors too. Of course, getting an active pet might give you a good excuse to do more exercise, but make sure you're ready to commit - your puppy won't want to be stuck at home if you give up on the daily walks.

Cats are great for homebodies because they can please themselves, as are small animals like rabbits, hamsters and guinea pigs. More active people will love having a dog, or - if you happen to own a field or two - a horse!

Do you have children?

Some pets are more child-friendly than others. If you have a young family you should consider what pets are best to have around your child. Of course, every child is different - big dogs, snakes or reptiles might scare some kids and not others - so be sure to check that your child is happy with the pet you are interested in.

Friendly dogs and cats that do not scratch are childhood pet staples. Guinea pigs and rabbits are also particularly good pets for kids because they're small, fluffy and don't need lots of specialised care. What's more, these animals can give a child their first experience of being responsible for looking after an animal.

Whatever we choose, we're sure you'll love your pet. And, if you know someone who's nuts about animals, why not give them a treat from Dotcomgiftshop's range of gifts for pet-lovers?