7 Things You Should Consider Before Getting a Pet

Pets are a bundle of joy, whether it is a cat, a dog or even a parrot. They always know how to cheer you up and ensure that you are always feel happy and loved. Although, pets can be a huge responsibility depending on the type of pet that one gets, they are definitely worth all the trouble.

We can get truly attached to our pets. After all, they are just like our personal child. Despite these great things about having pets, getting a pet is not always a good idea.

It involves a lot of commitment, money, time spent and you also have to consider whether you can tend to the animal’s wellbeing before you can even consider adopting a pet. Ultimately, the pet’s health and wellbeing comes before your source of entertainment.

Now, as everyone knows, it can be tough taking care of a pet. Anyone looking for getting a pet should be prepared and if they are not then they should know what to expect. Here are 6 of the most important things which you should consider before getting a pet.

1. What type of pet do you want?

The first and foremost thing you should think about before getting a pet, is what type of pet you actually want and what breed. Each type of pet requires different levels of attention, food and commitment levels, so your choice of pet should take into account your own lifestyle. 

Dogs are known to be fiercely loyal and the happiness of their owner means a lot to them. They go out of their way to ensure that their owner feels loved and cared for.

Depending on the breed too, such as labradors, they can be quite easy to train and can be a great companion. Other breeds of dogs such as huskies may require more attention and while their gorgeous coats of fur and blue eyes may make them very desirable, they can end up being quite a handful. 

As for cats, they have a different approach to loving their owner but they too appreciate everything that you do for them. They’ll purr when you scratch them in the right place and they love playing with their cat toys.

There are other types of pets that you could get besides just the usual cats and dogs. You could even get a goldfish, a hamster or even a rabbit depending on what type of animal you like. The key thing to remember is that each pet has their own requirements so you should choose on that suits your way of living. 

2. Can You Commit?

The first and most important thing that you need to ask yourself is if you can actually commit to having a pet. Pet ownership is a long-term commitment. Cats and dogs on an average have a life of 10 to 15 years.

Can you commit to them for that long? Cats and dogs need a lot of care and attention. You should be sure that you can devote enough time for your pet before making the decision of getting one.

If you have trouble committing for such a long time then maybe you should consider a pet that has an average life span of 2 to 4 years. Fish are a great option as they aren’t as demanding and have a shorter lifespan.

You should only commit to getting a pet if you believe that you will be able to spend enough time with them and live a lifestyle where there are others who can also look after your pet in case you are busy.

Sometimes, a pet can be better for families since everyone can pitch in on the responsibilities of having that pet like talking it for walks, feeding it and much more.

3. Can You Afford a Pet?

Owning a pet can actually cost much more than you might first realise. Therefore, you should take into account your financial conditions before thinking about getting a pet.

There are many expenses which you just can’t avoid such as grooming, food, veterinary care and toys. These costs are often regular costs and can add up! It is more costly to own a cat or a dog as owning a pet such as a fish would cost much less.

If you’re also very concerned with the safety and health of your pet, you may also want to consider getting pet insurance too. However, you might want to spend some time comparing pet insurance before you choose a pet insurance policy as it can end up being costly. 

4. Will the Pet Fit Your Lifestyle?

We live extremely busy lives. There’s always work and a social life that one has to maintain. Then, there’s the traveling and the time that you have, to give to your pet. Therefore, you need to make sure that you will be able to fit your pet into your lifestyle. Think twice before getting a cat or a dog. They require great attention.

You need to interact and play with them constantly. They might suffer from behavioral problems if you do not give them time. You might need to adjust various things in your lifestyle first before actually getting one. Other things to consider are your living situation as if you are renting a property then the property owner may allow pets inside the property or may only allow certain pets like fish, that are unlikely to have a negative effect on the property. 

If you do not have enough time to spend with your pets, you may need to consider a day-care for your pet so that it won’t get lonely and it can spend time with other pets too! Otherwise other options include dog walkers or pet sitters. However, these may cost a bit of money so that’s another thing to keep in mind.

5.  Do Your Research

Before getting a pet that you want, it is vital to do your research. Learn about the pet care that is needed to ensure that the pet stays fit. Learn as much as you can about the pet and the lifestyle that suits it. There are safety, nutrition and grooming care that you need to know about before getting a pet. There is tons of information which you should easily find on the internet, otherwise you can talk to your local vet. The vet will provide you with all the information that you need to know about a pet and tips for making sure your pet is living it’s best life!

Another thing you should do some research on is the different pet insurance policies in New Zealand so that you can pick the best deal that suits both your needs and your pets needs.

6. Allergies that your family members may have

Allergies can be quite common with owning pets as certain pets furs can spark allergic reactions to members of your family which can lead to constant sneezing, itchiness and rashes. So before you get a pet, make sure to check if you or your family does not have any allergies towards animals or fur. If you don’t know if you or your child is allergic to dogs or cats then you could consider spending time at a friend’s place that has a pet to find out. It is important to know whether anyone at home is allergic to the pet before getting it so that you won’t have to give the pet to someone else as moving to two different homes in a short period of time can be quite stressful for pets. 

7. Training your pet

Finally, not all pets are tame. Some pets might actually require training to behave properly and be obedient. In case where a pet needs training then you would need to consider which type of training would be needed. There is behavioral training and obedience training. Make sure to check these out to ensure that the pet has been provided with proper basic training such as potty training. Depending on the type of pet you get, there would be some sort of training that would be required. Not giving your pet the proper training it needs can lead it being a hassle on a day-to-day basis where even the smallest tasks like feeding the pet food or letting your pet do it’s business can be become a big issue. 

To Conclude

While owning a pet can be a lot of fun and can provide you with a unique source of companionship and loving, you did need to consider a range of factors before getting one to ensure that the pet won’t have a negative affect on your life, and that the pet will be in good hands. If you need more information about this, the SPCA has a lot of advice about pets so be sure to check out their website.