If you’re considering getting a pet, they are wonderful things and can bring so much joy to your life, however, before you jump straight in and fall for those puppy dog eyes, there are some things you need to think about first and some questions you need to ask yourself:
Can You Commit?
What is your lifestyle like now, and does it allow you some time to walk a dog each day? Do you go away for weekends often, will a dog be able to come or is there anyone who can go round to your house and feed a cat? If the answer you can’t really commit to a pet, and there’s no one else in the house who can share the duties then you should probably stop thinking about getting a pet right now unless you want to consider getting a fish or a parakeet or something else less demanding.
Do You Have Time To Research?
Then when it comes to food and other equipment, make sure you do your research again for the breed you are getting and what is most suitable for them. It can be easy to grab the pet food the nicest design on the cover, but that is not what is going to guarantee your pets’ long term health. Do your research and have a look at different brands and what they stand for. For example, Burns has been created by a vet who kept seeing dogs in his veterinary surgery with similar issues and felt that some of the ingredients in popular dog foods could have been doing more harm than good. He felt that dogs should be given home-cooked food such as chicken and rice, which seemed to work well and clear up a lot of problems, so he launched a range of dog food which didn’t contain ingredients known to cause intolerances or allergies.
Will Kind Of Pet Is Right For You?
Choosing a pet based on how cute it is, is probably one of the worst things you can do. It’s important to research the breed you are interested in and be open to changing your mind if it doesn’t fit your family. Do you have children? Is the animal or breed you’re considering good with children? How active is the dog you’re considering? Do you have the time for long walks? Do you live in a good area, suitable for a cat or dog? A pet cat should also match your personality; for example, some cats require a lot of attention and interaction while others are mostly independent. Do your research and choose wisely.
Is Your Home Pet-Friendly?
Before you decide on getting a new pet, you need to have a look at your home and search for possible hazards. Just as you would baby-proof before you have a child, are you able to do this for a pet too? Check your home and garden for toxic plants for dogs or cats too.
Can You Afford A Pet?
Don’t forget that pets come at a cost, from vet bills to the cost of food and it’s important to add all of this up before you commit to making sure you can properly afford to take care of them. If you’re getting a new puppy or kitten, then they will need injections and check-ups at the vets in the early days. If you’re going for a rescue dog, then chances are they will be older and could have problems already which you will need to go to the vet for.