Owning pets can be a rewarding and wonderful experience, giving you the companionship and sense of purpose that you might be craving. However, owning pets has many challenges, and even the sweetest animal can frustrate and anger you. Then, here are some of the biggest issues and what you can do about them.
1.Finances
Most pets will cost you less than $100. However, essentials like food and litter can build up over time and leave you with big bills at your local pet store. Not only this, but vet bills often seem to increase every year, and you will not be able to stay away from the vet even if you have a young and generally healthy animal. Injuries and illnesses can happen at any time, and you might still have to go to your nearest clinic for vaccinations and flea treatment. You should take out a good pet insurance policy to ensure that your pet does not sink into your bank account and that you can always afford to keep it. Additionally, you should create a savings account for your pet and talk to your vet about possible payment plans and membership schemes that they have on offer that can spread the cost of treatment. You should also work out how much it is going to cost to own a pet beforehand.
2.Moving House
Your pet will often get used to the environment in which they live, and they will see this as home as much as humans do- or even more so. This is especially the case if your home is your pet’s entire world and if they do not go out of your abode. Moving house can be incredibly stressful and distressing for new pets, especially if you are moving away from the people they are used to. You might find that they act out, such as urinating where they should not, and that they struggle to settle or even run back to your old home. Luckily, there are many tips for moving with pets that can help them feel comfortable in their new home and ensure the transition is smooth for both them and you.
3.Letting Go
When you first bring a pet home, you might not want to think about what happens at the end of their lives. However, losing a pet can be a trauma that can be difficult to get over, and many people do not get pets after their beloved animal passes away. Most people feel grief akin to losing a human loved one, and you might need to take days off work and even go to therapy. However, death is part of pet ownership, and you should make sure that you are always able to talk to your vet about how you can make their last moments happy and peaceful. You might also plan how you are going to memorialize them, such as burying them with a statue or a tree in your backyard. After a while, you might decide to get another animal, but you should only do this when you feel ready. Otherwise, you might start to resent this new pet.
4.Training
Both cats and dogs need to be trained to some extent, otherwise you might find that they run riot and they dominate your family home. However, it can often be hard to find the time you need to train your pet, especially if you get them at an older age. To do this, you should seek the help of a trainer or head to puppy training classes. You might also try working with treats and dog whistles, and repeat the training steps every single day until they become a habit for your pet. If they are showing disruptive behavior, you should seek the aid of a pet behaviorist, and you should never hit them or scream at them, as this is cruel and can make the problem worse.
5.Commitment
Pets need a lot of commitment. You cannot leave them alone for too long; you need to get up to feed them and change their water, and you need to stay organized when it comes to vet appointments and grooming. You might struggle to find pet-friendly hotels when you travel, and you might need to arrange kennels or catteries for your animals. Many people compare having a pet to having a toddler. It is important that you realize the amount of commitment that is involved and that you believe that you are ready and have time to take on more responsibility.