Some are dreaming of a dog or cat for years, and when they finally get a pet, they start to regret their dream: some owners aren’t ready for the responsibility, and others simply can’t get along with their pets.
If your girlfriend keeps asking for a cute pup, but you’re not sure she’ll manage, browse through our list before making the final decision. Mind that the following aspects might also concern you one way or another.
You’ll have a daily regime to stick to
Especially if you’re going to buy a dog. You’ll have to walk it twice a day, play, and, train it for at least half an hour daily. And this isn’t enough for some breeds – for example, peppy huskies need at least three, and preferably, four or five hours of active exercise per day. Otherwise, the dog will be bored, bite the furniture and walls, and may even become depressed or fall ill.
Most “ordinary” dogs are OK with shorter walks, but this still means that you have to get up earlier and return home in the evening, even if it means missing a good party (unless, of course, you have previously asked someone to look after the dog). Things are simpler with cats, but they also need to follow the feeding and playing regimes. While dumping a bunch of dry food and leaving for several days may be convenient for humans, this won’t help the well-being of the pet.
And also change some habits
Some believe that only the birth of a child can truly change a life, and a pet is only a preparation. But if you reason this way, it’s better to think again before getting a cat or a dog: to take care of it, you’ll have to change not only the schedule but also the habits. You’ll have to adapt your living space, especially before the pet has mastered the basics of training: food can’t be left on the table, and garbage bags will have to be hidden in a bucket with a lid; otherwise, you’ll be finding scraps rolling around the place in the morning, and the dog might even get poisoned. If you’re going to get a bird, then you may have to rearrange the furniture: the cage should stand against the wall but not the window.
By the way, a pet can be a perfect indicator of how responsible your partner will be in a more serious relationship. Unwillingness to sacrifice personal time in favor of someone you love is one of the red flags to notice before starting a relationship with a girl.
Your monthly expenses will grow
If you want to buy a thoroughbred dog or cat, then it’s better to look for an animal from a trusted breeder, and this isn’t cheap. If you take the animal from the shelter, then, of course, you’ll not have to pay for the purchase (but it would be nice to donate to the volunteers anyway), but this won’t save you from further expenses.
Monthly expenses will certainly increase: pets need good food, collars, leashes, and toys. If you want to attend training classes or turn to a zoopsychologist, you’ll have to pay as much as for a good human specialist. By the way, it’s better not to skip such consultations since, with improper upbringing, both the pet and the owner will be unhappy.
Improper training can harm your pet
The psyche of animals is complicated, so if you’re not serious about raising a pet, you can ruin your life for yourself and it. There are many subtleties in the humane training and training of dogs and cats, so you have to do self-education, and even better – go to special courses.
For example, many owners, out of ignorance, begin to calm and pet an animal that’s frightened of something, thereby only reinforcing the belief that it’s necessary to be afraid of what has happened. Another example is those “guilty pet” videos that people around the world so are touched by. In fact, scolding animals for what they did some time ago is pointless: educational (not equally cruel) measures work only if you caught the pet at “the crime scene.” Even small parrots have a delicate internal organization: for example, it’s not recommended to put them in a round cage, so as not to deprive them of a sense of security.
More tips for pet owners:
3 Tips for Being a Responsible Pet Owner
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