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"Getting a pet is a very exciting time, but choosing a pet and making sure you are able to provide everything they need can feel overwhelming!" PDSA Vet Nurse Shauna Spooner told Bored Panda.

"And there are so many pets to choose from – dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, or smaller pets like hamsters, rats, mice, gerbils, and chinchillas."

"Firstly, how much do you know about the pet that you want? [The UK is a country] of animal lovers – our 2022 PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Report found that 52 percent of [local adults] own a pet."

However, Spooner highlighted that raising an animal can be a different experience from the one we like to imagine. "Research as much as you can about the species and breed of pet you want, and make sure you know all about The 5 Welfare Needs that every pet needs to be healthy and happy."

"Talk to people who already own that particular pet for their real-life experiences, and get advice from a vet," she added.

When deciding which pet is right for you and your lifestyle, Spooner said you should think of P.E.T.S. – place, exercise, time, and spend.

Let's start with place. "All pets need space to run and play, but dogs in particular need regular access to safe and secure outdoor areas," she explained. "Many cats also enjoy being able to exercise outside, and rabbits and guinea pigs need access to a large run or a garden to be happy and healthy."

Next, exercise. "Dogs enjoy regular walks, and playing off the lead whenever it is safe for them to do so. The amount of exercise a dog will need depends on their age, size, breed, and health," the vet nurse pointed out, adding that all pets enjoy fun games and to keep themselves active, but for smaller pets, you can easily do this in your house.

Moving on, we have time. "Pets are generally sociable and dogs especially love your company. It's really important that they aren’t left alone for longer than four hours, as dogs can become lonely, anxious, and distressed," Spooner said.

"Each type of pet will have different requirements; walks, training, playtime, feeding, cleaning their home and equipment, grooming, and visits to the vet might take more time than you think."

Lastly, spend. And it's not just the initial cost of getting a new pet that you need. There are also ongoing and unplanned expenses that will drain your wallet.

"Food, equipment, toys, flea and worm treatments, pet insurance, replacing a chewed-up bed, or unexpected vet bills, it all adds up significantly over the lifetime of your pet, especially as they get older or if they develop health problems," Spooner said.