About eight years ago my dad suddenly came home saying that his coworker was adopting a dog and he wanted to buy one, too. My mom and I never had a dog before and we were not sure if my dad was joking. Then he showed us the pictures of the Pekingese pups and we were melted by how cute they were and got on board to get a puppy. The breeder brought the puppies to us the next week and we bought one without doing much research. We named the dog Happy, and he still lives with my parents. We all love our dog very much, but if I ever get another pet again I will not get a high maintenance dog like Happy just because it is ridiculously cute. It is important to find out about the pet you want before you bring it home, and these are the lessons I have learned that could help you save money and sanity.

Initial Purchase or Adoption Costs - Some popular pets can be quite expensive to purchase, and it may be more economical to get your pet from a rescue or Humane Society. Research all of your options before you pay for your new pet either online or in the local classifieds.

Source of the Animal - Since some popular breeds of dogs are quite expensive, there are unethical breeders and "puppy farms" that produce large amounts of animals under substandard breeding conditions. It is hard to tell that an animal came from such an operation, but if you are purchasing a pet you should be careful where you buy it from. Otherwise you may be getting an animal with health and temperament problems that may cost you more in the long run. If you are buying from a breeder you should try to visit their facilities and get references. Generally reputable breeders do not sell their animals to large scale pet stores.

Shelter - Do you have space in your home or yard for your new pet? Are you planning to keep fish or amphibian that needs an enclosed and controlled habitat? You should decide where your new family member will live before you bring it home. Also you should consider that if you are a renter it is harder to find landlords who would accomodate dogs and cats. Make sure that you have room to share in your living space before you fall in love with that dog in the window.

Food - Obviously, larger animals eat more food so before you bring home a cute baby pot bellied pig you should find out the approximate adult size of the creature you plan to adopt and how much it needs to eat. Some pets also have special dietary requirements and food allergies that you need to learn. The basic rule is that if you want to save money you should get a small pet.

Health - Certain pets have congenital health problems. For example, my dog and the daschunds both have very long bodies and short legs. Since they are built in such a manner that there is no support in the middle section of the body and they are more prone to back problems. Generally I have read that mutts are more healthy than purebreds because they are less inbred. Most animals are susceptible to certain diseases, and you need to find out how to protect your pet. You also need to find out which vaccines your pet needs even if you do not have a dog or cat. For example, my friend had a pet rat that required rabies shots every year.

Hygiene - Find out if the pet you are getting is already potty trained, and if not, find out how often you must clean its habitat. Our dog was already trained by the breeder to do his business on a stack of newspapers. However, since he had several layers of long silky fur he would shed everywhere and that drove my obsessive-compulsively clean mom insane. If you are not into cleaning very much you need to consider getting a pet that does not make a huge mess.

Allergens - Different animals produce different allergens. For example, more people are allergic to cats because of a protein in their saliva. Some dogs have less dander than others and are better suited for people with allergies. If you cannot stay in the same room as your desired pet then it is better not to get one.

Temperament - Some pets are more children friendly, and some can be dangerous. A little research into the general temperaments of your animal could save you from pet related injuries. Of course, every dog and cat I have met had its own personality, but some animals are bred to be more aggressive and you need to be careful when you choose to adopt one.

Longevity - Generally small dogs live longer than larger dogs, and some birds could live as long as a human. A pet with a long life means a longer term of responsibility for the pet owner. Unless you are planning to give away your pet you should know its approximate lifespan and plan to love it for a lifetime.

My mom always says that having a dog like Happy is like having a baby, and she cannot give him up even though he produces so much extra work for her. We did not do our homework on owning a frail little Pekingese and we have made some mistakes with him that ended up in expensive vet visits, but he is really part of the family. Before you enlarge your family with a furry or scaly creature, do your research and carefully consider your responsibilities in being a care provider to another life. Hopefully this article will make you stop and think before you buy an animal just because you were smitten by its cuteness.

Read more about pets on Wise Bread:

Make Homemade Dog Food with your Slow-Cooker
My dog's face lift - Andrea has a Pekingese, too.
Do You Need Health Insurance for Your Pets?
5 Low-Cost, Low-Maintenance Alternatives to the Family Dog
Ten of my favorite pet hacks.