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There is nothing better than coming home to a happy, eager face at the end of a long workday. Having a furry companion can give you that feeling and so much more.
The love of a fluffy family member has been shown to reduce symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression, making animals the perfect housemates.
If you are considering getting a new addition to your home, here are some things to consider to ensure it is the perfect match.
Preparing Your Home
You will need to think about how your home will work for your new friend. For larger animals, you will need to think about the space available to them.
Dogs and cats will need outdoor access, ideally a secure garden. They will also need space for sleeping arrangements such as a crate or a cat bed. This does depend on your preferences as an owner, though!
Smaller creatures may need more space than you realise, and a lot more cleaning than people anticipate.
Having hamsters in a cage with a run for exercise ensures they remain happy and enriched. Appropriate bedding is also crucial here too.
Guinea pigs will need a constant supply of fresh guinea pig hay, which is tailored for their health and wellbeing, this is an example of the cleaning frequency you may need to consider as this will regularly need changing.
This will also require storage space, as you don’t want the bags cluttering up your living spaces, your animal should enhance your life and space, not make you feel messy and cramped.
Assessing Your Lifestyle And Commitment
Alongside looking at your home you need to consider the fact that, having an animal to care for is a huge commitment, and some need more attention than others.
Dogs, for example, will need to be walked according to their age and breed, so you need to make sure you can accommodate that either by working from home or hiring a dog walker.
Dog walkers can be a godsend, but they are another expense that you will need to consider.
Cats, on the other hand, are fairly independent and don’t mind if you have to go to the office all week.
As long as they are fed and have somewhere warm to sleep, they are usually happy. Although, while many cats are independent and happy to be left alone while you are busy, when you return home you will usually get a warm welcome, even if it is simply for food.
The joy of coming home and having an animal happy to see you is one of the major benefits of getting a companion.
Smaller animals such as guinea pigs and hamsters require a different type of commitment. No walking is needed, but you will need to be diligent in their hygiene needs.
Although this doesn’t take up a lot of time, it is not something you can disregard for their sake or your own.
Financial Responsibilities
There is no escaping that having a fluffy roommate comes with a financial responsibility.
Initially, you will need to find the money to buy all the necessary equipment, such as a bed, toys, a lead, a scratching post, a cage, microchipping, and so much more.
Insurance is an ongoing cost that is crucial for health reasons. Whilst you can get some cheaper policies, read the small print to make sure you understand your financial obligations.
You often find not all policies cover everything you may want covering, and depending on your animals breed you may need extra cover on something specific.
Food alone can be expensive, especially if you want a larger animal or they need a specialist diet.
You also need to think about ongoing costs such as medical care, vaccinations, hygiene products such as poo bags, grooming and enrichment.
Choosing The Right Companion For Your Family
Unfortunately, your dream companion may not fit into the makeup of your household.
For example, they may not be able to live with children or other furry friends. This is something you should talk through with the breeder or rescue shelter when you start looking.
You should also consider the age range you are willing to consider. Puppies and kittens are absolutely adorable, but they can be hard work. For families new to owning animals, a slightly older creature may work a lot better.
