Pawjourr aims to be the number one pet parenting platform for pet owners to find advice and products/services that best suit their pets. However, we also aim to help future or expectant pet owners in deciding whether they should get a pet, and what comes with it.
Dogs, cats, and other animals are all great companions to have, but with that companionship comes a lot of responsibilities that people are sometimes not aware of.
Therefore, team #TWA have put together some considerations for you if you’re looking to get a pet, but not sure what are some things you need to be aware of.
Can you afford it?
While rewarding, owning a pet in Singapore can also be one of the most expensive experiences to have, with a host of things being needed to be paid for in order to keep your pets happy and healthy.
There are the more obvious costs such as food, medical costs, and toys you would need to cover over the course of your furkid’s life. However, there’s also hidden costs such as grooming, logistical costs if you bring your pet out, repair costs if they damage anything, and many others.
Based on Valuechampion.sg, it costs “S$25,800 on average to own a dog over 10 years. Cats are less expensive, costing at least S$15,600 over 10 years”.
While that isn’t a particularly large amount given it’s over the course of a decade, this does means that there may be purchases you might have to sacrifice. Items that you’ve been wanting such as the latest gaming consoles, a new handbag or other things might have to be put on hold, so that you can buy your pet the things that they need or maybe even want.
Are you able to commit to the lifestyle?
Getting a pet changes your lifestyle entirely, even before the actual day that you bring them home. Things like planning where your pet will sleep, what they’re going to eat, what accessories they might need are all things you would need to settle before getting the actual pet.
For working adults, being in the office 8-9 hours a day means that if there’s no one at home to spend time with them they’ll be alone for most of their days. Dogs and cats are extremely social creatures and require a lot of attention.
Therefore, it’s important to weigh all the pros and cons in your head before getting a pet. Not only do they need to adapt to your lifestyle, but also to the lifestyle of your family or flatmates.
Are your family members/flat mates ready for a pet?
Owning a pet doesn’t involve just you, but also involves people that are close to or living with you too. Before you decide to get a pet, it’s important to ensure that the people living with you are okay with it too, especially for those that may have allergies or other conditions that makes having pets difficult for them.
For relatives who are scared, it’s important to let them get used to the idea first before getting one and hoping that they’ll adapt to the situation. If they’re never able to live with a pet, it may mean you having to give them up and delaying the process of them finding their forever home.
Training & Vets
Before you get your pet, it’s also important to know what kind of training you’d like to engage in to help them accustom themselves to your house. With a huge variety of training styles available, choosing one or two that you think would work best is important so that you can add structure from day one.
It’s also crucial to work with a pet trainer so you can get more accurate advice on what may or may not work with your pet for maximum effectiveness. They can give you tips and tricks, and help you refine your training style further to better suit your pets.
Conclusion
Having a pet is an extremely wonderful experience and it’s filled with lots of love, laughs, and moments that you’ll never forget! However, with these wonderful moments also come a lot of responsibilities when caring for your pet.
Once you’ve found ways to take into account the various considerations above (and any others that are relevant to your lives), you’ll be able to ensure a smoother transition for when your pet first enters your home.
While there will always be ups and downs regardless of how much preparation is made, part of the pet ownership experience is the journey of watching them grow up, in spite of both the good and the bad.
So, get ready for a fun-filled adventure with your future companion!
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If there are other things you think potential pet owners should consider before getting a pet, let us know in the comments below!