Introduction
Meeting your pet for the first time and bringing them home can be a wonderful moment in your life. Adding a new member to the family is a major commitment, however, that requires some careful consideration and preparation. If you’re a first-time pet owner, it’s even more important to review a few things before you make a decision. The last thing you’d want is to be overwhelmed or even shocked by the pet-ownership experience and, worse, have to surrender your pet to a shelter or give him/her up.
Whether you’re ready to commit to a specific type of pet or at the early stages of considering whether to get one, these 12 considerations will help you make an informed decision and better plan for your new family member.
1. Budget
In the longer run, with a dog or cat, you’ll be committing to loving and caring for them for the next 10 to 15 years or more. Start by reviewing the costs and whether a pet will be affordable for you. Pet-ownership costs will vary depending on the type of animal you’re getting. However, your budget will likely cover upfront fees for vaccinations, microchipping, and desexing. Ongoing costs, typically, will include food, worming, regular health exams, training, pet sitting, collars and leashes, bedding and toys, grooming costs, and insurance.
Upfront costs aside, the ongoing annual costs of feeding and caring for a pet can be $1,000 or more, which, added up, means tens of thousands of dollars over the course of your pet’s life. Do the maths so you’re clear about both upfront and going financial obligations, and ensure you’re prepared to cover any emergency medical treatments.
2. Space
Do you have the right environment for the type of pet you’re bringing home? The larger the animal, the more space he/she will need to thrive. For example, dogs do best in houses with yards, with plenty of space to move around. Access to the outdoors, inner courtyards, enclosed balconies, and long corridors are some of the things that make properties feel more spacious for pets.
If you’re living in the city in a densely packed apartment block, make sure your pet can live happily in confined spaces. A rabbit, guinea pig, or cat might be able to enjoy life in these environments but a large dog will likely find the same space stressful and confining.
3. Lifestyle and time commitment
Beyond the financials and space requirements, consider your lifestyle and how much time you have to dedicate to a pet. If you’re in a large household where you have multiple family members who can help with exercise, play, and feeding, then a dog could be for you. On the other hand, if you’re a busy couple away at work or social events for most of the day, then lower maintenance animals like lizards or fish could be more suitable for you.
Households that move around a lot are probably not suited for pets. Make sure you can arrange for a trusted pet sitter if you’re away a lot. In all cases, since all pets need some level of attention, you should be prepared for having less free time when you get a pet.
4. Care needs
Related to time and lifestyle commitments are your pet’s care needs. The idea of bringing home a Poodle, Westie, or Afghan with beautiful long hair might seem appealing, but are you prepared to pay for the grooming or learn to do it yourself? Owning a snake or lizard might, on the other hand, seem like an exciting and interesting hobby, but these are specialist pets. You should be ready to learn about their unique nutritional requirements and able to set up the right environment to support their wellbeing and comfort.
5. Rules and restrictions
Your property could have certain rules and restrictions when it comes to pet ownership. Check these before you commit. For example, certain pets or all pets might be prohibited in some apartment buildings. If you rent, your landlord might have rules about pets and in some cases refuse to allow them. With children or other family members who have asthma or other allergies, make sure your choice of pet won’t trigger health symptoms for them. Spending time with your friends’ pets is a great way to test their allergies.
6. Making the home safe and pet friendly
Once you’re ready to bring your pet home, you’ll want to ensure your house is safe. Everyday items like chocolate, sugar-free gum, and ibuprofen can be deadly for cats and dogs. Move chemicals and medicines into high cabinets and out of reach, and secure electrical cords and curtain rods so your dog, cat, or other pet can’t chew on them. Check your garden for toxic plants, such as lily plants and castor oil plants. Keep things like fertilizers, rat poison, and insect sprays carefully stored away in the shed.
7. Training
Cats, dogs, and other pets can be trained right away when brought home. Housetraining is essential for maintaining order and cleanliness. Introduce your kitten to her litterbox when you get home. For puppies or older dogs, put a leash on and take/her for a short walk to get to know the neighborhood.
Learn how to toilet train your dog. You’ll also want to train him/her not to scratch the sofa, to chew on shoes or bedding, and to engage in general good behaviour around the house. If you don’t think you have time to commit to training a pet, birds, rabbits, and hamsters are some of the animals that don’t require much training for the house. As a general rule, it can take puppies up to six months to be completely housetrained, so be patient.
8. Breed and personality
Think about the breed of animal and associated personality before you choose a pet. Bulldogs and Greyhounds are more sedate. On the other hand, breeds like Border Collies, Kelpies, and Jack Russells tend to be high energy and need more exercise. Certain animals or breeds are better with children.
Similarly, the age of your pet might also be relevant to your preferences and lifestyle. For example, a puppy will need more exercise than a senior dog. If you live a less active lifestyle but still have the time to take your dog for walks, adopting a senior dog might be right for you. In all, do your research, consider your activity levels and schedule, and choose your pet that best matches your expectations.
9. Spaying and neutering
Desexing your cat or dog (or other pet if recommended by your vet), generally speaking, can support his good health and longevity. Neutering or spaying can reduce aggression, make your pet less prone to certain illnesses, and prevent roaming and injury. It will eliminate the prospect of the unwanted litter as well. As such, you’ll want to speak to your vet about how soon you can have your new pet desexed.
10. Tagging your pet
Check your local council and pet-ownership rules on microchipping and other forms of ID. Microchipping your pet is a good idea in case your dog, cat, or other pet gets lost. It increases the chances you’ll have him/her safely returned to you. In addition to microchipping, make sure your pet, when outside, always wears a collar with your contact details. Some collars or tags come with GPS devices, which can also help you keep track of your pet in case he/she gets loose.
11. Adjusting to your new family member
Be prepared for a fun and perhaps a little hectic adjustment period when bringing your new animal companion home. Puppies tend to cry during the night for the first couple of days. Ensure you have a comfortable bed set up in a quiet space, and add blankets if it’s cold. The space should be a space where they don’t feel trapped or enclosed. If you are okay with your dog sleeping in your room, set it up in your bedroom. Keep water and food bowls in the same place so your pet knows where to go during feeding time. Make sure they have access to water at all times of the day and night. Start her toilet and home training right away to get her adjusted to living at home as soon as possible.
12. Find a vet
It’s a good idea to find a vet you feel comfortable with before you bring your new pet home. This way, in case of an emergency, you’ll have someone in mind if your pet needs medical attention. Look online, check out reviews, or ask friends for recommendations. What’s more, you can consult a trusted vet for advice on the best pet for your lifestyle and priorities before you choose.
Conclusion
Our pets give us companionship, unconditional love, and joy. They can teach kids about responsibility and affection. In return, what we can do for them is to provide them with a wonderful quality of life. This requires planning, which starts before you choose your pet. Seeing to it that you have sufficient funds, space, and time to provide them with care and attention is crucial. Learn to train your pet in the basics for living at home, find a trusted vet, and have your pet tagged in case of loss. Choosing the right animal and breed to match your lifestyle and household can also pave the way for a more fulfilling pet-ownership journey. Having a pet in the family requires major commitment in terms of time and finances, but it’s always worth it, as long as you plan ahead and factor these considerations into your decision-making.
