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An apple is a healthy option for a pet mouse.

My family and I had the pleasure of eating out today, but I admit I overdid it. I. Am. So. Full.

For what I fear was a few months, our fish were full too. Even though we were specifically told not to overfeed them, it was difficult to stop at so few flakes—especially when some fish would dominate feeding time, and others didn’t seem to get nearly enough. It took less-than-clear water to finally clue me in that too much food and waste was upsetting our aquatic ecosystem.

Fish are healthier when they’re underfed, and they’re not alone. Just as obesity is a dangerous epidemic for people in the U.S., the Wall Street Journal reported in February 2011 that it’s a dangerous epidemic for pets, as well: more than half of American cats and dogs are obese.

What may seem like opportunities to “treat” our animal friends actually contribute to diabetes, arthritis, kidney failure, high blood pressure, cancer and a shorter life span: a scary reality for any pet owner.

I know I didn’t intend to cause my fish any harm. On the contrary, I was trying my best to meet their needs. And if I had to guess, I’d say other pet owners feel the same way. Treats like table scraps can be expressions of affection for a furry member of the family. Food dishes are mindlessly overfilled the same way we overfill our own plates. When we celebrate, we eat! Why should our pets be left out?

Not all of our personal habits are healthy ones. As a nation, we do tend to eat too much and move too little. We know we should change, but change can be hard. Ideally, I’d love to see all of us improve the quality of life for our households. If we can’t make it all-inclusive, don’t we owe it to our pets to do everything we can to provide them happy, healthy lives?

With all of this in mind, I ask you to look closely at your pet: Would your veterinarian say he or she is close to optimal weight? Do you provide your pet an appropriate, balanced diet? Does your pet have the opportunity to exercise enough? If you don’t know the answers to these questions, please check with your vet.

As much as we love our scaled, feathered and furry friends, overfeeding them is not what will make them happy in the long run. Instead, try showing your affection through attention, play and caring enough to keep illness at bay.

“The Last Kid on the Block” is a continuing series following the Knudsen family’s progress selecting and caring for their first pets. Andrea Knudsen lives in suburban Chicago with her husband and two children.

A thoughtful decision about adopting a pet helps ensure everyone in the family is happy.

I am nothing if not a planner. Sadly, this does not mean I have my act together—I’m just deliberate in making major life decisions. At least I like to be. And, for me, adopting a pet qualified as a major life decision.

Earlier this week I read a blog post by a mom who identifies herself as cat person, but bowed under pressure to get a dog. I know that pressure. After all, we are one of only two families on our block that doesn’t own a dog. But I’m disappointed by her suggestion that pressure led to her pet purchase rather than desire, or at least a plan.

Ideally, that blogger mom—and reluctant pet-owning moms everywhere—will grow to love her family’s new best friend. And kind of like not using birth control, a decision not to stop the adoption of a pet can become a decision to adopt a pet. If you let a pet through the door, maybe you’re not as anti-dog (or cat or snake) as you claim to be.

Still, her experience has left me wondering just how many parents acquire a pet and end up adding undue stress that they, in turn, take out on the pet through no fault of its own.

My neighbor adopted a dog this year to quell the wishes of her two young boys, taking their already hectic lifestyle to new levels. I’m not sure how happy anyone (dog included) in that household is right now—my neighbor certainly seems anything but happy. It may be that she saves her venting for me, much like complaining about kids: the good stuff outweighs the bad, but sometimes the bad stuff appreciates a sympathetic ear.

So far, blogger mom has given her family’s dog a lukewarm reception. I hope she’s more welcoming than she lets on, and open minded about allowing her pet into her heart.

If I could wave my magic wand, I’d ensure that pet owners were thoughtful and thorough in their decisions related to pet selection. I’d initiate pet scenarios that considered the needs of the entire family. And I’d keep pets safe and happy.

By the bye, our fish continue to be safe and happy, and so do we.

“The Last Kid on the Block” is a continuing series following the Knudsen family’s progress selecting and caring for their first pets. Andrea Knudsen lives in suburban Chicago with her husband and two children.

It's not really pet "ownership," but rather pet partnership.

My grandma keeps the remains of her departed beloved pet, Cassie, on her mantel. I admit I find it a little… unusual. But I’ve never been in her shoes, and I’m certain she’s not the only one. Pets are members of our families—sometimes preferred to their human counterparts—and mourned as such.

Animals offer such unique gifts, tireless companionship and unconditional love among them. And yet we sometimes try to limit them to human attributes. We name them, talk to them and have even been known to dress them.

Our pets are fish, so I haven’t had the pleasure of choosing their outfits. But we named them, and I know I, for one, talk to them. My family and I invent thoughts within their little fishy brains, and conversations about their fishy days. We take into consideration what we would want, were the tables turned.

There’s a balance between their dependence on us for food, shelter (and clothing?) and our respect that they were capable of doing just fine in their natural habitat. We don’t just love them, we appreciate them in a way only a pet owner can.

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We have had our aquarium for about two months, and our fish are doing (dare I say it?) swimmingly. Of course we fondly remember the three fish we initially lost during the cycling of our tank. Indy the platy, our lone survivor, is going to be a papa soon. His lady, Rose, is bursting at the gills—which means we’re going to have to learn about platy fry soon. We also plan to add to our four neon tetras, since they like company. You can’t tell me fish are boring!

“The Last Kid on the Block” is a continuing series following the Knudsen family’s progress selecting and caring for their first pets. Andrea Knudsen lives in suburban Chicago with her husband and two children.

A friend and I once discussed when you’re ready to have kids, and came to the conclusion that you’re never really ready.

The love of a new pet can be worth the changes and unexpected challenges.

I’ve decided becoming a pet owner is much the same: if you’re waiting to be ready, adopting a pet may never happen. You certainly can prepare yourself, but reading about a dog or a pig or a fish is not the same as bringing one into your home.

In our family’s experience, I thought we were prepared. I researched. I talked to pet store staff. I bought the gear. When our fish came home, we followed the directions. We took special care. But still, three of our four fish died.

Happily, most friends’ experiences have been less… extreme. Still, much like bringing home a (human) baby, bringing home a puppy (for whatever reason, among my friends it’s usually a puppy) inevitably leads to something unexpected. You know puppies like to chew, but you don’t anticipate your puppy chewing on your son’s new snow boots. You know they jump, but you don’t realize your puppy will jump high enough to reach the loaf of bread on the counter.

It’s a process, much of which is dependent on change, be it putting your boots in the closet or working weekly aquarium water changes into your schedule. It’s a trade-off—and one most people I know would say it’s worth the effort.

We’ve since turned a corner with a fully-cycled tank, and our six fish seem to be thriving. But just as being a parent brings new, unexpected challenges, I anticipate the same with our pets.

“The Last Kid on the Block” is a continuing series following the Knudsen family’s progress selecting and caring for their first pets. Andrea Knudsen lives in suburban Chicago with her husband and two children.

The decision to adopt a pet is often impacted by a pet's unconditional love.

I’ve been open—bordering on overly-dramatic—about our decision to add a pet to our family. The past two weeks have prompted several thoughtful conversations with friends, both recollections of first pets and reflections on current companions.

Fond remembrances have been marred by the occasional tale of woe: the fish that died three days later, the puppy that ate through drywall. But all were shared not as deterrents but lessons. We won’t start with a goldfish in a plastic bag, nor will we lock a puppy in the laundry room. Got it.

The unmistakable theme to almost every conversation was, “I can’t imagine life without a [insert beloved animal here].” Yes, there was talk about the hair, the live food, the, well, poop. But it was nothing compared to the companionship and love and kisses.

If you’re a pet owner, you know.

I, mind you, have been on the sidelines. And a lifetime of being on the sidelines has made me a little skittish. My reaction is to turn to research—it could be worse, right?

The deal between my son and me is to choose a small, not-terribly-labor-intensive first pet; so far, we’re focusing on a male betta fish. I’ve weeded through sources aplenty online, and learned what I can about this fish’s preferred habitat, favorite foods and what it likes to do on Friday nights (OK, I kid about the last one, although we do intend to keep our fish happy).

Just as importantly, I’ve learned what a betta doesn’t like: other bettas, excessive cold or heat, or life in a vase with a plant. I’ll admit what initially sounded like an easy undertaking is proving slightly more involved, what with finding the perfect-sized tank with filter, heater and lid (bettas, apparently, are jumpers). I’ve been pouring over online offerings of myriad gravels (substrates—who knew?) and artificial plants.

I’ve also read countless pet owner testimonials that finding wise, responsible pet store staff is the most important factor in choosing a healthy fish and keeping him healthy. So it’s a shopping we will go—no spur-of-the-moment purchases for us! We’ll be scoping out the cleanliness of tanks and not returning to stores that suggest the aforementioned vase-with-plant arrangement (or don’t suggest anything at all).

I have a feeling that initially returning home empty-handed will be difficult. I’m not the only one eager to relax watching our new friend swim about. Hopefully preparing a tank will keep us busy. Good things come to those who wait!

“The Last Kid on the Block” is a continuing series following the Knudsen family’s progress in selecting their first pet. Andrea Knudsen lives in suburban Chicago with her husband and two children.