Buying a pet is a huge undertaking, and there are a variety of things you need to think about before deciding to commit. Getting a pet can be extremely rewarding, and provide your family with love and a companion. However, a pet comes with commitment, responsibility, and financial aspects.

The last thing you want to do is invest in a pet, and make a mistake. 

So, before you commit to buying a pet, here are some of the most important things you need to consider. 

#1 Are you able to commit?

Pets are for life, and you need to be able to commit a long time to the care and wellbeing of a pet. It is important to learn about the type of animal that you are considering buying, as each pet has a different lifespan, and requires a different level of time, money and commitment. For example, if you are thinking of buying a dog or a cat, they typically live for 10-15 years and require care, attention and regular feeding. In comparison, if you are considering getting a goldfish, there will be a lot less maintenance and commitment required. 

#2 Do you have a suitable lifestyle?

If you are planning on travelling, if you like to host regular house parties, if you have a busy social life or you work long unsociable hours, then it might not be the best time to get a pet that requires more care and attention, such as a dog. Instead, you may opt for fish. If you are able to spend time at home caring for a pet, feeding it regularly, and in the case of a dog, playing with it, stimulating it and taking it for regular walks, then your options for a pet may be more flexible. It is important you take the time to consider your lifestyle as it is in the present day, as well as any future goals for the next 10-15 years. 

#3 Can you afford a pet?

It’s not just the money upfront you have to pay when investing in a pet, which can be a significant sum of money depending on the type of pet and the breed you are buying. But having a pet will also come with a range of ongoing expenses, such as food, medical expenses, vet bills, cages, tanks, food and water bowls, food, harness, collar, lead, toys, and much more. You may also have surprise expenses that you do not foresee, such as in the unfortunate event you have to pay for vet bills if it has a medical condition, illness or accident. Although you may have insurance, this can still be a lot of money to pay.

The upfront costs, and ongoing costs, will entirely depend on the type of pet you invest in.

#4 Do you or your family have any allergies?

If you or your family have any known allergies, then you cannot invest in the pet that they struggle with. If you are not aware of any allergies, then it is a good idea to spend some time with the animals that you are thinking of getting, such as at a farm, a pet shop, or a friend or neighbour's house, to ensure that your family is safe and well. Dog and cat allergies are quite common and are not easy to manage. 

#5 Do you have the time to commit?

The amount of time that you are able to commit, and are willing to commit, is important to consider before investing in a pet. This is because, although you might have the time on paper, you will need the energy every day to show up for your pet, especially if it is a pet such as a dog or a cat that requires more care and attention, than a goldfish. You will need to be able to commit the time to care for it, feed it, and even walk it. If you have other people in your home, such as a spouse or children, then you can spread the commitments between you all, which will make it less burdensome. 

You will also have to think about the requirements of your pet. For example, if you have a dog, in the initial few months of bringing them home, you will need to spend more time with them to set house rules and boundaries, train them to learn the behaviours that you desire, toilet train them, and care for them as they adjust to a new environment, new people, new food, new sleeping patterns and new rules. If you are buying a cat, a similar, consistent routine is needed so they can get to know their surroundings, and you need to train your cat to be able to go outside safely and come back. 

For animals such as dogs and cats, coming into a new home is going to be a big change, and it requires time and patience to help them settle in. This is a bigger commitment at first but will slow down once they are happy and well-trained. 

#6 Conduct thorough research 

Getting a pet may sound like a really simple task. Whether you are thinking of getting a goldfish, a cat, or a bearded dragon, doing research before investing in a new pet is extremely important, especially if you have not owned one before. Conducting your own thorough research will be able to tell you everything you need to know about the animal before you purchase it. It will help initially with how to locate trusted breeders and shops, what kind of price you should be paying, and what to look out for in a good quality pet. There are a lot of resources online, such as this page, that can help you locate the best pet for you. 

For example, if you are thinking of buying a dog, you must know what health checks the breeder should have conducted, and get a certificate, for the parents of the puppy, to ensure you are made aware of any medical conditions or diseases that pose a risk to the puppy you are purchasing. You should also check that the breeder has had the puppies checked individually for any problems by a reputable vet clinic, and they are up-to-date with all their vaccinations. You should be able to ask the breeder to provide you with copies of the health history of your puppy for full transparency, and for your own reference. The research will help you to understand what to look for, and what to ask the breeders for. It will also help you to understand what steps you need to take to best take care of the animal, which health checks you need to obtain at different times, what insurance you need, and much more. 

Research is also important to determine what the pet needs and requires. Does it require a lot of attention, regular feeding, regular cleaning, a strict routine, lots of training, walks and activities, a dark place to live, a tank filled with water, a sturdy cage? Every pet and every individual breed will have very different requirements. Specific research is required, even for a pet such as a dog. This is because breeds are unique, for example, a Border Collie will require a significant amount of exercise and stimulation, much more than an English Bulldog. Some dogs, such as a Bichon Frise, will not shed their fur, whereas a German Shepherd will. Some dogs may thrive on a raw meat diet. Every dog is extremely different, and this needs to be learned and considered before investing in a pet. This will impact your commitments, your insurance, your finances, your time, and your lifestyle. Getting a pet is no small investment, and it is important that you and your family fully understand what is involved. 

#7 Partner with trustworthy suppliers

You only want the best for your pet, to keep them happy and healthy. This means that, as part of your research, you should consider who you are going to partner with. This includes sourcing their food, pet insurance, their toys, and much more. It is also important to work with a trustworthy veterinary clinic. You will spend time there getting your pets checked for any health problems and relying on their help and advice. They are going to be the first place you go if you are experiencing any problems, or if your pet is sick or injured. You want to be able to trust the word of your vet, and know that you can count on them in a time of need. You should find a vet that is local to you, you get along well with, and they have knowledge and experience working with your specific pet. This will go a long way in keeping your pet healthy and happy. 

Buying a pet is a huge investment, commitment, and responsibility. You must consider your time, lifestyle, health, and finances before getting a pet, as well as take time to conduct thorough research and locate trusted breeders and supplies.

Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.