Have you thought about getting yourself a fur baby or two? Getting your family ready for a pet is necessary before bringing a pet home.
If you have any kids, chances are, you’ll consider getting a pet at least once. There are so many great advantages to having a family pet, but if you don’t prepare, it could easily backfire as well.
Is your Family Ready for a Pet?
So, how can you tell whether you’re ready to get a pet and bring it home? Several factors will determine if you and your family are ready for a pet.
Comfort Level
Start out by gauging your comfort level around animals and that of your children, especially the animal that you want to get. You can begin with a small bit of exposure by visiting the homes of your friends who own pets, animal shelters, and pet stores.
Gradually increase the amount of time you spend with them. It’s important to teach your children how to interact and respect animals.
You don’t want to be scared of the animal, yet you can’t be too excited in case the animal becomes harmful.
Responsibility
For some people, taking care of themselves satisfactorily is a precarious situation.
The same goes for your children. Kids responsible enough to complete their chores and do things like brush their teeth every day are in a position to provide consistent care for a new pet.
Commitment
Be aware that owning a pet isn’t something to be enjoyed for a little while before moving onto the next big, exciting thing. It takes long-term planning to make sure both your pet and your family don’t face neglect.
If you’ve never owned a pet before, it’s smart to test out ownership before you get your own. A great way to do this is to watch a friend or neighbor’s pet while they’re out of town for a weekend or a vacation.
After this trial, you’ll be able to assess how ready your family is, and what kind of animal would be best to get.
Sustainability
There’s more to owning a pet than loving it and committing to providing care for it every day. You’ll need to assess your financial situation and your living space to determine whether this is something you can sustain over time.
Different pets will require different amounts of care. Some may need their cages cleaned frequently while others may consume large amounts of food.
Also, most pets will need an owner who can afford to keep them washed and fed.
If you need more information on proper dog care, check out this comprehensive resource guide you can use as reference whether you have a puppy, a senior dog, or any dog in between. You will find it useful for situations that involve feeding and nutrition, potty training, exercising, socialization, and even grooming.
Sharing
Taking care of your pet (unless you live alone) should not be put down to one person in your family. Life can get hectic and turned upside-down; making your pet suffer because of those unexpected changes would be the wrong way to go about things.
Prepare everyone to pitch in and do their part in washing, feeding, walking, visits to the veterinarian, and any other aspects of care your pet needs. It won’t always be convenient, but giving your pet the support you would give a family member will help them to live longer and give your family a lifetime of loving memories.
Pets are affectionate, devoted and forgiving – the very definition of unconditional love. Studies have also shown pets are good for our mental health! Learn more about the Paws-itively Amazing Benefits of Pets.
