Family Pets: Choosing the Right Pet and Caring for It at Home
Pets are wonderful. They're also hair, muddy paws, food bowls, vet bills, scratched furniture, mysterious smells and a level of household negotiation usually reserved for international treaties.
This isn't an argument against pets. It's an argument for knowing what you're signing up for. The right family pet isn't the one that charmed everyone at the shelter on a Saturday afternoon. It's the one whose needs, temperament, cost and daily care actually fit your household.
So let's look at the whole job, not just the adorable part.
Jump to:
- Choose the Right Family Pet
- Easiest Pets for Kids
- Dogs as Family Pets
- Exotic Pets
- Pet Chores for Kids by Age
- Teaching Kids to Behave Around Pets
- Foods and Plants Toxic to Pets
- Feeding Station and Supplies
- Keeping a Clean Home With Pets
- Pet Accidents and Odors
- Litter Box Basics
- Fleas
- Pet-Related Illness
- Pet Allergies
- Car Travel With Pets
- Family Pets FAQ
Choose the Pet That Fits Your Family
Start with your household, not the animal. Think about:
- Your children's ages
- How much time the adults really have
- Your living space
- Whether you have a yard
- Work and school schedules
- How often you travel
- Allergies
- Other pets
- How much noise you can tolerate
- How much mess you can tolerate
- Your budget
- How much exercise and attention the animal needs
Pets aren't interchangeable. A hamster, a cat and a Labrador come with three very different workloads. Pick the one that fits the life you actually live, not the life you'll have once everyone "promises to help."
Don't Choose a Pet Based on Cuteness Alone
This is hard, because animals have developed a very effective marketing department. Before you fall in love, look up:
- Adult size
- Typical lifespan
- Exercise needs
- Grooming
- Training
- Vet care
- Feeding
- Housing
- Social needs
- Common behavior problems
A puppy is adorable. A puppy also needs training, supervision, exercise and frequent bathroom trips. That fluffy 10-pound puppy may become a 75-pound dog who lives 12 years.
What Are the Easiest Pets for Kids?
No pet is truly easy. The real question is whether your family can meet that animal's needs every day.
- Fish are low-contact but need a properly set-up, cycled tank and regular water changes. A bowl on the counter isn't enough.
- Guinea pigs are gentle, social and good for school-age kids, but they need a roomy cage, fresh hay and vegetables daily, and ideally a buddy.
- Cats are more independent, but they still need feeding, litter care, play and vet visits, and they often live 15 years or more.
- Dogs need the most time: exercise, training and attention every single day.
Before you promise the kids anything, make sure the adults understand the commitment, because the adults are the ones who'll keep it.
The Best Pet for Kids by Age →
Dogs as Family Pets
Dogs make great family companions, and they're a lot of work. Every day means:
- Feeding
- Exercise
- Bathroom breaks
- Training
- Grooming
- Play
- Cleaning up
- Vet care
Breed, size, energy level and temperament all matter, and every dog is an individual. Don't expect the kids to handle all the walks. They can help, but the adults are still in charge of the dog.
Think Carefully About Exotic Pets
Unusual doesn't mean easier. Reptiles, birds and other exotic pets often need special:
- Housing
- Heating
- Lighting
- Diet
- Cleaning
- Vet care
- Handling
Some live for decades. Some parrots outlive their owners. Before you bring one home, make sure there's a vet nearby who treats that species.
One important note: the CDC recommends that families with children under 5 skip reptiles, amphibians and backyard poultry entirely, because they commonly carry salmonella.
Research shouldn't stop at the pet store.
Exotic Pets for Kids: Yes or No? →
Pet Care Is a Family Responsibility
Kids can, and should, help take care of the family pet. But kids forget, get tired, get busy and lose interest, and the animal still needs to eat. Pet chores teach responsibility. They don't hand over ownership.
Pet Chores for Kids by Age
Younger children can help with simple jobs while you supervise:
- Filling the water bowl
- Carrying pet supplies
- Gently brushing a calm pet
- Putting pet toys away
- Helping measure food
Older kids can take on more:
- Feeding
- Walking (when they can handle the dog safely)
- Cleaning cages and pet areas
- Brushing
- Scooping the litter box
- Washing food and water bowls
- Keeping pet supplies organized
Match the job to the child and the animal. An adult should always handle medications, a big or strong dog on a leash, and any cleanup involving pet waste for young kids.
What Happens When Kids Don't Do Their Pet Chores?
Kids can face consequences for skipping their pet chores. Pets shouldn't. An animal should never go without food, water, exercise, medication or needed care because someone forgot.
Take care of the pet first. Then deal with the child's responsibility separately.
Pet Care Consequences for Kids →
Teach Children How to Behave Around Pets
Animals have boundaries, and kids need to learn them. Teach children never to:
- Pull tails or ears
- Climb on or ride an animal
- Bother a pet while it's eating
- Corner a frightened animal
- Wake a sleeping pet
- Take away a toy or food
- Ignore warning signs like growling, hissing, flattened ears or a stiff body
Never leave babies or young children alone with a dog, even a gentle one. Any animal can react when it's scared or hurt.
Foods, Plants and Products That Are Toxic to Pets
Some everyday household items are seriously dangerous to pets. Keep these out of reach:
- Chocolate, especially dark chocolate and baking chocolate
- Xylitol, a sweetener in sugar-free gum, candy, some peanut butters and baked goods. It's extremely toxic to dogs, even in small amounts.
- Grapes and raisins, which can cause kidney failure in dogs
- Onions, garlic and chives
- Macadamia nuts
- Alcohol and caffeine
- Lilies, deadly to cats. Even the pollen or the water in the vase can cause kidney failure.
- Human medications, especially ibuprofen, naproxen and acetaminophen
- Antifreeze, rodent poison and slug bait
- Essential oils, especially for cats. Tea tree, eucalyptus, peppermint, citrus and pine oils can be toxic, whether they're applied directly or used in a diffuser.
If you think your pet ate something toxic, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435 (a consultation fee may apply). Don't wait for symptoms.
Create a Pet Feeding Station
Pet food and bowls have a way of spreading out. Give them one defined spot with:
- A food bowl
- A water bowl
- Food storage
- A measuring scoop
- Treats
- Feeding instructions, if more than one person feeds the pet
Put a washable mat underneath. It may not win a decorating award, but it may save your sanity. Keep dry food in a sealed container, and make it convenient enough that feeding the dog doesn't involve opening four cabinets and moving a vacuum cleaner.
Wash food and water bowls every day. They deserve at least the same consideration as the cereal bowls.
Organize Pet Supplies
Pets come with a surprising amount of gear. Give each category a home:
- Leashes
- Brushes
- Medications
- Toys
- Waste bags
- Grooming supplies
- Carriers
- Vet records and vaccination paperwork
Keep the leash and waste bags by the door. Store medications up high, away from kids and other pets. And don't let the squeaky toys colonize every room.
Keeping a Home Clean With Pets
You can have pets and a reasonably clean house at the same time. Just focus on the messes pets actually make:
- Hair
- Dirt
- Food
- Water
- Litter
- Bedding
- Paw prints
- Accidents
Small, frequent cleanups beat harsh products. Vacuum before the hair turns into tumbleweeds, keep a towel by the door for muddy paws, wash the bedding and clean up accidents right away.
Control Pet Hair
Pet hair gets everywhere:
- Upholstery
- Rugs
- Carpets
- Bedding
- Baseboards
- Pet beds
Brush your pet regularly, outside if you can. Every hair in the brush is one less hair on the couch. Vacuum high-traffic areas a couple of times a week.
For the stuff the vacuum misses, try a damp rubber glove or a squeegee on upholstery. Put washable throws on your pet's favorite furniture spots.
Clean Pet Bedding
Pet beds collect:
- Hair
- Skin oils
- Dirt
- Saliva
- Outdoor debris
Shake out or vacuum the bed first, then wash it according to the label every week or two. Dry it completely. Check it now and then for:
- Tears
- Excessive wear
- Broken zippers
- Exposed stuffing
A pet bed doesn't need to last forever just because the dog is emotionally attached to flattening it.
Clean Up Pet Accidents Promptly
Clean Up Pet Accidents Promptly
The faster you get to it, the easier it is:
- Pick up solids and blot up as much liquid as you can with paper towels. Press, don't rub.
- Use an enzyme cleaner made for pet urine. It breaks down the proteins that cause odor, so your pet isn't drawn back to the same spot.
- Follow the label, and let it sit as long as the directions say.
- Don't soak the carpet. Too much liquid seeps into the pad underneath.
Avoid ammonia-based cleaners. Ammonia smells like urine to a pet and can invite repeat visits. Never mix ammonia with bleach. And don't steam-clean urine. The heat can set the odor permanently.
How to Remove Carpet Pet Stains →
Get Pet Odors Under Control
Air freshener doesn't remove pet odor. It just adds perfume to it. Find the source:
- Dirty bedding
- Litter boxes
- Old carpet accidents
- Upholstery
- Feeding areas
- Wet dogs
- Cages or enclosures that need cleaning
If a smell keeps coming back to the same spot, it's probably soaked into the carpet pad or subfloor.
Litter Box Basics
- Have one box per cat, plus one extra.
- Scoop at least once a day.
- Change all the litter and wash the box every week or two.
- Put boxes somewhere quiet that's easy for the cat to reach, away from food and water.
- Use a litter mat to catch scatter.
If your cat stops using the box, call the vet. Litter box problems are often a sign of a urinary infection, stress or another medical issue, not bad behavior.
If you're pregnant: have someone else change the litter if you can. Cat waste can carry toxoplasmosis. If you have to do it, wear gloves, wash your hands well afterward and scoop daily.
Fleas and Other Parasites
Treat the pet and the house. Vacuum carpets, furniture and pet beds often, and empty the vacuum outside right away. Wash all pet bedding in hot water.
Ask your vet to recommend a flea and tick preventive for your pet's species and weight. And never use dog flea products on cats. Many contain permethrin, which is highly toxic to cats, even in small amounts. Keep cats away from a freshly treated dog, too.
Keep Kids Safe From Pet-Related Illness
Some animals can pass illnesses to people. A few simple habits help:
- Wash hands after handling animals.
- Wash hands after cleaning cages, tanks or litter boxes.
- Never touch pet waste with bare hands.
- Keep pet supplies, and pets, off kitchen counters and food prep areas.
- Don't let pets lick open cuts.
- Never wash a fish tank or reptile habitat in the kitchen sink.
Young children, pregnant women, older adults and anyone with a weakened immune system should take extra care. Ask your doctor or vet if you're not sure.
What If Someone Is Allergic to the Pet?
Cutting down exposure can help:
- Keep the pet out of the allergic person's bedroom.
- Vacuum floors and upholstery often, with a HEPA vacuum.
- Wash pet bedding every week.
- Run a HEPA air purifier in the main living areas.
- Choose fewer fabric surfaces that trap dander, like heavy drapes and piles of throw pillows.
Cleaning helps, but it isn't a cure. Talk to an allergist about what's realistic for your family, ideally before you bring a pet home.
Living With Pets You're Allergic To →
Traveling by Car With Pets
Pack for your pet the same way you'd pack for yourself:
- A secure crate, carrier or pet seat belt
- Water and a bowl
- Food, for long trips
- Waste bags
- Medications
- ID tags and a current photo
- A familiar blanket or toy
- Cleaning supplies, just in case
Keep pets out of the driver's lap and out of the front seat. And never leave a pet in a parked car. On a 70°F day, the inside of a car can climb to almost 90°F in 10 minutes, even with the windows cracked.
Family Car Cleaning & Organization →
Common Family Pet Mistakes
Choosing the pet before researching it
Fall in love second. Research first.
Assuming kids will do everything
They promised. They meant it. They're also eight.
Giving children vague jobs
"Help with the dog" isn't a job. "Fill the water bowl every morning" is.
Waiting too long to clean up pet messes
Accidents only get harder to clean, and smellier, over time.
Ignoring behavior changes
A pet that suddenly hides, stops eating or has accidents may be sick or stressed. Call the vet.
Punishing the pet for human mistakes
If somebody left the trash where the dog could reach it, the dog didn't fail the organizational system.
Family Pets FAQ
What is the best pet for a young child? There's no perfect pet, but guinea pigs, fish (in a properly set-up tank) and calm adult cats or dogs are good fits for many families. The CDC advises against reptiles, amphibians and backyard poultry for households with kids under 5.
What foods are toxic to dogs? Chocolate, xylitol (in sugar-free gum and some peanut butters), grapes and raisins, onions, garlic, macadamia nuts, alcohol and caffeine. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435 if your dog eats any of them.
How do I get pet urine smell out of carpet? Blot up as much as you can, then use an enzyme cleaner made for pet urine and let it sit as directed. Avoid ammonia and steam cleaning, since both can make the smell worse.
How often should I wash pet bowls and bedding? Wash food and water bowls daily, and wash pet bedding every week or two.
Can you have a pet if someone in the family has allergies? Sometimes. Keeping pets out of bedrooms, using HEPA filters and cleaning often can help. Talk to an allergist before you commit.
Want Less Pet Hair on Everything?
My book The Daily Home Reset builds pet cleanup into a 15-minute daily routine, so the hair, paw prints and food bowls never get ahead of you.
And if your house is so full of stuff that you can't find the leash, Room by Room: How to Declutter a Lifetime of Stuff and Get Your Space Back can help, one room at a time.
Keep Going
Pets are part of the family, so keep your whole home running smoothly with these related guides:
- Simplify Family Life at Home: Chores, routines and kid-friendly systems that make every day easier.
- Easy House Cleaning Tips: Faster, smarter ways to clean every room, pet hair included.
- Green Cleaning Guide: Safer cleaning with fewer products, for homes with kids and pets.
- Laundry & Stain Removal Guide: Get muddy paw prints and mystery stains out on the first try.
- How to Organize Your Home Room by Room: Simple systems for every room, from the entryway to the closets.
- Backyard Family Living: Make your outdoor space work for kids, pets and grown-ups.
- Family Car Cleaning & Organization: Keep the car clean even when the dog rides along.
- Safe at Home: Practical safety tips for every room and every age.
- Clean Home
- Pets
