Many of us can’t picture our days without a furry friend by our side, but the truth is that having a pet can change your life in ways you don’t expect
My cat is meowing on the landing, and over the past few months I’ve come to learn that this is his way of summoning me to hang out with him in the lounge. A former stray, it’s been a joy to see him transform from an anxious, mucky cat to one who curls up on my lap and demands to be brushed.
But, it has also taken a lot to adjust to the change in a way I didn’t quite expect. Even though I had a cat while growing up, welcoming him into my home as an adult was a learning curve, from the practical side of looking after a living creature to the emotional rollercoaster that has come with having a cat with health problems. So, here we’re sharing some effective ways to help you adjust when welcoming an animal into your life.
Research and plan
“‘Research, research, research’ is the best way to go,” advises psychotherapist Marian Holmes. “Make sure you know what you’re getting into, as far as you can, before you start.” This includes understanding the practicalities of looking after a particular animal – from their diet to how much attention they need.
Although every pet is unique, charities like Blue Cross have useful information about a range of animals, including cats, dogs, ferrets, hamsters, and rabbits. Timing can be important, too. If you have a holiday coming up, Marian recommends waiting until you return before getting a pet, so you’ll bond better, as well as minimise distress and disruption.
Fitting with your lifestyle
Think about what you want from being a pet parent. “For example, you may want a dog for quiet company and cuddles, in which case, a lively collie probably won’t work!” says Marian. With that in mind, consider how the pet will fit in with your lifestyle, and with anyone else in your household. If you’re someone who’s out a lot during the day, will your pet be anxious or lonely? If you go away a lot, who will look after them? Do you love the idea of taking a dog for a long walk each morning, or does that fill you with dread? Be honest with yourself about how you feel, and what’s realistic.
Understand the financial pressure
Take the time to factor in the cost of vaccinations, food, insurance, and pet-sitting services. Consider how you will approach unexpected vet bills too, and know that you can’t always predict exactly how much a pet will cost. My cat gave me some eyewatering vet bills early on, before I could get his treatment covered. The relatively inexpensive cat food I’d budgeted for soon got replaced by a special diet. When you plan financially, prepare for things to be higher than you expected – and be clear with yourself about what you can, or can’t, afford. It’s worth knowing that there are charities such as the PDSA who can help with vet care, depending on the circumstances.
Managing emotions
“Having a pet will probably be stressful for everyone at some point,” says Marian. This can be everything from worrying about their health to dealing with behaviour we might find difficult. “If it’s stressful for the human, it will be stressful for the pet too, as that will easily transfer. Use every resource you can find to get advice, share your worries, and find real-life groups that you can spend time with, people who have had experience of what you’re going through. Friends and family can also be a useful resource, especially if they have experience and are willing or able to help out practically.”
Give yourself time
In the first few weeks of having my cat, I wondered if this new way of living would ever feel normal. I didn’t want to admit it, but I felt overwhelmed. The weight of being responsible for a living, feeling creature was a lot, and there were times when even just leaving the house for half an hour felt hard.
Sensing how I was feeling, a friend said: “I felt the same in the first few weeks we had our cats – I wondered whether I’d made the right decision having them. But now I can’t imagine life without them.” And now, I completely get this. It did get easier. I learnt more about him and his personality, he’s settled in, we’ve established routines, and we’ve bonded. He is a part of my life in a wonderful way. Hopefully, with these tips, you can feel better prepared when deciding if the time is right to bring a pet into your world, too.
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