What to consider before adopting a new pet
By Charlotte Francesca Stiles, DVM
Adopting a new pet can be both an exciting and rewarding experience, however, it is not a decision that should be taken lightly. If you’re considering adopting, there are a few things you should think about beforehand to make sure that it’s the right thing for both you and the new pet.
In this article, we’ll briefly explain how to assess whether you’re ready for a new pet by going through the following considerations:
- Impact on existing pets.
- Long-term commitment.
- Financial responsibilities.
- Lifestyle.
- Home environment.
Impact on existing pets
One of the first things you should consider is how the animals already in your home will react to a new arrival. Think about how this will affect mealtimes, exercise, and personal space, as well as whether the two animals will actually get along.
The social compatibility of animals in multi-pet households may be affected by the following:
- Species.
- Breed - for example, more energetic breeds may not be suited to households with calmer breeds.
- Age - for example, newborn pets and senior animals may not be the best combination.
- Health conditions - animals with serious health conditions may not be best suited to busy multi-pet households.
- Type of household environment - for example, a small apartment might not be suitable for more than one pet.
- Pet-specific routines and whether they are compatible - for example, walk lengths or special feeding routines.
Long-term commitment
Adopting an animal requires a long-term commitment, as you will be obligated to care for the animal in every way for the rest of their life. This means daily, monthly, and yearly obligations in terms of both money and time.
It’s important to be sure that you can attend to your new pet’s needs in every way before you adopt them. In some cases, it may be possible to foster an animal, rather than adopt them. This means providing a home for an animal who may not cope particularly well in a kennel or shelter environment until they can find their forever home.
Fostering an animal can be a good way to help assess if you are ready for the commitment of adopting an animal by giving you a taster of what it means to care for one on a shorter-term basis.
Financial responsibilities
As we mentioned earlier, having a pet means being prepared for a long-term commitment, including a financial one. It’s important to be sure that you can afford to cater to your new pet’s needs for their entire life. This means paying for:
- Routine and emergency healthcare.
- Food, toys and litter.
- Pet services such as insurance, grooming, walkers and sitters.
Lifestyle
Aside from the monetary and commitment responsibilities, you need to make sure that your lifestyle enables you to care for a new pet before adopting. Examples of things to think about include:
- Work schedule.
- Travel plans.
- Hobbies.
- Free time for taking your pet on vet visits or walks.
With our Lifetime Protection Membership, you can access veterinary professionals anytime by phone, email or live chat, so whatever your lifestyle, you can get the help you need any time of day or night.
Home environment
Are you also sure that you have enough space in your home for your existing pets and a new pet?
If you’re thinking of getting a dog, it’s preferable to have a garden or green space nearby.
If you are thinking of getting a cat, you’ll need to think about whether you want them to go outside (and the dangers that come with that), and whether you’ll need a litterbox or cat flap.
Conclusion
We hope that you’ve enjoyed reading this article and that it’s given you all the advice you need about adopting a new pet! Adoption can be a great way to make a real difference in a pet’s life and can be a very rewarding experience.