Is Your Family Ready For A Pet?

There are few sights more precious than seeing your little one fall asleep while locked in an embrace with the family pooch. But there are important decisions to make before you decide to make a pet your new family member.

A pet can be a wonderful addition to a family, whether it has four legs and a snout, a set of wings and a beak, or even gills and fins. We develop extremely special bonds with our pets; they teach us a lot about ourselves, bring us love and fun, but also need constant care.

At a certain age, many kids will want to have a pet and that can be beneficial, as mother-of-two Sarah Loke, 34, can attest to. “Having a cat and a rabbit around my children has allowed them to learn the process of caring for pets, while making them unafraid of strays and animals,” she said. However, there are considerations the whole family needs to take into account before committing to bringing an animal home.

LIFELONG INVESTMENT

As a parent, you know that introducing life into the world is a huge decision. Getting a pet is a similar commitment in the sense that you’re taking responsibility for another life. While they may not be as much of a time commitment as your children, they will certainly require a significant amount of attention and care. Pets depend entirely on their owners to be fed, bathed, vaccinated, and generally looked after. While your kids can entertain and play with them, you will remain responsible for their livelihood. A hamster or a cat may not need as much attention as a dog, but they must still be fed and taken to the vet when necessary.