The Best Pets for Families: Spotlight on the Top Pet Experts and Influencers for 2025

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Pets bring love and joy to families, but choosing the right one takes careful thought. Learn about family-friendly pets, cost-saving tips, and expert advice from pet influencers.

The Joy and Responsibility of Pet Ownership

A pet can bring endless joy, love, and companionship to a family. Whether it’s a playful dog, a cuddly cat, or a gentle rabbit, pets quickly become beloved members of the household, offering emotional support and creating cherished memories. They teach children responsibility, provide comfort, and even encourage a more active lifestyle.

However, choosing the right pet is a big decision that comes with long-term responsibilities. Each type of pet has unique needs, from food and exercise to training and veterinary care. Understanding what works best for your family’s lifestyle is crucial to ensuring a happy and healthy relationship with your new furry (or scaly) friend.

This article will help guide you through selecting the best pet for your family, discussing non-allergenic and low-maintenance options, highlighting the emotional benefits of pets for children, breaking down the costs of pet ownership, and emphasizing the importance of adoption. Throughout, we’ll reference pet influencers who provide expert advice on these topics. Note that some of these individuals also sell products and/or services on their websites.

Choosing the Right Pet for Your Family

The ideal pet for a family depends on temperament, energy level, and compatibility with kids. While dogs and cats are popular choices, other options like rabbits, guinea pigs, and even reptiles can also be great companions.

Some key factors to consider:

  • Temperament: Look for pets known for their gentle nature and patience.
  • Size & Space: Large breeds may need more space and exercise.
  • Time Commitment: Pets like dogs require training and attention, while cats or fish may be lower maintenance.

Influencers to Follow:

  • Doug the Pug (Website, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, X/Twitter) – A beloved pet influencer sharing heartwarming and humorous pet moments perfect for families. Therapy and emotional support dog promoting pet benefits for kids.
  • Juniper Foxx (Website, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, X/Twitter) – While featuring rescued foxes and exotic pets in their wildlife refuge, Juniper and her organization actively discourage keeping wild animals as pets and educates followers on ethical animal care.

Non-Allergenic and Low-Maintenance Pets

For families with allergies, hypoallergenic pets such as Poodles, Bichon Frises, and certain cat breeds like Siberians can be ideal. If you’re looking for a pet with minimal upkeep, consider fish, reptiles, or small rodents.

Tips for Families Managing Allergies:

  • Regular grooming and air purifiers can help reduce pet dander.
  • Some non-traditional pets, like hedgehogs or reptiles, don’t trigger allergies.

While reptiles can be low-maintenance and hypoallergenic, they come with specific risks. Many reptiles, including turtles, lizards, and snakes, can carry Salmonella, which poses a health risk, especially for young children and those with weakened immune systems. Additionally, reptiles require specialized temperature, humidity, and diet control, making them more challenging to care for than many expect. Some reptiles may also display defensive behaviors, including biting, if improperly handled.

Influencers to Follow:

  • Nala Cat (Website, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook) – A hypoallergenic feline influencer offering adorable content and pet care tips.
  • Elle’s Reptiles (Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, TikTok) – Everything reptilian including how to build low cost habitats for a variety of reptiles, buying reptile supplies, and caring for reptiles.

The Emotional and Developmental Benefits of Pets for Children

Pets provide more than companionship—they can help children develop responsibility, reduce stress, and even aid with social skills. Studies show that children with pets often have higher emotional intelligence and improved mental well-being.

Ways Pets Help Kids:

  • Reduce anxiety and stress.
  • Teach responsibility through feeding and care routines.
  • Improve social skills by providing a non-judgmental friend.

Influencers to Follow:

The Cost of Owning a Pet: What Families Should Know

Owning a pet is a financial commitment. Understanding the costs upfront can prevent surprises down the road.

Average Yearly Costs for Pets:

  • Dogs: $1,000–$3,000 (food, vet visits, grooming, supplies).
  • Cats: $800–$2,000 (litter, food, medical care, toys).
  • Small pets (rabbits, guinea pigs, reptiles): $300–$800.

Ways to Save Money:

  • Adopt from shelters instead of buying from breeders.
  • Invest in preventive veterinary care to avoid high medical costs.
  • Follow pet influencers for cost-saving tips and DIY pet care hacks.

Influencers to Follow:

  • Dr. Andy Roark (Website, Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter, YouTube) – A practicing veterinarian who supports veterinary team training as well as covering medical related topics in the veterinary industry including his Cone of Shame podcast. He offers insights on affordable pet care, preventive measures, and budgeting tips. Dr. Roark also share personal reflections on life and world events.
  • Victoria Stilwell Positively (Website, Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter, TikTok, YouTube) – A professional dog trainer with insights on raising pets effectively so you and your dog can live your best life. On her website she offers a complementary 45-minute course on the Positively Pillars of dog training.

The Importance of Pet Adoption

Adopting a pet can be one of the most rewarding decisions a family makes. Rescue pets not only need loving homes, but they often form deep, lifelong bonds with their owners. Shelters and rescues have a variety of pets, from dogs and cats to rabbits and reptiles.

Why Consider Pet Adoption?

  • Saves a life and reduces overpopulation.
  • Costs less than purchasing from a breeder.
  • Many shelter pets are already trained and socialized.

Influencers to Follow:

Conclusion: Bringing the Right Pet into Your Family’s Life

Pets can bring joy, companionship, and educational value to children, but choosing the right one requires thoughtful consideration. Whether you’re looking for a hypoallergenic dog, a low-maintenance pet, or a family-friendly companion, social media influencers can be a great resource.

By following experts in pet care, adoption, training, and budgeting, families can make informed decisions and create a happy home for both their pets and their children.

Are you a pet-loving parent? Share your experiences in the mamapedia forum!

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Notable Replies

  1. I have four pets for better for worse all Covid pets.

    • 2 cats
    • 1 giant Pomeranian (mini-husky)
    • 1 labradoodle

    ….thats exactly 4 pets too many :wink:

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