When a new pet is being considered it is important to know what pets need in and around the home.
One of the biggest costs associated with owning a pet is vet bills. Many pets are put-down or abandoned as their owners cannot afford their treatment costs. All pets should be regularly vaccinated and wormed to protect their long-term health and ensure a safe environment for you and your family. It is also worth ensuring that fleas and ticks never become a problem in the home by regularly applying treatments to your pet.
If your pet requires serious veterinary care during its life because of illness or accident, pet health insurance may be worth the regular investment. If your pet is fortunate not to require serious medical attention, however, you may find that you pay into the plan more than the cost of treatment you claim from it.
No one can predict the future health or luck of your pet, so it is your responsibility to ensure that you have some means of covering the cost of unexpected and regular medical bills, whenever they arise.
Food is another source of expense. Pets will need regular feeding with food designed specifically for pets. Buying in bulk is a good way of saving money, but you need to ensure that you have the room to store the food in good condition. It is important not to feed your pet less food to save money. As well as being cruel, a malnourished pet can be inactive or bad tempered, threatening its good relationship with you. Food which is not ideal for pets to eat may lead to stomach problems and vomiting so it is important to feed good quality pet food only, which they enjoy.
Unless you are planning on breeding from your pet, it should be neutered from an early age, a procedure carried out by a vet that will cost money. The good news is that neutered pets need to eat less and tend to have less medical issues and so can save you money over the lifetime of your pet!
Stray cats and dogs can be a nuisance to others and are in great danger from car accidents. If your dog causes an accident while roaming, you can, under some circumstances, be found liable for any damage caused.
Dogs will need to be walked every day, which can be very time-consuming. If you cannot walk a dog every day make sure you ask someone who can or contact a dog walking agency. Different breeds (or in the case of cross-breeds, the breeds that make-up your dog) require different levels of exercise so make sure you select a breed that's right for your time-commitment and energy. If you do choose an agency for exercise, make sure you spend enough time with your dog so it can still bond with you.
Don't forget that when you go on holiday, your pet's welfare needs to be considered. You will need to either ask a friend look after the pet or take it to a kennel or cattery, where you will need to provide an up-to-date Record of Vaccination. If you are planning on going abroad and taking your pet with you, you may need to consider the requirements for a pet passport, which can take up to six months to acquire. Some hotels and other accommodation providers offer "pet-friendly" services, allowing you to take your pet with you. Make sure you have established this in advance of leaving on your trip.
You need to decide whether you can cope with certain aspects of owning a pet. You will need to housetrain your pet which can be a long and difficult process. You will need to have the patience to manage potential behavioural issues such as the chewing of household items and the scratching of furniture. The constant moulting of fur can also be a problem for the houseproud or allergy-sufferer.
Even though you may think you are ready to adopt a pet, your home may not be suitable pets to live with you. Many landlords and property management companies do not let animals live with their tenants and if you are caught you could face a fine and possibly eviction.
Finally, remember that many pets can live anything up to 20 years. Just because you want a pet now, it does not necessarily mean you want one five years down the line. Adopting a pet is a long-term commitment.
While all of these matters need careful consideration, over half of the households in the UK have a pet and that's because the joy of owning a pet usually out-weighs any of the burden. Pets offer great companionship, love and loyalty. And they are totally dependent on you, as their owner, to provide for their needs. Are you ready for that commitment?
Your local Vets4Pets Veterinary Practice can give you further advice on looking after your pet. Please select your nearest practice from the list below.
