Littlemummy.com

Guest post by Jacq

Has your child or Other Half has ground you down with their persistent pleading for a living, breathing ‘something’ to share their world with? You haven’t been able to fob them off with a tamagotchi or Zhu Zhu pet, so in the end you?ve relented and uttered that un-retractable word-’yes’.

If you have no real idea what kind of pet would fit best in your family, maybe you are half-inclined to let the others decide what to get. After all, they’ve promised they will do ALL the feeding and cleaning and walking, so how bad could it be to let them select the beast they will be caring for? Actually. it can be pretty bad. Because chances are, you’ll be the one scrubbing out that cage by the end of the first month.

Even if the child-owner remains reasonably enthusiastic, they will probably be at school much of the time and are going to need help to clean out, restrain or possibly even capture their pet at some point.

So Rule Number One is don’t agree to anything that you can’t or aren’t prepared to deal with on your own. If you are terrified of snakes and your daughter wants a boa constrictor, just say no. If you find there are not enough hours in the day, and your son wants a puppy, just say no. If you are allergic to cats and your OH wants a kitty, think very seriously before you say anything but no.

Because, as a vet, my heart just sinks when I see someone with a pet they didn’t really want. And when that someone is a mother, with enough on her plate already, and the pet requires time and energy that she just doesn’t have, my heart ends up somewhere near my trainers because this combination is a disaster just biding its time.

Rule Number Two is shop within your budget. The ugly truth is that pets cost money, and sometimes they can cost a lot of money.

As a rule, large breeds generally cost more than smaller ones, and more unusual species will cost more than more common ones.

It’s not just the initial costs of your new pet and necessary equipment, but the ongoing costs that can mount up. You may pay nothing for that cute little kitten or puppy from the free ads, but food for the first year will cost between ?100-500. And then, on top of that, you have to fork out for vaccinations, parasite control and neutering, non-routine vet visits and insurance. It’s not uncommon to spend over ?1000 on a dog or cat in their first year of life.

If you are truly struggling to make ends meet, then be realistic; these pets are probably out of your budget.

Small furries, such as hamsters, guinea pigs and rats are more affordable but require specialist housing that requires an initial outlay. Second hand cages can often be found selling for reasonable amounts on a well-known auction site or can be acquired for free through a recycling site. Don’t forget to factor in costs such as food and bedding.

Fish are often cited as a ‘cheap pets’ but set up costs can be high and the potential for teaching your child about ‘the circle of life’ is high. Fish bowls can seem an economical option but you’ll probably end up spending more replacing fish than you would on a cheap tank and filter. Again Freegle can be a good source of second hand equipment.

If you decide you’d like a rabbit or bird, or something rarer, it’s worthwhile looking at your proximity to a vet that specialises in the desired species. A lot of vets know a little about less common pets these days, but if your pet becomes very poorly, then you will need a specialist. And of course, specialists cost money.

If you are totally skint but set on getting a pet anyhow, then a cheap option is one of the mini beast kits. Your child can raise and care for ladybirds or butterflies, then release them as adults, with very little parental supervision. And if you want something that will stay with you for longer, then stick insects, hissing cockroaches or snails are also available. (but do remember Rule Number One)

Rule Number Three is be realistic about the free time and energy you have available to take care of a pet.

Most pets need some attention every day, even if it’s just to check they are alive and kicking. The least demanding need regular feeding and mucking out; the most demanding require varying degrees of human company and exercise as well. If you work full time and the house is empty for most of the day, then don’t get a highly sociable animal like a dog or parrot.

Sometimes company can be provided by another member of the same species, e.g, rabbits and some rodents can live happily in small groups but still require human attention if you want them to become tame. Fish can again be a good choice when time is short.

If your life is so crazy that you already need a couple of extra hours a day, don’t even think about getting a dog. Dogs really need at least an hour of your life every single day. And puppies need much, much more than this if they are going to become good canine citizens with acceptable doggy manners. If you are parenting young children already, you may find the similarities of discipline, misbehaviour and toilet training simply overwhelming.

Rule Number Four involves space, as in how much do you have? If you have a tiny flat or house, you are going to find a large dog, or something that requires an enormous tank or cage, intrusive.

Some pets can be kept outside if you have a garden. You could keep fish in a pond, or have a guinea pigs or rabbits in a hutch and run. Some birds can be kept in an outdoor aviary. Bear in mind that animals that live outside the house are rarely as tame as house pets.

People without gardens do own dogs, but IMO you really need one. Toilet training a puppy is difficult enough with a garden, and a secure garden can provide an exuberant canine with a change of scenery and both mental and physical exercise. Dogs are very hard on gardens, so if you get a puppy you should be prepared to sacrifice your flowerbeds and lawn for the first few years of its life at least.

The majority of people spend more time researching which washing machine to buy, than they do what pet to get. They go for looks and status, rather than considering the lifestyle requirements and purpose of the animal; no wonder animal shelters all over the country are full of unwanted and surrendered pets.

If you are realistic about what kind of pet will fit in with your family and lifestyle, you will find pet ownership to be the rewarding experience it should be.

After all, a pet makes a house a home.