Pets As Gifts: Yay or Nay?

For all you animal lovers out there, is there anything cuter than a baby animal, especially the domestic, cuddly sort? Besides being absolutely adorable, having a beloved pet often increases the production of serotonin and dopamine (two of our bodies’ happy chemicals), which is especially important as our INW weather turns cold, grey, and much less sunny. According to studies, oxytocin, another happy neurochemical, is released between humans and dogs when they gaze into each other’s eyes. And owners of fish have found that their heart rate decreases and muscles relax when watching their aquatic friends swim around their tanks. Some studies have even revealed that humans who have an animal companion live a longer life than those who don’t.

While there may not seem to be many downsides to owning a furry friend, there are some very serious points to consider before adopting or purchasing an animal, especially a dog or a cat who tend to have longer lifespans.

Cost. Nurturing any life form takes care, time, and cost, whether in the form of fresh soil and fertilizer, or food, litter, and vaccinations. Some animals, like humans, even end up with unforeseen medical problems which have to be taken care of, the same as any other family member. While it may not seem like much all at once, things add up over time, so make sure you’ve budgeted long term for the additional expenses before you adopt or shop.

Allergies. This is a personal one for this writer. My husband and I discovered after bringing our brand new baby boy home from the hospital that he was extremely allergic to our bonded pair of cats. It was a heartbreaking decision to have to say good-bye to our furry family members. Fortunately, we found a wonderful family who was able to take them together and provide a new loving home. But many aren’t as lucky and are surrendered instead to shelters with the hope someone else might take on the responsibility of rescuing them.

Time. Any new pet needs a significant time commitment for care and training, which is only the beginning. This includes a dedication spanning several years; there are even some dogs and cats who have lived upwards of 20 years! I’ve had countless conversations with pet owners who ended up surrendering their dog after a year or two because they didn’t realize going into the commitment how much time had to be dedicated in training. Depending upon the animal, time could be as little as an hour a week to clean a tank or terrarium or several hours for obedience training for a rambunctious puppy.

Emotional connection. We aren’t the only ones who get attached to our pets. Time and again, my own animals, as well as the pets of friends, have proven just how dedicated and loyal they are to their humans. Sadness and depression are easy to see in a dog’s eyes, and of course there are stores like “Homeward Bound” which detail the journeys pets have made to be reunited with their humans. Whether to a lesser or greater degree, they have emotions just like we do. And unlike humans, they don’t have our communication abilities. So how do you explain to an animal that keeping it just isn’t working out, or that the animal has grown too old for you to keep, or that your family didn’t end up enjoying the animal due to its high level of maintenance? Whatever the reason, the animal won’t understand; all they know is the human(s) they adore aren’t there anymore. The lucky ones find new families; the unlucky ones… well, know that not all shelters are the no-kill kind.

Do your homework. Small or large, short-haired or long-haired, working animal or chill pet. The varieties are nearly endless, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that different pets have different needs, and the same is true for various breeds of cats and dogs. A Pomeranian will obviously have different needs for happiness than a Husky, which has different needs than a herding dog like an Australian Shepherd or cattle dog, all of which of course will have vastly different needs than a cat, bunny, reptile, or parrot. Take the time to research what your chosen pet will need from you in the long run before bringing it home or presenting as a gift.

This article isn’t intended to make anyone who has had to surrender an animal feel guilty. It is, however, intended to caution individuals and families as we head into the next 6 months of gift-giving holidays. Please consider the seriousness of the commitment of a new animal before bringing a new puppy home for your kids on Christmas, or a kitten for your sweetheart on Valentine’s Day, or a baby bunny or duckling around Easter. In terms of breeds, if allergies aren’t an issue, please consider adopting from a shelter; most are already full to bursting with lonely animals just waiting for a forever family to love them! The Nickel’s Worth Pets section always features a couple pets from various local shelters, so skimming through the pages is a great place to start!