Choosing the right pet for your home in Bangladesh

Before you choose: five questions

Where do you live?

Most pet parents in Dhaka and Chattogram live in flats. A cat can live happily in a flat if she has places to climb, hide and play. A dog needs a walk outside at least twice a day, whatever the weather, and more space to move. If you rent, ask your landlord or the building committee before you bring a pet home, so you do not have to give the animal up later.

How hot does your home get?

Summers are long and hot, and power cuts can stop the fan or the air conditioner. Every pet needs shade, fresh water at all times and a cool place to rest. Flat-faced breeds, such as Persian cats, pugs and bulldogs, struggle more in the heat: in a large UK study, flat-faced dogs were about twice as likely to suffer heatstroke as other dogs (Hall and colleagues, 2020). If your home gets very hot, choose an animal with a normal-length nose, such as a local cat or dog.

How much time do you have?

Dogs need the most time: walks, play, training and company every day. They should not be left alone all day. If you travel often, think about who will care for your pet while you are away.

Who lives with you?

• Children. Teach children to be gentle and to leave a pet alone when it is eating or sleeping. A young child should never be left alone with a dog.
• Allergies. Some people are allergic to cats, dogs, rabbits or birds. If someone in your family has asthma or allergies, spend time with the kind of animal you want before you decide.
• Pregnancy or a weak immune system. Some infections can pass from pets to people. If you have a cat, change the litter every day and wash your hands afterwards (CDC). If you are pregnant or have a weak immune system, talk to your doctor before you get a pet, and let someone else clean the litter if you can.

What can you afford?

A pet costs money every month, not only on the day you bring it home. Plan for:

• Food, every month.
• Rabies and other vaccines.
• Deworming and flea or tick treatment.
• Spaying or neutering.
• An emergency visit to a vet. Keep some money aside: illness and accidents do not wait for payday.

Prices differ from clinic to clinic, so ask your vet for current prices before you decide.

Which pet suits you?

Cats

Cats are among the most popular pets in Bangladesh. A cat can live happily in a flat if she has a litter tray, scratching places, toys, and places to climb and hide. A local cat is as loving as an expensive breed.

• Persian and other flat-faced cats need extra care. They are popular in Dhaka, but many have narrow nostrils and airways and struggle to breathe (International Cat Care). Their long coat needs combing every day, and the fur under the tail needs regular cleaning. A cat that struggles to breathe also struggles to cool down, so keep her cool on hot days and during power cuts.
• Indoors is safer. Many cats here go outside. Cats that roam widely face more road accidents and fight injuries such as abscesses, and fighting spreads disease (International Cat Care). Keeping your cat indoors also lowers her contact with infected cats (Cornell). Put nets on windows and balconies so she cannot fall or slip out.
• Vaccines beyond rabies. Feline panleukopenia (feline parvovirus) is a highly contagious, deadly virus, and kittens under 5 months can die suddenly (Cornell). Among cats brought to two pet hospitals in Dhaka, about 1 in 5 had it, and unvaccinated cats were more at risk (Chisty and colleagues, 2020). The vaccine is recommended for every cat: kittens get a series every 3 to 4 weeks from 6 to 8 weeks of age until about 16 to 20 weeks (Cornell).
• Spay or neuter. A female cat can get pregnant from about 4 months old and have up to three litters a year, so vets now advise neutering at around 4 months (International Cat Care). Kittens from unplanned litters often end up unwanted or abandoned on the street.

Dogs

Dogs are loyal, loving companions. They need daily walks, play, training and company. Different breeds need very different amounts of exercise and grooming, so ask a vet about a breed before you buy or adopt.

Rabbits

Rabbits are gentle and quiet, but they are not toys for children. They need space to hop every day, not only a small cage, plus fresh hay, greens and clean water. They are easily frightened and hurt if picked up the wrong way. Keep them cool and out of direct sun.

Birds

Never buy a bird that was caught from the wild. Under the Wildlife (Conservation and Security) Act, 2026, catching, keeping, buying or selling Bangladesh's native wild birds and animals is against the law. The new wildlife law also bans selling wildlife through markets or social media (The Financial Express, 2026). Native wild birds are still sold illegally at markets: in July 2025, the Forest Department rescued dozens from sellers in Mirpur, Dhaka (The Business Standard, 2025). Buying them keeps the trade going and takes birds from the wild.

Domestic pigeons (kobutor) are a traditional pet bird in Bangladesh. They are domesticated, not wild, so keeping them is legal. Keep them in a clean, dry, well-ventilated loft, do not overcrowd it, and give fresh water every day. Keep new birds apart until a vet has checked them, and ask your vet about vaccinating them against pigeon paramyxovirus (Harlin and Wade, 2009).

For any other pet bird, buy only a captive-bred bird from a seller licensed by the Forest Department, and ask to see the licence. Birds are not lap pets. They need a large cage, daily time out of it, a varied diet and company.

Fish

A tank of fish is calming to watch and needs less of your time each day. But it needs a filter and an air pump that run on electricity. During a power cut, the water can run out of oxygen. A battery-powered air pump helps. Do not overcrowd the tank, and change part of the water regularly.

Reptiles and other wild animals

Do not keep turtles, tortoises, lizards, snakes or other animals taken from the wild. Bangladesh's native wild animals are protected by the same law as its birds.

Rabies: protect your pet and your family

Rabies kills almost everyone who gets sick with it, and dogs cause up to 99 percent of human cases worldwide (WHO). Vaccinating dogs is the most cost-effective way to protect people. Vaccinate every cat and dog you keep, including a street animal you adopt, and keep the vaccine up to date as your vet advises. Ask your nearest government Upazila veterinary hospital (Department of Livestock Services) about rabies vaccination for your pet.

Adopt a street cat or dog

Many cats and dogs in Bangladesh live on the streets and need a home. Adopting a local cat or dog saves you money, gives an animal a family and is the choice Vetofast encourages. Before you bring a street animal home:

• Take them to a vet for a check-up.
• Start their rabies and other vaccines, and treat them for worms, fleas and ticks.
• Ask your vet when to spay or neuter, so you do not add more animals to the streets.
• Keep them apart from other pets until the vet says it is safe.

Talk to a vet before you decide

A vet can help you choose a pet that suits your home and tell you what it will need. Use Find a vet on Vetofast to find a clinic near you, or ask your question on Ask a vet.