Before Getting A Pet

(1) A Family Decision

All family members need to agree to getting a new addition to the household.

Is everyone at home agreeable to having a pet? All family members should agree to introducing a new addition to the household and understand the commitment this brings. More significantly, do the necessary research to pick the right pet for your family.

(2) Pet Education

Learn more about what you need to do to take care of your pet, before bringing one into the house.

Do you know enough about the pet to care for it properly? Different animals have different needs, be it socialisation, housing, food, veterinary care, exercise and grooming. 

For example, cats like to climb, jump and run around, so a cat tower and cat wand can make them happy. Dogs, on the other hand, love to go out for walks while small mammals like chinchillas, guinea pigs, gerbils and hamsters, need space and exercise toys such as an exercise ball, a cage wheel and a climbing tunnel.

It is important to feed the right types of food, as well as providing adequate rest and exercise, to your pet. A lack of, or excess of, any of these may lead to undesirable consequences such as illness, stress and unhappiness in the animal. Read up about these expectations or speak to someone who may have the experience to share with you.

(3) Training Day

Obedience training helps build a good relationship between the owner and pet.

Does your pet need socialising and training? Obedience training helps build the relationship between owners and their pet. It also teaches the pet socially acceptable behaviour, at home and in public.

Owners also get to bond with their pet during the course of training. A well-socialised and trained pet is a well-adjusted and happy one, and is less likely to be disruptive at home or a nuisance while outside.

(4) Happily Ever After…

A pet is a lifetime commitment. Some cats cat live up to 18 years!

Are you willing to keep your pet for life, regardless of the changes in your life? Whether you plan to move house, start a family or even to move another country for job opportunities, you should be committed to providing a loving and caring home for your pet for its whole life.

Here is a list of the expected lifespan of some common pets:

Birds: 5 to 70 years

Cats: Up to 18 years

Chinchillas: 15 years

Dogs: Up to 18 years

Fish: Variable

Gerbils: 3 to 4 years

Guinea pigs: 6 to 8 years

Hamsters: 2 to 3 years

Mice: 2 years

Rabbits: 8 to 10 years

Terrapins: More than 20 years

(5) Dollars and Sense

Pets can get sick or grow old. Factor in vet visits as part of the costs of keeping a pet.

Do you have the resources to keep a pet? You need to be emotionally and financially committed to provide what is needed to ensure your pet is loved, healthy and happy.

Here is the estimated cost of pet ownership, using dogs/cats as an example:

 

Ill-considered pet purchase is the leading reason for pet abandonment and negligence. Often, when the excitement of getting a pet wears off, many people find themselves unprepared for the reality of constantly cleaning up after their pet and having to spend time and money on food, play, grooming, and visits to the veterinarian.

  

As a responsible and considerate pet owner, there are also various laws that pet owners have to take note of, such as keeping pet dogs leashed at all times in public areas. Leashing pet dogs in public spaces enables pet owners to have better control, and prevents them from getting lost or from disturbing others unintentionally. There is also a Code of Animal Welfare for pet owners that specifies the minimum standards for animal housing, management, and care which pet owners are expected to comply with. 

Animals have feelings too. Pets can show affection to their owners, but can also feel pain and sadness. If you are unable to provide for your pet adequately, it is better not to get one at this point in time.