New additions to the family
Thinking of getting a new family member?
That's so awesome, studies have shown life with a pet can help reduce anxiety and increase resistance to illness. But have you really thought it through properly. I am talking long term. Your life will never be the same again...The average life expectancy of dogs is 10-15 years depending on breed and health factors. Double that for cats.
Triple for horses...So effectively, can you provide for the needs into the future and will your lifestyle be flexible enough to adapt as time goes on? Our own lives can change in the blink of an eye, so we need to ensure their short term and long term requirements. Nice blog HERE if you are looking into buying a horse.
My kids used to joke that I brought home all the waifs and strays, and would rarely be surprised to find a pet in the home when they came home from school…
No Katie you can’t take her home
How much does it cost to keep a pet?
Costs are a mitigating factor, not just purchase or adoption fees but also regular and emergency veterinary care, boarding and kennels, dog walkers, pet sitters, farrier, livery, toys and enrichment, food, bedding, pet insurance, grooming and regular husbandry costs, training, behaviour should your pet develop a behavioural problem...the list could be quite extensive!
Unlike humans, most animals have a relatively short lifespan and their life stages can directly affect our lives. A quick perusal of the interwebs showed the average lifetime costs to be around £20,000. Yes that's what I thought too.
I could have bought my house and probably one for my kids too if I didn't have animals, but I wouldn't change a thing believe me, they give me so much more than I do them. And they are the experts about themselves, right!
Other considerations
Other factors to consider are lifestyles and hobbies not just in the present but in 3, 5, 7 years time, breed and species specifics such as exercise, existing pets and family members needs, where you live and how that impacts on the needs of a pet can all influence your decision.
But it doesn't have to be a minefield! Honest. Professionals like myself and others can help you make the choice, right from choosing a breed, breeder to choosing the pet and provide support beyond into old age.
Personally, I feel it's better to get some unbiased support from a suitably qualified and experienced source BEFORE making such a life changing decision. It can really help prevent you from buying unwittingly from a puppy farm and the inherent issues often associated with puppy farm dogs and cats, often ending in heartache and a big vet bill. A stitch in time and all that...
But if you already have a new addition, be it human, canine, feline or other then we can help with those initial worries and issues that can and do crop up. There are a variety of industry organisations out there with members who can steer you in the right direction and provide you with the right advice. There is a lot of conflicting information out there so getting help from one or two credible sources may be better than lots of different information form various people and places. But if you are experiencing problems try not to panic, find a professional and best of luck with your new additions!
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