When Are You Ready For A Pet- Questions To Ask

Do you have time for a pet?

No matter what kind of pet you’re thinking of getting, all animals need love and attention, but some definitely need more than others. Pets like snakes and hamsters may only need 20 minutes or so of handling a day, but a dog or a cat needs a couple hours of quality play time every day.

Are you ready to accept responsibility for a pet?

Adopting or buying a pet is a big responsibility, and it’s important to talk with your parents before to find out which responsibilities will be yours and what things they will help out with. Most dogs need to be walked 4 or 5 times a day, and they also need to be fed once or twice a day. With cats, there’s also the litter box that needs scooping. With hamsters and other rodents, their cage needs cleaning. All of these are things you need to talk with your parents about before getting a pet to make sure you can provide them with proper care.

Where will the pet be kept?

If you’re thinking about adopting a pet that lives in a cage or tank (Bunnies, Rats, Hamsters, Snakes, Lizards, Fish) where is that tank going to go? Will you keep it in your room? Do you have siblings who might want it in theirs? Keep in mind that pets like hamsters are active at night, so if you’re going to keep their cage in your room, are you going to be okay with the sounds of them running around, eating and playing while you sleep?

Can your family afford the ongoing cost of having a pet?

It’s a hard conversation to have, but pets cost money beyond just the initial price for adoption. The reality is that not every family can afford a dog that needs shots and vet visits multiple times a year (this can cost hundreds of dollars). But that doesn’t mean you can’t have a pet! Do your research into what type of pet could fit not only your family’s lifestyle, but their budget as well. (Fish and hamsters are great pets that can be cared for well on a budget).

It all comes down to what type of pet is right for you?

In the end all of these questions are really dependent on what type of pet you’re thinking about getting. As much as you can work to make your life suitable for having the type of pet you want, you also might think about the type of pet that suits the life you already live!