This is the first part of a four-part series. Over the next four articles I will provide some information to help you decide if it’s the right time to get a fur-baby, and the way to help you and your newest family member to get acquainted with one another.

Research

Pets aren’t for everyone, getting a pet before you’re ready would be unwise, unfair and potentially disastrous for the animal and yourself. If you’re in a good position to provide a loving home to a pet, it will become one of life's most rewarding experiences.

Having a pet can bring a positive outcome to your lifestyle and general well-being, such as:

They make excellent companions - They will be there for you and genuinely offer a sense of understanding and empathy which is unmatched by their human counterparts.
Help you keep physically fit – Dogs require daily exercise and provide great companionship on a walk or run. In a study published in the journal BMC Public Health, dog owners on average walked 22 minutes more per day compared to people who didn't own a dog.
Help your mental state - A variety of studies and research has shown that simply being together with your pet can decrease cortisol levels which is a stress-producing hormone and can increase oxytocin and dopamine levels which is stress-reducing hormones.
You to Become More Social – when taking your dog for a walk, people will typically approach you and begin talking and asking questions. Just like that, you have found people with similar interests.
Great for the kids – Kids and their relationships with pets is truly unique and special. It teaches them structure, routine, empathy and responsibility. This builds great character in your children.
Entertaining - Pets are always doing something funny and silly. Laughter has been shown to improve your mood and reduce stress. Whether it be watching your cat chase a speck of dust, or your dog running around in circles.

Sharing your home with a fur-baby is a hugely rewarding experience. With the right preparation and a bit of research, you’ll soon be on your way to sharing your love with your new furry family member!

Some things to consider:

Your available space inside and outside.
Time for training, attention and exercise.
Costs of healthcare and food.
Your current household, including any existing pets you may have.
Your work routine, travel plans and general lifestyle.

A few important questions to ask yourself:

1. How much time can you commit to you fur baby?

Dogs - Some dog breeds require more exercise than others, you will need to have at least one hour a day for walking, and you must be able to commit to training them as well.

Rabbits, Mice and Guinea Pigs - They need daily handling, especially from children, and cleaning out their cages every few days.

Fish - Fish require a lot of attention, whether it be from tank and temperature maintenance to feeding and regular cleaning.

Cats - The best pet for a busy family is a cat. Most breeds are pretty self-sufficient - as long as you provide food, water, toys and a cosy bed, they will be happy.

2. Will Your Pet Fit Your Lifestyle?

Choosing a pet based on how popular or cute it is, is probably one of the most common yet the worst decisions people make. All too often these pets are abandoned or dropped off at an animal shelter when they show themselves to be too high energy, too needy, too intolerant … the list is endless.

Please do your research and choose wisely. Speak to veterinarians, join Facebook groups, google and research the breed you are interested in and be open to changing your mind if it doesn’t fit your ability to provide for its temperament and needs.

3. Is Your Home Pet-Friendly?

It is very important to go through your home now before you choose a pet and have a look at possible hazards you may have such as; what cabinets are at pet level, counter tops, chemicals that are laying around, electric cords and curtain cords. Check your home and yard for plants that may be toxic. See my blog on Common plants toxic to dogs and cats for more information.

4. Are you prepared to take time off?

You will need to help them cope with other dogs, strangers and other animals so taking a few days off when you first get your pet can help them settle into their new home, but don’t expect your pet to learning everything within that time. Remember young animals can be surprisingly full-on, people underestimate the work and time involved with house and obedience training, not to mention the sleepless nights.

Things get a bit trickier when you are bringing a new pet into a home with other pets. You will need to make sure that your current pets don’t feel threatened enough to strike out at your newest addition to the family.

5. Do you have an idea of the initial and ongoing costs before committing?

Working out how much a pet will cost you can be difficult, but it is important to get some sort of idea, especially as many people underestimate how expensive they can be. When you first get a pet, besides the cost of the pet itself, you will also need to buy accessories, toys and don’t forget the cost of vaccinations and other routine health care.

On-going expenses will include food and pet insurance, because animals are good at getting themselves into unexpected situations.

The second part of this series we will be looking at the next step, ‘Where can you get you furry friend from?’