Owning a pet can be a wonderful experience - animals can provide constant companionship, loyalty, affection and love. They quickly become part of the family, and can make you feel less isolated. They have even been shown to relieve stress and lower blood pressure! Many pet owners say their pets give them a reason to get up in the mornings, or out to the shops, because their pet depends on them for food, exercise and attention.

However, pets are a big commitment - you need to be sure that they are always looked after and cared for, and this involves a lot of responsibility and expense.

If you have never owned a pet before, you need to think carefully about whether your lifestyle is suited to being a pet owner and if so, what kind of pet would be best for you.

What to think about before you get a pet

Although you may have always wanted a dog or cat, once you have sat down and thought about it, you might realise that it's not the best choice for you. Try not to be disappointed - the most important thing is to be sure that you can give a good life to whatever pet you choose. This, in return, should give you a great deal of satisfaction. Here are some things that you should ask yourself before you decide which pet would suit you best:

Where do you live? How big is your home? Do you have a secure garden?

Do you live near a busy road? Are there places nearby to walk a dog?

Do you live in a rented home? Will your landlord let you keep a pet?

Are you very houseproud? Would you hate having cat or dog hair on your furniture, or cats climbing up your curtains? What about muddy paw prints on your kitchen floor?

Do you go away a lot? Would there be anyone to look after your pet while you were away? Would you be able to take your pet with you or is there a local kennel/cattery?

Will you be able to exercise your pet? Dogs need to be walked every day, and other animals like to play games.

What kind of pet suits you?

All animals are different, and one breed of dog or cat can vary immensely from another, so we can only generalise about the kind of care and attention that an animal will need.

Dogs

Dogs can make wonderful companions - they're warm, intensely loyal, good company, affectionate and loving. However, they also need a lot of time and energy. They can be expensive in terms of food and vet bills - and can be difficult if they have been badly trained. You should not get a dog unless you have thought about it seriously, and are very sure that you can look after it well.

Here are some things to consider before you get a dog:

What kind of home do you live in - do you have easy access to a garden?

Dogs need exercise - will you be able to take your dog out for at least one good walk a day?

Dogs need companionship - will it be left alone for long periods of the day?

Different breeds of dog need different kinds of care. For example, some dogs will need a lot of grooming. They also vary in temperament - St Bernards are often placid, whilst Alsatians can be excitable. You can find out more about different breeds from magazines like "Dogs Today", or ask the National Canine Defence League or a vet for advice. Mongrels can be very friendly but, if you're getting a puppy, it can be difficult to work out what size or temperament it will be when it gets older.

Cats

Cats make good pets and can be affectionate and loving. They're also more independent and less demanding than dogs. They do need regular attention, but are happy to amuse themselves for much of the time. However, there are still some things that you need to think about:

Cats are almost as expensive to look after as dogs. They need to be fed regularly, have regular vaccinations and health checks at the vet, and be wormed and treated for fleas.

You should think about having your cat neutered - the RSPCA recommend that this is done at an early age. Ask your vet for advice.

Where do you live? Are you very close to a busy road? Do you have a garden, or easy access to one? Cats are independent animals and enjoy being able to come and go.

Caged birds, fish and small animals

All of these are much easier to look after than cats and dogs, but are very dependent on you to look after them, feed them, provide the right environment,

and keep them clean.

Most small animals and birds need well-balanced diets, including fresh fruit or vegetables. It's always a good idea to speak to a vet about diet and general care, or buy a book on how to look after your pet. They will also need exercise and to be let out of their cages regularly.

As for fish, goldfish are very easy to look after, although you do need to clean

out their tank regularly. Tropical fish are a little more complicated, and need

quite a bit of money spent on them initially - you need to make sure you have a

well-equipped aquarium, with filters and pumps. You might find it helpful to

speak to a vet, or buy a good book on keeping tropical fish.