We all know the phrase, ‘A pet is not just for Christmas.’ It’s something we all agree with, and count on - you shouldn’t just bring an animal into your home for a couple of weeks and then turf them out again! It’s irresponsible, and it makes you a very bad pet owner.
But when your children are adamant that all they want for Christmas is a four legged friend of their own, it can be hard to adhere to the above adage. And if your kids have been asking for years now for a pet of their own, it gets harder and harder to keep on saying no!
So, if you’re finally in the headspace of saying yes to your family’s wants, let’s go through a few points about how to responsibly adopt an animal during the holiday season.
Make Sure Your Family is Serious
The first thing to do, before you even look up what kind of pet you should get, is to ensure that your family is serious about bringing in and taking care of a pet between them. Looking after a new pet takes a lot of time and effort, and if you don’t have the kinds of schedules that keep up with these demands, it wouldn’t be right to bring an animal into your household.
Choose the Right Pet
The pet that your children want might not be the best option for them right now; if they want to get a big dog, and you live in a small house or cramped apartment, adding another living creature to your living situation just wouldn’t be practical! Instead, you might want to go for something smaller, to ensure you can answer your children’s wishes, as well as maintain your home space.
Something like a gerbil or a hamster, or even a small tank of fish, might be a more viable option for you. Of course, this still means you’ll need to take on the responsibility of care, but with much more flexibility on your part.
Know Your New Pet’s Needs
Of course, now that you’ve got a new pet, it’s time to buy them everything they could need to stay healthy and happy in your care. Things like a bed for them to sleep in, or a collar and leash for a dog, or litter tray for a cat, could be other Christmas presents, all leading up to the main feature of the pet themselves!
You’ll need to shop for the right food and treats for your new pet too. Make sure you visit sites such as healthy-chews.com, to ensure you have food options with organic products and good reputations to consider, as well as a degree of affordability. Christmas can get expensive for finding dog and cat food, and even bird or hamster food, and you’ll need to take some time shopping around.
Getting a pet at Christmas might seem a little shady, but it’s something you can do if you’re serious!
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