Cats and dogs are cuddly, sweet, fun and amazing—however, they are a lot of work and they are certainly not cheap.
There are many things to consider and sacrifices will need to be made. The good news is that it’s all worth it because the loyalty and friendship you’ll find in a pet will be unmatched.
Time
Pets take up a lot of your free time. They will need your attention and will love nothing more than to play with you. When they see you, their eyes will widen and their tails will wag. This is their way of letting you know that they want to play. Dogs need at least 30 minutes of exercise almost daily because they can suffer from diabetes, arthritis or become overweight. Not only do they need it for health reasons, they enjoy it. They love attention and they love to play. Dogs are not meant to be stuck in the house all of the time. Remember: don’t let them stay outside too long during extremely hot and cold weather conditions.
Cats may be a bit calmer than dogs, but they are still curious, playful and will jump on you when they want your time and attention. They are a tad easier when it comes to potty time because they do not have to be taken outside. However, for the sake of being sanitary and for the comfort of your cat, you will need to change and clean the litter box at least once a day.
Dogs, unlike cats, do their “business” outside so they will need to be taken out frequently. Adult dogs need to go out at least three times per day. Smaller breeds may need to go out more often since they have smaller bladders. If you have a fenced in yard, this can be quite easy. You can just let them out and then let them back in when they are finished. Without a fence, you will need to take the time to either walk your dog or supervise them outside. We highly recommend having them on a leash or a long chain so that you don’t lose them or risk them going after a stranger.
Expenses
Pets can be pricey. Two major things to consider when budgeting for a pet are the food and the vet visits. Now you can purchase reasonably priced food for either a dog or a cat, but we highly suggest investing in your pet’s diet. Pet food should have real meat or real meat meal. They also should not contain harmful, chemical preservatives. Read the labels just as you would when you buy food for yourself. In addition, keep an eye out for allergic reactions as your animal could be allergic to grains. You can purchase grain-free food, though it’s pricier than regular dog food.
Now, onto the veterinarian visits. According to WebMD, kittens and puppies will need vaccines every 3 to 4 weeks until they are 16 weeks old, adult pets only have to visit the vet once a year and senior pets should be seen twice a year. This isn’t too often so be sure to budget for check-ups and stay current on vaccines.
Grooming is also an expense that is important. Keep your pets groomed and their nails trimmed. This can prevent their fur from getting matted and out of control. You’ll also want their nails trimmed so that they can walk comfortably. If they do not need a professional cut, you can always bathe them at home in between to keep them fresh and clean and trim their nails, but be careful. Do it the proper way so that you don’t cut into a nerve.
Sacrifices
You may be used to crashing at a friend’s house after a night out, running to the mall after work or school or even hitting up a happy hour. Guess who would be waiting at home to be fed and/or taken outside while you go that? Your pet! You’ll either have to skip out on happy hour or run home to care for your pet and then continue with your plans. If you’re lucky, you have someone who can do that for you, but if not, you’ll have to make sacrifices.
You’ll also need to find a sitter or pay for pet boarding when you go on vacation. This isn’t something that would be in the front of your mind when thinking about getting a pet, but it is very important. Always plan ahead and have a plan B or C.
Pets can very much be like children. They can be left home alone, but they do need your time, money and most of all, your love. Please consider all of these factors before making the decision to take on this big of a responsibility and get help when you need it. This way you can enjoy having a pet and both you and your pet will be happy.
Feature Photo via We Heart It
