Have you been thinking about getting a family pet recently but you’re not sure if you’re ready? This is something that a lot of families go through because it’s a huge decision to make. It’s not something that can be done lightly, and it takes a lot of thinking about and discussing as a family unit. But, how do you really know if you’re ready to have a family pet? Well, the short answer is that you won’t be 100% sure until you get one and try it out, but there are some signs that will help you make a choice. In this article, we’re going to be looking at some of these signs, so keep reading if you would like to find out more.
Your Kids Keep Asking
If your kids keep asking you for a pet, it might be time to give in and get one. Of course, you need to make sure that your children understand how much work a pet is and that they have to love it all the time etc. As long as you sit down and explain everything to your children about what it’s like to own a pet, and they still want to have one, this is a good indication of whether or not your family is ready. Do be careful though because some kids think that they are willing to do whatever it takes when they have a pet, but when the reality comes they aren’t. It’s in this case that you have to make them do it anyway so that the pet is properly looked after.
You Are Financially Able
Sometimes, pets can cost a family a lot of money, and if you don’t have the spare finances right now, then it isn’t the right time. You need to be able to afford food for whatever animal you decide to buy, then you need to be able to have medical insurance in case something goes wrong, and it gets sick and so many other expenses. There are toys for it to play with, and depending what animal you buy, you may also need somewhere for them to live. Some animals don’t live out in the house with the rest of the family and need a specific environment for them to thrive in.
If you aren’t sure whether or not you can afford a pet, go through your budget, look at how much an animal typically costs to keep and then work it out. You may be able to afford it easily, and you may not be able to find the room in your budget right now. Keep in mind that your financial situation can always change, so even if you’re not stable financially now, at some point, you will be.
You Want A Pet
If you want a pet, then this is a good indication that your family is ready for one. The pet should ideally be wanted by everyone in the house to ensure that it receives the right amount of love and care. It’s not always easy to manage having a pet, having children, working and everything else that you’ve got to do, but if you want one, there is no real reason to hold back. Just make sure that you get something that you want, rather than just any pet. Getting a pet simply for the sake of it doesn’t make much sense when you think about it, so take your time and ensure that this is what you really want.
Willing To Share Responsibilities
Have your children said anything about sharing responsibilities? We touched on this briefly above, but sometimes kids don’t realize just how much work it is to have a pet. You need to make sure that they understand what they are going to have to do and why it’s important that they do these things. In fact, you can even create a chore wheel of sorts, and then show them what they are going to have to do each day. If they agree and they promise to do what’s on the chart, then it might be time to get a pet for your family! If not, and your kids don’t seem to be interested in helping out at all, then now is not the right time.
Consider Which Pet
Have you thought about what pet you may want to get? Of course, you’ve got the basics such as a cat or a dog, and these are wonderful pets! But, there are more animals out there for you to choose from. For example, you could look at getting something like a bearded dragon or a lizard if you want something that is slightly lower maintenance than a dog. When it comes to choosing a pet, you need to think about how much work each animal is going to be. If you go to work and the kids go to school, your pet needs to be able to be on their own. Dogs aren’t particularly good at this, so if nobody is going to be home through the day, you might want to stay away from this choice.
Talk to your kids and see what they want as well. You don’t want to make the decision on your own, it needs to be something that you do as a family. Everyone should agree by the end which animal you want to welcome into your home as part of your family so be sure to go through all the pros and cons with your children of each animal. It’s important that everyone understands why you all came to that decision to ensure everyone is happy with it.
We hope that you have found this article helpful, and now see some of the ways that you can know if your family is ready for a pet. Do not get a pet if it’s just something that is going to be loved at Christmas or on a birthday. Pets are forever, not just for occasions, so make sure this is kept in mind throughout the decision making process.
