The addition of a new pet to anyone’s life is a very exciting experience. This article discusses the key questions that should be considered before bringing home your new furry friend.
Questions to ask yourself before bringing a new pet home
- If I have other pets in my household, how do I think they may react to a new arrival?
- Is my apartment/house large enough for my new pet? Do I have an exercise area nearby?
- We all have different lifestyles, and is mine suitable for the needs of this pet?
- Am I a cat or dog person?
- If I have housemates or family members, have I asked how they feel about a new pet?
- Is the household offering a safe and healthy environment?
- Who ultimately is responsible for the animal’s overall care, health, and welfare? It should be a mature adult.
- Would a very young dog with bundles of energy, or a more sedate elderly dog be a more suitable companion for me? Which suits my personality more?
- What do I want from my pet, is it a late-night TV buddy cosying up on the sofa, or a partner for those oxygen fuelled runs along the beach together?
- Am I a workaholic who cannot invest time in my pet?
- Looking ahead- How big will this little bundle of fur likely become, and will I still be able to love and care for it in my home?
- Have I considered if/when I should have my pet spayed/neutered? Do I want to breed from this animal?
- If I am away very often, who can look after my pet?
Essential investments for your pet
We often wonder how much money must be “spent” on a pet. I prefer to ask, how much do we need to “invest” in our pet? Looking after your pet’s health will always pay dividends. A healthy pet is a happy pet!
As with us humans, there are essential costs which must be met to fulfil the basic requirements of our pets.
- Food
- Veterinary care
- Microchipping (now compulsory)
- Dog licence (now compulsory)
- Collar, leash, harness
- Litter tray
- Grooming supplies
Putting time into your pet
It is also very important to understand that your pet also needs an investment of your time, not just your money. This investment of time in your pet should never be under-estimated, as it allows you both to enjoy that special bond between one another.
- Pets should be fed two or three times daily, and with puppies and kittens it is more often.
- We recommend that you spend one hour per day directly interacting with your pet and this can be achieved by walking, playing, grooming, watching TV together, chatting, and in the case of cats gentle stroking or cuddling is a great activity.
- Excited and energy filled pets, more time spent walking may be necessary as they generally need this to meet their individual needs. Similarly, as some pets may become bored or fed-up more easily, providing more interactive toys will help stimulate them more. The outdoors can provide welcome relief for energetic breeds.
- Pets with longer coats, grooming for 10-15 minutes a day can be very productive. Your pet will enjoy this time with you, and this will also prevent coat matting.
- For pets that are rehomed from rescue centres or shelters, these often may require more one to one time in the early stages in nourishing that special bond. Sometimes, a little more positive assurances from you in a calm and friendly voice is all that is required. A confident rub on the head with heart felt words of encouragement can work wonders for pet’s confidence in these early days.
Dr Tim Kirby MVBMRCVS
