With Christmas upon us, a great deal of families are considering to enlarge their families with a new pet. And while there are many people in the world who think of their pets as cherished members of the family, there are others who simply view them as pieces of property. With that said, is it a good idea to give someone a pet for Christmas ?
A Cat or Dog for Christmas
- The Appeal of Pets
Puppies and kittens can be extremely appealing when they are small, and many people are drawn to them like magnets. But it’s important to remember that these baby animals grow up and will depend on you for quite some time. Ask yourself if you are ready for this kind of commitment. If you’re considering giving a pet to your children, chances are that you are the one who will end up taking care of the animal. If you are thinking about giving a pet to a significant other, make sure your partner knows how to take care of animals and is aware of the commitment that comes with owning a pet.
- The Needs of Puppies and Kittens Puppies and kittens need a lot of attention when they are small. They might have to be house trained and need proper exercise, good nutrition, play time and plenty of rest. Kittens and puppies also need vaccinations and worming procedures. So, if you consider getting a pet for Christmas, you should also consider getting pet health insurance and acquiring toys and other accessories. Kittens and puppies are not very different from human babies in the respect that they are oblivious to dangers. In other words: they are quite accident-prone, so you need to watch them a lot. They might also have more of a need to relieve themselves, so be aware that you might have to clean up after them quite often within the first couple of months.
- Children and Animals
Animals are wonderful companions for children and many studies have shown that pets can have a tremendous effect on the well-being of children. Taking care of a pet can also teach children about responsibility and what it means to take care of another living being. Nevertheless, be aware that your children may not be able to provide proper care in all respects and that a large part of the responsibility may fall on your shoulders.
Additionally, in the case of small children, there have been many situations where children have aggravated puppies or kittens and the animals lashed out by biting or scratching the children. Parents need to realize that children must be taught to respect pets.
- When the Pet Grows Up
As stated above, all baby animals grow up. Some of them become quite large, so before you decide to give a kitten or puppy for Christmas, do some research on our breed selector, how they will evolve and what they require when they are older. Some pets may grow to be larger than expected, while others may get hyper. That’s why it’s important to get informed before you make the choice to give someone a pet for Christmas. Which type of pet or breed suits the lifestyle of your family best? Would you be able to cope with a high maintenance pet ? Which animals are prone to diseases or illnesses ? Should I get pet insurance?
- Pets for Christmas
In many cases, buying someone a pet for Christmas is a great thing. A lot of people carefully think about what animals need and how to care for them. In this care, buying a family member or a friend a pet for Christmas is a great idea. People should be absolutely sure though, before they make the purchase, that the recipient really wants a pet. Giving someone a surprise puppy for Christmas (or other pet) when you are not completely sure how the other person will react, might not be such a good idea. So be 100% sure that the person you want to give a pet to has expressed a wish to own one before you consider this type of Christmas present.
