Admit it! You watched a cute dog or cat video on the internet and now you’ve spent hours obsessing over them and contemplating whether to get a pet or not.
And why won’t you! Owning pets is a good way to release dopamine which helps you to maintain good mental health whilst being surrounded by the burdens of your practical life. Studies have shown that being around an animal can ease depression, stress, and other mental health symptoms.
But caring for the animal is a huge commitment you must be ready for, rather than treating it as a toy that you’re temporarily attracted to. Although this might scare you if you’re new but here’s what you need to ask yourself before taking up the challenge.
Do You Have Ample Time and Energy to Commit to a Pet?
The most important question is whether you’re there for their needs or not. Dogs for example need the most time to be looked after out of all the pets. Young puppies need food 2–4 times a day, while older dogs need it 1–2 times a day. They need to go outdoor at least twice a day and need to play to relieve their stress and anxiety, failure to do so may end up your couch or clothes being torn apart.
Cats on the other hand are easier to handle due to them not being so demanding of your time. Young kittens eat 3–4 times a day while older cats need to eat 3 times a day. Cats are mostly indoor animals since they don’t need to be taken out on a walk, unlike dogs.
Cleaning up after their mess is also a very tiresome task, a survey conducted in 2019 showed pet abandonment figures reaching 21% in Spain due to unwanted littering in the house. Smaller animals are not so demanding of time except the fulfillment of basic necessities, which include feeding and cleaning their cages.
Do You Have Enough Money on Hand for a Pet?
Pets can sometimes be acquired for very little money or even for free, but on the other hand, some animal breeds can be a bit pricey. Pets increase your expenses as they need their food, treats, toys to play with, and the occasional visits to the vet in case of a medical condition or injury.
In this regard, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has prepared an annual financial breakdown for some species of animals. For example, a large dog breed can cost you an estimated $1,040.31 whereas a small breed dogs cost you $737 annually. On the other hand, cats cost you around $809 annually and other small animals such as rabbits and ferrets cost between $470–580 annually. You have to be aware of your financial condition to properly care for the pet.
Do You Have a Good Routine?
Taking care of another life can be quite hard if your daily life routine is very unbalanced. Having a pet means that you can’t live a very spontaneous life.
Dogs for example get very destructive when left alone, some dogs even suffer from separation anxiety and become agitated when owners leave. These dogs then display distress behaviors and start barking within a short time of their owners leaving the home. And will proceed to act as if it’s been ages since they’ve seen their owners when they show up again.
This just isn’t the case with dogs only, every pet you keep will need you to interact with them at least once a day and take out time to feed them or play with them rather than being busy at work all day.
Have You Done Your Research?
The final question comes up upon whether you have done your research properly about which type of pet you want. Talking to a Veterinarian is the best option one could opt for since they are professionals in this line of work. Make sure to find out about your allergies as people are often allergic to certain animals without them ever knowing. Try to research which kind of animal will suit your lifestyle and what kind of environment you have to provide it at home.
Conclusion
Having said all this, if you think you fulfill all these requirements and you’re ready to start a new chapter in your life, then it’s time for you to bring your new best friend home. But make sure to get an opinion from your family and friends, before making an irrational decision.