The idea of bringing home a new pet is exciting! Whether you’re going to be a first-time pet parent or seasoned veteran, a new pet requires you to make changes so it’s not a decision that should be made lightly. Many people think about the commitment they will be making to care for a new pet for the rest of their life (which could be upwards of 10 years, depending on the species and breed). What they don’t always think about are the day-to-day care aspects that not only change their routine, but their entire life.
Read on to learn about what factors to consider before you bring home your new pet, and if now is the right time.
There is evidence that having a pet can not only reduce the likelihood of children developing anxiety and other mental health disorders, but that it also teaches them important social and developmental learning. (Trusted Source) Dog owners have been found to perform more physical activity, (Trusted Source) which can ultimately improve their physical health.
Anecdotally, we all want to believe that having a pet is a good thing for everyone but in truth, pet ownership is a mixed bag of the good and the bad. It can be incredibly rewarding to have a living creature you connect with and relies on you entirely. This feeling of purpose is even stronger if you’ve rescued your pet. But as our friendly neighborhood Spiderman says, “with great power comes great responsibility.”
While some studies present data supporting the idea that pets are good for their owner’s mental wellbeing, others have found this to be more complicated. In fact, some research (Trusted Source) has shown that having a pet can lead to more anxiety, particularly when owners worry that they won’t be able to meet their pet’s needs, or feelings of guilt about not being a good enough pet parent.
Having a pet is a lot like having a child—you have to consider their needs in advance and often put them first. These adjustments range from inconvenient to undesirable; you may need to take your dog for a walk in a rainstorm, come home early to feed them, skip a trip because you can’t find a pet sitter, or not buy that new TV because you had to take an emergency trip to the vet.
Caring for a pet is more than just providing for their basic needs like food, water, and shelter. Each species has their own needs (dogs need to go for walks, exotic birds need interaction for a few hours daily either with humans or other birds, cats need surfaces to scratch on, etc.), which is complicated by the fact that each individual varies in those needs.
Depending on what type of animal you choose and how old they are when you bring them home, your new pet can live for many years. A dog’s lifespan ranges from nine to nineteen years, while a cat can live up to twenty years. If you choose an exotic pet, account for even longer if properly cared for—one of the top reasons that parrots end up in rescues is because they outlive their owners.
Before getting a pet, make sure to research the individual species and breed to get a better idea of their lifespan. If you’re older and concerned about your pet outliving you, consider putting a plan in your will for them, or lining up a guardian who will take them on.
It’s important to note that even though you should plan to have your pet for the rest of their life, not every pet is the right fit for every household. If you’ve given your family and your new pet time to adjust (at least three months) and sought guidance from your vet or a certified trainer and it’s still not working, reach out to the group you got the pet from.
Many breeders and shelters request that you contact them prior to rehoming the animal so that they can take it back and help you find a pet who’s a better fit for your family.
A common misconception is that pets will come ready to meet your expectations, but the truth is that most will need you to teach them the rules of the game. Most dogs don’t come house-trained or comfortable walking on leash unless they’ve been in a previous home where that’s been ingrained in them.
Additionally, every pet is different regarding what they need to keep them from getting bored, and thus getting into trouble. For example, German Shepherds, Belgian Malinois, and Border Collies are known for their smarts and trainability but this also means that they often outsmart their owners and get bored or frustrated easily.
Without an appropriate outlet, they will often find their own ways of entertaining themselves or develop behavioral challenges. To avoid resentment and frustration on your part, select a breed that fits your lifestyle and the amount of work you want to put in.
You’ll need to work the time it takes to feed, walk, play, bathe, and give any medication to your pet into your schedule. This may mean getting up earlier than you have in the past or not staying out late with friends. If you have a higher-energy dog, you’ll need to plan to exhaust that energy through running, hiking, games, mental stimulation, or a mix of the above.
While there will be days when you can only do basic care for your pet, keep in mind that interacting with you is probably the best part of their day. Even if you take fifteen minutes at the end of a long day to cuddle your dog, that small amount of time is invaluable in building and keeping the bond between you.
As we mentioned early, your new pet won’t come pre-programmed to know what you expect of them. The first few weeks to months of having a new pet is an adjustment period for both of you and will require trial and error to get you on the same page.
Generally speaking, follow the 3-3-3 rule. This states that for most new animals it will take at least three days to decompress (more depending on the individual), three weeks to start to understand the routine and what’s expected of them, and three months to really feel like they’re at home and know that this is their life now.
Each pet’s needs are different and are likely to change over the course of their life. Just because something worked for a past pet you had, doesn’t mean it’s the best thing for your new one. The best way for you and your new pet to be successful is to meet them where they’re at.
In order to help your new pet live a long and happy life, you’ll need to invest in preventative care like annual vet exams and vaccines, and for dogs and cats, routine flea, tick, and heartworm prevention. Dental care and nutrition are two other factors that will help keep your pet healthy in the long run. Many species will have special treats and dental cleaning equipment (peanut butter or salmon flavored toothpaste, anyone?) that you can use at home on a regular basis.
Different animals will need different foods based on their size, age, breed, and any medical conditions, so talk to your vet to find the best fit. For example, some dogs will be okay with eating normal adult dog food, while others will need food for high activity to ensure they’re getting the caloric intake they need.
You’ll also need to take into account any grooming or temperature needs your pet will need. Double-coated and brachycephalic dogs are more sensitive to the heat, so you’ll need to keep in mind your climate and the need for air conditioning.
Make sure to work the cost of what your pet needs into your monthly or annual allowance. Expect to spend a minimum $300 on medical expenses during the year, between $12 and $60 on a bag of pet food, and the upfront cost for supplies like bowls, toys, a crate, beds, etc. Many apartments require a pet deposit, pet rent, or liability insurance to cover any mishaps your pet has. On average, dog owners spend $1,533 on their pet’s expenses annually.
If you plan to have a dog walker, pet sitter, utilize daycare, or boarding, add that as well. And of course, keep in mind the unexpected. Emergencies happen—whether that means urgent surgery or an unexpected business trip, it’s helpful to have some money put aside. Consider investing in pet insurance early on, as it only becomes more expensive as your pet gets older.
It can be very difficult to get insurance to cover you if they feel like anything is pre-existing, so sign up early in life or right at adoption.
Dr. Erica Irish
Every pet is different, even within a species or a breed. When choosing a pet that’s right for you, think about the life and routine you currently have and want to have. Maybe you want a German Shepherd because you want to teach them cool tricks. While having this breed may look like a lot of fun because they’re so smart, with those brains comes the need for their humans to work those brains. And if a pet owner gets a dog with intense smarts but doesn’t have the time or energy to tire that dog out, the dog is going to find their own outlet—likely one their pet parent won’t like.
Think about how much time you want to spend working with or tiring out your dog. Some dogs will only need a walk to go potty and check out cool scents. Others will need a 2-mile run. Others still will need you to actively train them. If you’re working 10 to 12 hour shifts, it’s not likely you’ll want to come home and spend another two hours training your dog.
Thinking about that before selecting your dog can make all the difference in whether you have a happy dog-human relationship, or you’re tired, frustrated, and have built up resentment towards your pup.
Not sure you know what you want? Consider fostering. This is a great way to bring a pet into your home for a short period of time, and by trying out different pets, you’ll be able to bridge the gap between what you think you want, and what fits your lifestyle. Not to mention, fostering saves lives – helping the animal you bring into your home and the one that fills its kennel at the shelter.
👉 Check out this article to learn how to select the right pet for your lifestyle.
To figure out what kind of pet is the right fit for you, think about where you live, what time and energy you want to dedicate to your pet daily, what your spacing limitations are, and your financial situation for being able to support that pet longterm.
Having a pet can be a rewarding and meaningful experience, but it can also be challenging and frustrating. Prior to getting a pet, take the time to think about what sort of pet would best fit your life and what alterations you’d be willing to make to your basic day to day. Doing so will help ensure that you and your pet start off on the right foot (and paw), and can have a great relationship that’s mutually beneficial.
When you bring home a pet, plan to keep them for the rest of their life. This could range from 10 to 20 additional years depending on the species, and age you acquire them. Not all pets are the right fit for the home and work out for forever, but the goal is that they do.
You should plan to spend at least two hours dedicated specifically to spending time with your pet over the course of the day to maintain the dog-owner bond.
The amount of time you can leave your pet alone will depend on their individual needs. Dogs will need to be let out at minimum every eight hours to go to the bathroom. Cats can be left for longer (as long as they have food, water, and a litter box).
On average, dogs live between 10-13 years.
Dogs don’t have a sense of time, but they do have a biological clock and a strong sense of routine, which is how they know when it’s time to be fed, walked, or go to bed.
