Having pets can be an enormously rewarding experience for humans in a number of ways. Pet owners are less likely to be affected by depression and loneliness, and a number of studies have demonstrated that having pets can decrease blood pressure and cholesterol levels and reduce stress. For parents, having family pets can be a way to teach children about responsibility, empathy, and compassion, in addition to being a lot of fun. However, between the cost of food and veterinarian bills, pets can also be a huge financial responsibility.
For those considering getting a pet for the first time, it is important to consider a number of factors before you actually bring a new furry friend home. Animal shelters and pounds across the country are flooded with animals brought in by people who didn’t take the time to fully prepare themselves to be good pet owners, and didn’t examine all of the pros and cons beforehand. The result of this is that a lot of very sweet and loving animals get euthanized because the shelters simply don’t have the resources to provide space and food for all of them.
If you are considering getting a pet, one of the first steps you should take is to find out if you or anyone living in your household is allergic to pet dander. Find a friend who has the type of pet you want to add to your family. Offer to “babysit” the pet for a weekend. Another option is to foster an animal from your local shelter or the humane society. In addition to finding out about allergies, this will give you a sense of how a pet might fit in to your family or home. You will be made aware of any potential problems or challenges that might arise if you do decide to get a pet.
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Pets can make wonderful companions for children.
Another thing you need to consider before getting a pet is your budget. If you are already struggling to pay off loans and monthly bills, why would you add another huge expense unnecessarily? Talk to a veterinarian about what kind of expenses to expect for relatively healthy animals, and make sure to have a bit of money put aside in case your pet gets injured or ill. Budget for things like food, litter if you are getting a cat, and for pet sitters in situations where you might need to go out of town for a few days.
Consider any potential changes in your life coming up. If you are preparing to start a new job, move to a new place, or start school, it is probably wiser to wait until you are more permanently situated to get a pet. If you see yourself moving to a new apartment or rental house in the next few years, consider the fact that many landlords have restrictions on which pets will be allowed, and will often require that you pay a pet deposit or an extra monthly fee if you want to have pets live in your rental property.
Finally, you will need to consider how much time you will have to spend with your pet. If you are going to be at school or at work for most of the day five days a week or more, your pet might feel neglected unless it has some kind of companion. If you are planning to get a dog, you will need to be able to dedicate a certain amount of time each day to ensuring that your dog gets proper exercise, especially if you do not have a fenced yard big enough for the dog to run around in. If you enjoy going for walks or going running, a dog can make an excellent walking or running companion, which will be beneficial for both of you. But if you aren’t going to have time on a daily basis for this, considering getting a smaller dog that doesn’t need so much exercise or some other type of pet.
The main thing to think about before getting a pet is any situation that could arise that would make you feel that you need to get rid of your pet. If you can see such situations arising, reconsider your decision. Your pet can become a beloved member of your family, and doesn’t deserve to be thrown away like garbage.
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Already have pets, or have made your decision to adopt a pet? See “Savings on Pet Care Expenses Part 2,” coming soon, to find ways to reduce the amount you spend on vet bills and more!