Best First Pets for Newlywed Couples

After marriage and obtaining a place to live, couples often want to obtain a pet to share together. Each person may have a favorite in mind, maybe one they remember fondly from childhood. For this important decision of sharing your lives with a pet, you should think through many facets of pet companionship.

If you are both committed to having a pet to share you should consider the best pets for couples. If this is the first pet for both of you, you should further consider the best first pets for couples.

Will both of you be away from home all day? What is your budget for pet care? How much time can you put into grooming, feeding, training and overall attention of this pet? Do you live in a place that will allow a large pet?

Let’s break down these situations to help you make the right decision.

Living Conditions

You must first consider if you would be able to have a pet where you live. If you are renting, clear it with your property owner. You should also discuss which type or size of pet you will be allowed to have.

Next think about the size of your home, size of yard, whether the yard is securely fenced, how far you must go to take a dog outside for relief, and how much time you will have to care for your pet. Secondly, can you afford a pet. They do not cost as much as a child, but some can still be very costly to purchase and care for.          

Here are some likely scenarios and pet suggestions:

Renting an apartment

A small (well trained) dog or cat or small mammals tend to be the best pets for apartment living couples. You may not want to have large birds as they tend to be noisy and will irritate your neighbors.

Renting a house

Any size dog or cat, small mammal or bird.

Condominium

Same as an apartment, as having to travel long distances to take your dog for relief may be hard on the dog while young or old.

Homeowner

Any pet, provided your home has the environment necessary to keep the pet safe. When you consider the best pets for busy couples, though, you may want to think about cats, small mammals or songbirds. They do not require as much of your time.

Financial Considerations

Though you can count on bigger pets costing more in food, and sometimes health care, too, there are some smaller pets that can be even more financially taxing. Exotic birds, for example, are not only expensive to purchase, but they also have very long-life spans. Some live over 50 years. It will be a big commitment to share your home with one. Not just the noise and mess, but also health care and containment.

Large dogs may have far shorter life spans but do cost more to feed and care for.

As newlyweds, you may not want to stress your budget too much as you have many financial challenges ahead. Cats, medium to small dogs, small mammals or songbirds may be less stressful in the long run. They tend to be the best pets for couples.

To ensure you are choosing the best first pets for couples, do some research into the pets that are your first and second choices. Your first pet as a couple will need to be one you both really want and can devote time, energy and affection to.

Sharing the Responsibilities

When you are making the decision on the best first pet for couples both of you must honestly assess how much time you will devote to the care and attention for that pet. All pets require dedication to care as they cannot do so themselves.

If you are both busy, choose the best pets for busy couples, such as a small mammal, songbird or cat. While all pets require you to feed and clean up their containment or relief areas, these choices do not require you to take them for walks, spend a lot of money on supplies, or need your attention as much as a dog. Do keep in mind, however, that all animals thrive with positive interaction and training, even the small pets.

If one of you has more time for the pet than the other, you need to accept that the pet may bond with that person more strongly. Time together with the pet will aid in the animal bonding with both partners equally. Sharing a pet as newlyweds enhances the bond between you as you care for your pet.