Bringing a pet home is always going to be a major change to your life. So is pet ownership for you and your family? Today we will share some insightful tips before you gift your family a pet or really very telling insight about pet ownership you need to consider (especially for dogs!)
A pet will impact everything from your spare time to your finances, and there is no stopping this!
It’s easy to forget, but important to remember that pets do cost money and may be more expensive than you are prepared for one of the best things you can do is gift a new pet for your family and become pet owners!
It’s so important to spend some time choosing the right pet because pets and families converging either go really smoothly or really don’t!
From finances to lifestyle, personality, and various other extraneous elements, make sure to consider everything before you introduce a new pet to your family!
Now, are you ready to explore some of the key elements that you should consider when you are exploring the idea of pet ownership for you?
A New Pet For Your Family? Let The Pet Choose You
When you are looking at different pets, you may find yourself venturing to a few different houses to look at options.
If you find a pet that you are totally besotted with, then you may have already been chosen by that specific animal.
It is very common that when you go and see a litter of puppies, one of them will come to you immediately. This is them saying, I like you and would very much enjoy living with you.
A lot of people don’t realize this and will continue to pick the one they want, totally unaware that a little puppy has already chosen them.
Other animals don’t tend to choose you. Instead, you get the pick of the litter.
For instance, you may choose the chunkiest kitten or the smallest one.
The smaller ones are known as the runt of the litter as they don’t get access to their mother’s milk as much as the others.
Before You Gift Your Family A Pet Consider Different Types Of Pets
- a bird
- a hamster
- a cat
- a rabbit
- a chicken
- a dog
- a salamander
Time + Family Life Are Considerations Before You Gift Your Family A Pet.
Time. We never have enough hours in a day, so pets and families need to think about the time they might need to invest in training a new family mate.
Do you have enough time for this in addition to everything already going on in your life?
When you own a pet, you need to make sure that you can dedicate enough of your time to them. A common mistake that happened during lockdown was that with people being off work, they invested in puppies and other pets.
However, they forgot that they would eventually be going back to work and leaving the animal for long periods of time.
If your pets aren’t used to this and are not the type of pet that likes being on their own, then you could come back to a destroyed house.
Take the husky, for instance, these are gorgeous dogs and make great companions, but they get bored very easily.
- Huskies are pack animals, so they are used to being around other dogs and kept occupied with various tasks.
- For huskies, you’ll need to make sure someone is home a good chunk of the time, or you need to be prepared to pay a pet sitter.
Tips For Providing Adequate Exercise For Your Dog
Regular exercise is essential for any dog, both physically and mentally.
- with pet ownership, you’ll need to be able to make sure the dogs get regular walks and physical activity (as mentioned above)
- Make a routine that includes walks so the puppies and dogs can relieve pent-up anxiety and stress, which becomes an outlet to expend extra energy.
Again all of this is really important if you have a truly active breed like a Husky or a Lab.
Walking and exercise ensure you give them plenty of opportunities to play and run around.
Not only will this provide them with ample exercise, but it will also give them a chance to interact with other dogs or people in a safe environment.
Playing fetch in the backyard or going on hikes are great ways to get your dog moving and keep its energy level balanced throughout the day so consider this when you want a new pet for your family that might be a dog.
Pet Ownership + Benefits Spending Time With Your Pet
Spending time with your pet is beneficial to both pets and families.
Do realize that no matter how much time you think you spend with your pet, chances are it’s not enough!
Dogs need attention, love, and companionship, just like humans do.
Spending quality time with your pup can help reduce stress levels and create a sense of calmness in the home.
Again you can look at our suggested list of ways to ensure your pet has plenty of healthy time spent with you from walking, playing fetch, petting, or cuddling on the couch!
Consider the Personalities of The Different Dog Types As You Consider a New Pet For Your Family
Next, you should make sure that you are thinking about the personality types of different pets. For instance, you could be looking at different dog breeds. It’s worth noting that certain dog breeds are more playful, and others require a lot of exercises.
Again, it’s about finding the right fit. Labs when young require a couple of miles of walking each day. In contrast, other breeds, such as Dogue de Bordeaux, are more relaxed and will be quite happy to lie at your feet on the floor for the majority of the day.
You can find out more about labs by clicking the link.
Do be aware certain decisions can also change behavior.
For instance, getting a dog neutered will often calm the animal down considerably.
Consider If Can You Keep The Noise Level Calm?
Did you know that dogs can become easily stressed by loud noises, so it’s essential to keep noise levels low in your home?
Can you do this?
- Keeping your windows closed. If the dog barks a lot
- No shouting matches, or do you argue a lot?
- Will you limit the number of squeaky pet toys so that the dog can relax?
If you can’t do understand that excessive noise can also often lead to barking and other disruptive behaviors that aren’t always good for the puppies, dogs, or even you.
Consider the Size Of The New Pet For Your Family… It Matters
Do consider the size of the animal that you are considering bringing home as well. Especially dogs
- Does your home have enough space for the pet?
- If your home is too small for the pet, it might become restless and destructive.
- Other pets and families need space, and some pets might be too energetic for the small space you have
- You’ll want a more expansive space so that you can run and play with the pet, too; after all, that is what pets and families do.
Can You Afford To Invest in Healthy Dog Food?
When creating a calming and relaxing environment for your pet, you need to consider their diet as well.
It is well known that what you feed your dog can directly impact its behavior and overall state of mind.
Make sure to provide your pet with high-quality, healthy dog food free from artificial preservatives, colors, flavors, and fillers.
Look for foods that contain fresh meats, fruits, and vegetables as the main ingredients.
While this will help ensure that your dog has access to all the essential vitamins and minerals they need for good health and emotional stability, make sure you are financially able to support this before you gift your family a pet (dog).
A New Pet For Your Family + What About The Kids?
- How will your kids interact with the new pet?
- Have your young children been around animals before, and how will they react?
- Do you think that the kids might throw things at the pet? Or will they try to ride on the dog?
- Will your new dog be accepting of kids and lick them, or will it be jealous of the kids?
- Pet ownership for you and your family can be a big learning curve.
Life Expectancy + Pet Ownership
One of the biggest downsides to pet ownership is the life expectancy and how much a family can quickly fall in love with their pet!
- some breeds of dogs live longer than others
- hamsters’ life expectancy is far shorter, so you need to be prepared for that
- do you want a starter pet, or a dog or a cat?
- Will the pet be there long after the kids are gone, and will you want to continue to care for it?
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Before You Gift Your Family A Pet, Do You Want An Indoor Or Outdoor Pet?
Finally, you should consider whether or not you want an indoor or outdoor pet. While most people are happy to keep their pets indoors, some prefer leaving the mess they bring outside.
That’s understandable.
Some animals are better suited for outdoor living. This includes rabbits as well as certain breeds of dogs.
You can also train dogs to live outside the majority of the time. While some people do view this as cruel, they can still have plenty of space and play.
Your Realistic Expectations Before You Gift Your Family A Pet Have Been Set. Now What?
We hope this helps you understand some of the key steps that you can take to ensure that you do find the right pet for you.
By exploring the right options here, you can guarantee that you don’t make a mistake and end up returning the pet or even selling it after a few weeks or months.
Remember, not everyone has a lifestyle suitable for every type of pet.
That’s why you need to think carefully about what you are looking for from an animal and whether or not you can provide what they’ll need. ~ Dana XO
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