Should Pets Be Gifts?
Finding the right present can feel like finding a needle in a haystack; frustrating and im-paw-sible. Those floppy-eared, four-legged fur balls always seem to make it under some trees, making kids and adults give some squeals of delight come Christmas morning. But are they really the needle in the haystack? Cute little puppies may look like the perfect gift, but should they be a gift you should be giving? We look at five reasons why giving a pet for Christmas may actually be a huge no-no for the holidays.
1. Pets are a commitment. Yes, they look so cute wrapped in a bow or popping out of a box on Christmas morning, but does your recipient have the commitment needed to give to their new fur-iend? Do they have the time and energy needed to make this new relationship work? Because that’s what pets are, they’re work. A fun kind of work, but definitely work nonetheless; so make sure your recipient is willing to put in the commitment needed to keep the new pet flourishing.
2. This ‘free gift’ comes with hidden fees. Having a pet isn’t the most expensive thing in the world, BUT it does come with some pet fees that need to be handled on a yearly basis. Per year, pets can cost anywhere from $700 to $1100. The hidden fees for that free gift can include annual vet visits, any emergency visits, food, accessories and any training or classes you may want to try out. If someone isn’t ready to spend that money, or even have enough to budget it into their cash flow at the moment, this free gift can turn into a mess.
3. A child’s attention span is limited. If you’re thinking about giving a child a fun furry surprise under the tree, you may want to think a little more on the subject. A child’s attention span is very limited, as in they don’t stick with something very long and need to be moving to a new activity after a couple of minutes. Once they lose interest in the pet and no one else can give the attention needed, off to the shelter they go. We need to remember that pets are living breathing things, not toys. So maybe a nice new stuffed animal dog would better suit your child for the moment to help keep shelters from overflowing after the holidays.
4. The holidays are already overwhelming enough. With all the hustle and bustle of the season, is it the right time to bring in a new pet? Everything is already overwhelming - the scents, the food, the people - and bringing in a new animal to the mix can create a stressful environment for them. If there are too many people, if there is too much going on and they’re being introduced to a new environment, these can all be stressors for your new ball of fluff. Stressors on your dog can also mean behaviors that aren’t so nice can come out and the holidays are not the best time for that to happen.
5. There should be no surprises when you’re adding to your life. Adding a furry bundle of joy to your life can be amazing and fun, but it should also be done through lots of discussion and during the right time for you and your family. There needs to be a sense of commitment from everyone who will be involved with the new pet along with a resounding yes to the investment of time and energy involved too. Schedules will be rearranged, routines will be changed and new flexibility is needed; definitely something that should not be a surprise.
Before you give into the puppy dog eyes and think that they will ‘just love this,’ put a little extra thought into who the gift is going to and will they be able to give the pet a good, lasting home. Shelters across the US find themselves full of ‘present animals’ a couple months after the holidays; don’t be one of those statistics. Make this decision as a family, take the whole family along to pick out a pet and make sure you’re committed for the long haul.
We want to make sure the holidays are a happy and jolly time for the pet owners of our community, so when it comes to taking care of your pet during the overwhelming season why not call your local dog walker for help! Going Mutts would love to make sure your dog is walked and checked-up on while you crank out those late office hours or are away for a holiday trip. Contact us on our website OR drop us an email at info@goingmuttspetservices.com to see how we can help you and your furry friend.
