There are many things you will need to think about before you bring a new pet into your family. Find out more about the most important ones below.
The cost
First, before you bring a pet into your family you need to consider the cost. This means adding up not only the purchase cost of a pet, but also all the regular outgoings linked to their well-being such as food, veterinary care, bedding, boarding when you are on vacation, toys, and the like.
If you plan on getting a pet that needs attention in the day like a dog, you may also need to include the cost of employing a professional walker if you cannot get home in the day.
The impact they can have on the condition of your home
Pets are animals and no matter how well house-trained they are, their presence in our home will impact its condition. For example, pet hair and dander can get into the soft furnishing and atmosphere, and scratches on the floor and walls can also be common. Accidents when pets are young, if they are not house trained (such as hamsters, or rabbits), or when they get ill are typical as well.
The good news is you can do some things to minimize the impact your pets have on your living space. For example, considering one of these pet friendly flooring options can help make any accidents easy to clean up in the moment. Such flooring can also help prevent any long-term damage to your home as they are designed to repel moisture and dirt.
How you will dispose of their waste
Can we get real for a second? Pets poop, and this means as a responsible owner you are going to need a way to dispose of their waste. For example, if you get a hamster you will need to clean them out, dispose of their dirty bedding and add in new clean bedding.
Alternatively, if you have a dog you will need to pick up their waste while you walk them and then properly dispose of it when you return home. Be aware though that not all cities allow residents to dispose of dog waste in the residential trash so be sure to check this before you bring your new pet home.
The emotional investment
Last of all, getting a pet is a huge emotional investment. Indeed, many people find the friendships they share with their pets to be much less complicated than those with other humans, and because of this, the bond between owner and pet can be incredibly strong.
Of course, while your pet is alive and well, this is a wonderful thing but it can become challenging when your beloved animal gets sick, is suffering or when they pass away. Indeed, it can be incredibly hard to lose a pet with whom you have such a strong emotional bond.
Now, I’m not saying that because all pets pass eventually you should not get one. Instead, it’s about bearing this part of the process of pet ownership in mind, and perhaps setting out safeguards such as pet insurance so you can ensure they stay as healthy and as comfortable for as long as possible.
