Do you think that you are ready for a pet? A lot of people come to the conclusion that they are ready and in the right space for a pet, but the reality of the matter is that most people are not. You need to carefully think through all of the different needs that a pet will have, and ensure that you can meet them all fully before you decide that now is a good time for you to get a little friend.
We’re not saying this to be mean, we’re saying this because there are so many people out there who don’t give a pet that they have chosen what they need, and it’s heartbreaking to see.
So, instead of just jumping in, let’s take some time to look at all of the signs that you are ready to take on a pet, and you can see if you are ready, okay?
Good, let’s get started.
How Much Time You Have
The first thing that we want you to think about is how much time you actually have spare.
If you are someone who works a lot and if you have a partner who works a lot meaning that nobody is really home all that often, then is it really fair to go out and get a pet?
Sure, you could get something low maintenance that doesn’t need a lot of attention like a guinea pig or a hamster, but that’s about it.
You don’t want to get a cat or a dog as you’re not going to be able to fulfill their needs as you won’t really be there often enough.
It’s important that you are allowing yourself time to spend with your pet, seeing as they are going to be a part of your family once you bring them into the fold.
You don’t want to spend half of your life feeling guilty for this, and the other half wondering if your pet feels neglected by you so it’s just not worth it.
Your Financial Situation
You’re also going to have to sit back and consider your finances.
We know that a lot of people don’t like to talk about their finances, but it’s something that you’re going to have to face if you want to get a pet.
It might be the case that you simply cannot afford a pet right now, and that’s okay because you can always wait until you have a little more money.
So, if you want a pet but you know realistically it’s not affordable, don’t think of it as a no, think of it as a no right now.
Remember when you are going through the numbers that it’s not just the cost of the pet themselves that you are going to need to find.
It’s also everything to make them comfortable, to make them happy, and to generally ensure that they have a good life.
What They Are Going To Need
Speaking of the things that they are going to need, that’s what we’re going to be looking at now.
There are so many things that different pets are going to require, and it’s going to be your job to get them all.
For example, you’ve got the food that they need, and you can’t just buy the cheapest food that you can find because often this isn’t good for your pet.
You are going to need to have money for insurance and vet bills, toys for your pet, somewhere for them to sleep,a car seat cover for your pet, and so much more.
The car seat cover, like other things, will depend on what kind of pet you get of course, as you’re not going to get one of these for a gecko for example.
The best way to work out if you can afford to get them everything they need is to decide what pet you want, and then write down a list of all of the things that they would need.
Then, if you shop around online you should get a good idea of the prices for everything, and then you can go from there!
Whether You Are Responsible Enough
This one might sound a little harsh, but we all know people that we wouldn’t trust our pet to, and if you think you might be one of these people, it’s not a good time to get a pet.
There are things that you can do to prepare and you can work on yourself to ensure that you are ready for one one day if you want to.
But, you need to remember to feed your pet, walk it if needed, bathe it, and so much more.
It’s like having a small child except it’s not human and it’s probably a little less dependent than a child would be.
If You Have Kids
The final thing that we’re going to say is that if you have kids, then you need to ensure that a) you are looking for pets that are kid friendly, and b) that your kids are ready to have a pet.
They need to know the pet is not a toy and that it’s not something for them to just do whatever they want with.
They need to be careful and responsible as well, ensuring that everyone can live together nicely without problems!
Make sure that you talk to your kids about getting a pet before you do this, too.
Letting them feel as though they were involved in the decision is going to make them feel important and less likely to hold any resentment towards random pets that turn up.
We hope that you have found this article helpful, and now have a better understanding of whether or not you are ready for a pet.
If you think that you are, then go ahead and start looking at the different options that are available to you.
Try to ensure that you are only looking at ones that you can fit comfortably in your life, as the last thing that anyone wants is a neglected pet!