Bringing a pet home is exciting for everyone from adults to children. Whether choosing to introduce a dog, cat, bird or rabbit into your home, each pet provides their own unique form of love and even comfort.
However, in order to ensure the best fit possible, there are different factors that you should consider before bringing a new pet home. This is largely because, while you might desperately want a dog, your lifestyle might not be the best match.
By understanding how different facets pertaining to lifestyle and pet care will impact the bond between pet and human, you can ensure that you are doing the right thing by yourself, but most importantly, by the pet who relies on you for their health and wellbeing.
Things to consider before bringing a pet home
Before bringing a pet home with you, it’s important to take into account different aspects of your life. By taking a step back and looking into your personal circumstances, you can better understand if you can truly not only accommodate a pet, but also, look after one.
Do you have allergies?
Some people are allergic to pollen while others are allergic to the dander or the saliva of cats and dogs. While there is no such thing as a nonallergenic dog, some breeds are considered to be low allergen due to their coat shedding less.
However, it’s also worth noting that pets can also be a trigger for people with asthma. So, before committing to a pet, it’s important to consider any existing allergies, if they may be triggered and how you will deal with it should you still want to bring a pet home.
Is your space big enough?
Whether you are looking at bringing home a rabbit or a dog, pets need space. From their beds and toys to room to go to the toilet and stretch their legs, space is important. With this in mind, do you have enough space to accommodate a pet? Additionally, if you are renting, does the landlord allow pets?
Do you lead a busy lifestyle?
A lot of pets require companionship in order to feel loved and cared for. Does your lifestyle leave enough time to simply hang out with your pet? Do you have time in the day to ensure that your pet eats and drinks enough, exercises and when necessary, visits the vet?
Are you financially sound?
While pets are a commitment to acting responsibility, they are also a financial commitment. You alone are responsible for providing them with everything they need in order to lead a good life. This encompasses everything from food and water bowls to accessories such as toys and dog beds.
In addition to this, you will also need to have the finances to pay for vet bills. These bills could be for vaccinations or yearly check ups, they could also be for more serious things such as surgeries. If you do not have the finances to help your pet if something goes wrong, your pet essentially becomes helpless.
How to choose the right pet
Once you’ve considered the different aspects of pet ownership and how your lifestyle aligns, you can turn your attention towards choosing the right pet. A pet that fits in with your lifestyle and also, your wants and needs.
Research personality and temperament
A good place to start is by researching the personality and temperament of certain breeds. For example, if you want a dog, look into different breeds. Some breeds will be carefree and easy to train while others might be a little more strong willed.
If you already have a pet at home, it’s important to understand if your existing pet is friendly towards others and vice versa. This way, you can ensure that you are providing a safe environment for both pets.
Think about their age
While there is nothing cuter than a puppy or a kitten, young pets are a lot of hard work. You will need to teach them everything from basic commands such as sit and stay, to potty training.
On the other hand, more mature animals are typically more mellow. In most instances, they will be house trained and have a grasp of certain commands. All of which can make the transition into their new home much easier.
Consider lifespan
Another aspect of age to consider is the pet’s lifespan. Cats will live, on average, around 15 years while dogs typically live to around 12. Losing a pet can be a very emotional experience. Are you prepared to deal with these emotions? Will your kids be ok?
The right pet for the right home
There is a lot of excitement around bringing a new pet home. However, before rushing in, take some time to consider a few critical aspects. By taking a step back and considering how your life might align with taking care of a pet, you can ensure that you are providing the foundation needed for a lifelong bond to develop.
