Pet Wise

Fish are a great pet if you're worried you might not have lots of time, space or money to own a larger pet, but remember, owning a fish is still a big commitment - the average fish will live for around 10 years… but can live up to 40 years! Although the initial start up costs can be up to $1,000 to ensure your fish have everything they need, ongoing maintenance costs are generally quite low. Over its average lifetime, one goldfish could cost around $2,000. Different fish have different requirements, so contact a vet or an aquatic specialist to find out everything you'll need to know about keeping your chosen breed of fish before you buy anything. All fish need a tank of water big enough for them to swim around easily and avoid other fish in the tank, and should be in a quiet place; have you got space for this in your home? Although you'll need to do cleaning and maintenance of the tank at least every week, fish don't need you to exercise them, or keep them company, so if you're quite busy and not always around then fish could be a good choice for you.

Different birds have different requirements, but all will need an indoor aviary big enough for them to fly across, so you will need a large area to dedicate to your birds. Some species can live up to 60 years so it's important you get as much advice as you can by speaking to your vet or an avian specialist and find out everything you'll need to know about your chosen species. The initial costs are generally around $500 and monthly maintenance costs can be around $60, although this doesn't include vets bills so if your bird is sick or injured it could be a lot more, so many people take out pet insurance to cover some of this. You should check if your chosen species of bird likes the companionship of another bird. Budgies for example, are very social and enjoy being kept with another budgie of the same sex but having two birds will increase the monthly costs, so your bird's need for company will need to be calculated for. Birds are generally quite friendly and enjoy some gentle interaction with trusted people, such as playing games with toys. Birds can become easily bored and frustrated if they don't have enough contact with humans, so you need to think if you have time every day to dedicate to your bird. Birds need to exercise by flying in their aviary or around your home in a secure area, so even if you're not that active a bird may suit your lifestyle.