Having a pet is a wonderful way to bring love, laughs and cuddles into your home and into your life! However, it’s also a huge commitment. A pet is another member of the family, and they require as much care as another person in your house would do, so it’s important to consider whether you really do have the time, money and patience before taking the plunge. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Time Commitment
Most people are aware that a dog is a huge time commitment, but cats and other small animals take a lot of time as well. Any pet that is in your home requires attention from you in order for the relationship to be a rewarding one.
For small pets you will need to ensure that you are handling them daily, and that you are cleaning out their cages regularly. For cats, you will need to have the time and patience to litter train them as a minimum, and if you want to forge a meaningful bond with them it’s worth doing other types of training with them too, like teaching them to sit, and shake hands (paws!). Cats get as much out of being trained as dogs do.
If you are getting a dog the same is true, plus you will need to ensure that you are making time every day to exercise your canine pal. Generally, the larger the breed the more exercise they will need so make sure that you allow for this. Dogs also can’t be left alone for any great length of time, so if there is likely to be a change in your circumstance that will see you working away from home at any time during the dog’s lifespan (roughly 18 years) then you should take this into consideration.
Budget
Dogs don’t just need feeding. You will need to buy dog's bed and toys to keep them entertained, plus you will need to ensure that you are keeping on top of preventative veterinary care like vaccinations and flea and worm treatments. It’s also a very good idea to take out pet insurance so that some accident or unexpected illness doesn’t leave you with a huge bill. You want to make sure you are adequately covered for all eventualities so it is always a good idea to do your research on the best pet insurance companies before you purchase.
On average you can expect to spend $500 when you initially adopt your pet, and then a further $500 per year after that.
What You Plan to Feed Them
Just like the human members of your family, your furry pets thrive on a diet that provides them with all of the nutrients that they need. A lot of pet foods that you buy in the store aren’t that good, so it’s worth doing your research and buying a food that provides all that your pet needs. Check out family-owned pet food brands, who have formulated their foods to make sure that your family pet is getting everything it needs.
The Impact On Your Home
Pets will ruin your house, there’s no two ways about it. Cats will scratch everything, and dogs will leave hair everywhere and cover the floor in muddy footprints.
You can develop strategies to deal with these issues, but the chances are your home won’t be pristine, or you will be spending a lot of time on cleaning and maintenance. Make sure you are comfortable with that before bringing an animal into your home.
Children
Whether you have children now, or think you may have them in the future, you should consider them when getting a pet. You will need to train both your pet and your child to treat one another with respect to prevent any altercations!
Holidays
When you have a pet it changes how you approach holidays. If you have a small pet or a cat you will need to find someone who can take care of your furry baby while you are away, whether that’s a pet-sitting service, a kennel, or a family friend. If you have a dog you may be able to take your dog on holiday with you, but you’ll have to ensure that the holiday you are planning is pooch-friendly.
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