Pets can be beloved family members, no matter what age you are. Dogs who are fed well and trained properly can offer unconditional love, as well as a layer of protection from strangers. Cats are more independent, but they’re not above showing affection – they know which side their bread is buttered! And if you love birds, having a conversation with an intelligent parrot or enjoying the trill of a canary can be a real joy.
You might live alone, and yearn for the companionship of a pet. It’s nice to be welcomed when you come home after a long day, but owning a pet has its challenges and responsibilities too.
You might want to consider the pros and cons of owning a pet before you go to the pet store or animal shelter. Here are some benefits:
Relieve stress with a pet
Companionship has a good effect on your stress levels. Having your dog greet you when you come home, stroking a purring cat on your lap, or a funny argument with that parrot can beat loneliness and depression. Science backs this up – hormones associated with stress drop (along with your blood pressure), and those like oxytocin (linked to happiness) rise. Then there are endorphins and dopamine – you don’t have to go jogging, just spend a few minutes with a domestic pet.
You don’t even need a dog or a cat to get the benefits – try watching fish in a fish tank and see how calming that is – it’s even better than meditating!
A pet takes you out of yourself
Caring for a pet takes empathy – regular feeding and grooming helps you focus on something other than yourself. You learn to recognise signs of hunger or discomfort in your pet, and take steps to soothe and help it. With some pets you’re more likely to be sociable; you can take a purebred cat to shows, and mingle with other cat fanciers. Dogs need walking, so not only do you get more exercise, you also meet other dog-walkers and owners.
All pets, including birds, rodents or fish, will strengthen your immune system and help you learn new things through their day-to-day care.
There are downsides to owning a pet
Pets aren’t only cute and cuddly – they can take some serious maintenance as well. Here are some issues you may face.
Cleaning up the messes
Every pet has accidents, and they all need regular grooming (just like you need a regular shower). Pet urine and faeces can do terrible damage to your home if they aren’t dealt with immediately. Bedding needs regular washing, cats and dogs may need flea collars and regular brushing, birds need their cages cleaned and fish tanks require regular maintenance. Without that care, your pet will suffer and may fall ill, and your dwelling will – well, pong, to be honest!
Vet bills
When your pet falls ill, unless you’re a vet yourself you’ll have to take it to a professional for treatment. Depending on the problem, vet bills can get fairly steep. Plus there are all the regular things you need to see to – vaccinations, de-worming and flea treatments.
License fees
You may need to register your pet – a dog especially – to legally own it. That means a fee, a collar with an identification tag, and often relicensing annually.
Paying for any damage
Pets can damage property, and if it’s someone else’s you must pay for the damage. For instance, if you live in a rural area and your dog gets out and injures or kills livestock, it may have to be destroyed and you’ll still be up for costs incurred, including the vet bill for the dog’s euthanasia.
Holiday care
When you have a pet, you aren’t free to lock up and leave on a trip. You need to organise its care, whether that’s someone coming in to feed it, or a stay at a pet motel. If you don’t have family or friends available to look after your pet, you could face a hefty bill for boarding.
What about your lifestyle?
Keep in mind your mobility, your living space and your lifestyle. These are important aspects to consider before you adopt a pet.
Your rental may not allow pets
Before you adopt, check with your landlord. When you think of the cleaning and care required, it’s no surprise that many landlords don’t allow their tenants to keep pets. Even if you’ve been diligent in your care, you could have a carpet thick with dropped fur that’s almost impossible to remove.
Your finances may be tight
Keeping a pet doesn’t just run to pet food. There are vet costs, grooming, licensing and any damage your pet may cause, to your own dwelling or another’s property. Check your financial position carefully, and find out what you can afford. If a dog or cat is out of reach, a fish tank is a cheaper option.
Your lifestyle may have no spare time
Pets take care and attention, and if you still work, or you’re involved with community activities, you may be too busy to fit in a dog or cat. Leave them alone for too long and they can get anxious, destructive or despondent (just like people!) If you expect to travel for weeks at a time, but you still want a pet when you’re at home, try adopting fish, who will be fine as long as they get fed.
If you have mobility issues, keeping up with the care of a dog or cat could be just too hard. Again, a fish tank could be the answer, or smaller animals like guinea pigs. They’re easier to care for and feed, and can still give you satisfaction and companionship.
Your life can be better with a pet
As long as you’re aware of the costs and responsibilities of adopting a pet, it could be just the right thing for you. Choosing one you can afford, and making time for the care and attention it needs can take you out of yourself, relieve stress and promote happiness. Make sure your landlord allows pets, research your local bylaws about licensing, and check that your financial position can cope with any extra costs involved.
Once you’ve weighed up the pros and cons, and you’ve decided to adopt, head out to your nearest SPCA – there are plenty of potential darlings looking for a home.