Owning a pet can be an exciting and rewarding experience but adding a new furry member to the family is something that shouldn’t be done on a whim.
Impulse buying is putting the health and welfare of millions of pets at risk, according to new research from PDSA.
The latest PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Report reveals that over five million UK pet owners (24%) undertake no research at all before taking on a new pet*. This means that many do not know enough about what’s needed to ensure their pet’s health and welfare.
To help would-be pet owners PDSA has put together some top tips to help make that all-important decision.
Rebecca Ashman, PDSA Vet, says: “Getting a pet is not a decision to be taken lightly. Pets take time, commitment and significant emotional and financial investment. It’s important to research carefully the pet you’re thinking of taking on to ensure you’re able to provide all that they need. The best place to get friendly, knowledgeable advice is to pop to your local vet practice and speak to the vet or vet nurse.”
Many people underestimate the cost of ownership, with around 2.6 million owners (12%) believing their pet would only cost up to £500 over their entire lifetime. In fact, a dog typically costs between £21-33,000 over their lifetime, a cat £17-24,000 and a rabbit £10-15,000. Bear in mind too that rabbits should always be kept in pairs so this figure would double.
First, consider your lifestyle – are you capable of taking on the responsibility of a pet? Think of the acronym P.E.T.S.K:
Place – is the place where you live suitable for a pet?
Exercise – how much exercise could you give your pet?
Time – how much time could you spend with your pet?
Spend – could you afford the lifetime expense of your preferred pet?
Knowledge – Do you understand the 5 welfare needs of your potential pet?
Considering the 5 welfare needs of different species is essential in making sure they will have a long, happy life. Do you have a suitable place for them to live? Can you provide the correct diet? Will they have opportunities to show normal behavior? Will they have appropriate companionship? Can you do everything possible to keep them in good health? It’s a legal requirement for pet owners to provide for the five welfare needs of their pet and answer “Yes” to all of these questions.
Owning a pet means making sure they’re kept healthy and protected from preventable illnesses. Pets should be vaccinated, neutered, microchipped, treated regularly for fleas and worms, and receive veterinary treatment when needed. Pet insurance can provide a welcome safety net for covering much of the cost of potentially expensive treatments if your pet becomes ill or injured.
It’s important to consider how you will socialise your new pet, gradually introducing them to new situations, sights, sounds and smells. For families with children, teach them how to interact correctly with the pet; not disturbing them when sleeping and eating, how to approach them and not to pull their tail or ears. By interacting with your pets gently and sympathetically, and discussing their needs with your children, both pets and children alike should benefit from the experience. But remember, even well-socialised pets should never be left unsupervised with children.
For more pet care tips log onto www.pdsa.org.uk/pethealth. If you’re thinking about getting a new pet then why not take our ‘Get PetWise’ quiz to find out which pet is most suitable for your lifestyle? Just visit www.pdsa.org.uk/getpetwise
PDSA is the UK’s leading vet charity. We’re on a mission to improve pet wellbeing through prevention, education and treatment. Funding from players of People’s Postcode Lottery helps us reach even more pet owners with vital advice and information.
To help would-be pet owners PDSA has put together some top tips to help make that all-important decision.