5 things to consider when introducing cats, dogs & other pets to the home

Kathryn Eccles has been an Ecommerce Manager with pet supplies retailer Millbry Hill for eight years. In this article, Kathryn shares the essential things that everyone should consider before getting a pet.

Thinking about expanding your brood with a new canine companion or feline friend? A cat or dog can be a wonderful addition to the family, but there’s a lot to consider before you make a decision. A pet should be a long-term commitment, and it’ll require a whole lot of time, attention, money, and love, so adopting is not a decision you should ever make lightly. I’ve shared five important things you should think over before taking the plunge.

Review your finances
First things first: pets represent quite a big financial commitment. You’ll be responsible for them for the entire duration of their lives, and that means paying for food, equipment and accessories, insurance, and vet fees for anywhere up to sixteen or seventeen years. While the cost of these might sound relatively affordable on a day-to-day basis, the figures soon stack up: a dog owner can expect to spend around £21,000 on their pooch over the course of its lifetime, according to the Money Advice Service. So, you’ll need to take a rain check on your finances and see whether a pet is something you can afford right now.

Think about your home and lifestyle
Not all homes are suitable for every kind of animal. You’ll need to think carefully about whether you’ve got the space to meet the needs of your chosen pet. For instance, if you live in a city flat with no garden, it’s probably not a great idea to bring home a large, energetic dog.

Pets also shed hair and can make a bit of a mess (especially when they’re still being toilet-trained). So, if you’re the house-proud type with pristine cream carpets and couches, then a long-haired cat or boisterous dog who loves to jump up on the furniture probably isn’t going to fit well with your lifestyle.

How much free time do you have?
In many ways, pets can be a lot like kids— they need plenty of time and attention, so you’ll need to consider how they’ll fit in with your work and family commitments. Dogs are the most time-consuming pets, as they need plenty of exercise as well as fresh air, and can’t really be left alone for longer than a few hours. You’ll also need to consider holiday arrangements: is there anyone to pet sit while you’re away? Or are you happy to stick to staycations that your pet can join you on?

If you’re not sure you have the time to devote to a dog, then a cat might be a better option. While a feline friend still needs lots of love and affection, they’re more independent than dogs and don’t require daily walking.

Are you ready for a lifelong commitment?
You’ll have your pet for the rest of its life, so you need to be 100% sure that your chosen pet is right for your family. If your children haven’t spent much time around a certain pet before, it can be helpful to get some experience first, so you can see how they interact with them.

There are lots of ways to do this: many animal shelters allow volunteers to walk dogs for free, or you could even visit a cat café. This will also flag up any potential allergy issues, which could save a lot of tears further down the line.

Consider adoption
If you think you’re ready for a pet, don’t rush out to a shop or breeder’s just yet — there are hundreds of lovable animals just waiting for the right family in shelters across the country. So, while the prospect of an adorable puppy or kitten might be appealing, you should certainly consider visiting a shelter first.

Another advantage of adopting is that, while you’ll likely have to pay a rehoming fee, it’s usually quite a bit cheaper than buying a new puppy or kitten from a breeder. Younger animals can also be much more of a handful so, if you’re not sure you’ve got the energy to chase after an energetic young pup, you might want to adopt an older dog from a rescue shelter instead.

If you think you’re ready to welcome a furry friend into your home, you’ll need to be completely certain that it’s right for you. So, consider the points I’ve raised here to work out whether a pet is going to be compatible with your family and lifestyle.