During the summer holidays, many families are tempted to get a pet since children can spend more time at home to help their furry friend settle in.
But this is also a period when shelters see more owners giving up their animals. Some people impulsively get a pet before fully understanding the responsibility involved.
Purchasing or adopting an animal should never be the first step of pet ownership. The journey begins much earlier as you do research and discuss the new responsibilities with everyone in your home.
Choosing the right pet is a big decision. To figure out what is best for your family, you need to understand what each type of pet needs.
What do different animals need?
Dogs require lots of attention and frequent walks, and they often love receiving gentle pats and scratches.
On the other hand, cats in Hong Kong typically live indoors and need less time and space compared with dogs. They also have specific needs for play, rest and affection.
A cat’s brain has a smaller prefrontal cortex compared with the brains of humans and dogs. This part is responsible for empathy and social bonding. Since cats are naturally solitary animals with less complex social interactions, it makes sense that they have a smaller prefrontal cortex.
If you are deciding between a dog and a cat, consider this question: would you enjoy daily dog walks after finishing homework, or do you prefer the quiet companionship of a cat while you read?
Even for pets that are easier to care for, such as fish and hamsters, they have unique needs when it comes to their living spaces, food and sleeping habits. Do your research thoroughly to make sure that you can provide for all of these needs.
Another crucial step to consider is where you will get your pet. While it can be convenient to buy the exact one you want, many breeders do not treat the animals well. Instead, visit an animal shelter. They have many animals waiting for a chance to join a loving home after being abandoned or surviving on the streets.
Are you ready?
Even within the same species or breed, every animal has its own personality. For example, some dogs may be couch potatoes who want to snuggle all day, but others are full of energy and always ready to play.
Because of how unique each animal can be, many shelters arrange meetings between potential adopters and pets to make sure everyone gets along. You can also consider fostering the animal to understand it better before committing to adoption. Shelters do this to ensure adopted animals find permanent homes.
After deciding which pet you want, you should prepare for the long-term responsibility of pet ownership. This involves watching out for signs of illness, as well as daily care, such as preparing their meals and cleaning up their waste.
Consider how much time this will take in your family’s weekly schedule; for example, you will need to walk a dog every day, teach them to follow commands and learn to understand their way of communicating.
You might also need to make changes to your home so that your pets are safe. For example, cats often like to jump to high places and might knock things down. You will need to install secure window screens to stop your cat from falling out of your building.
Training is key. Even pets that are usually calm can develop new behaviours over time, so you must pay attention to signs of distress. If a pet is scared and its fear is not recognised, it might bite to protect itself.
This happens especially if people keep doing things that frighten the animal, such as hugging and kissing it even when it shows signs of distress.
Benefits of pet ownership
Pets can be more than just a source of fun, especially for teenagers, who are often battling academic stress, social pressure and hormonal changes – all while trying to figure out their identity. These factors can make them vulnerable to mental health issues like depression.
This is where a pet can really help. A pet offers unconditional love, accepting you just as you are, no matter how you dress or whether you have an extra zit on your face. They can also encourage you to step away from screens and go for a walk. Research has also shown that interacting with a dog for a few minutes can help lower your stress hormones.
If a pet aligns with your family’s lifestyle and preferences, now could be a great time to welcome a new fluffy friend into your home.
This advice has been provided by Dr Angel Ngo, a veterinarian and founder of Once And For All, a social enterprise ensuring all animals receive the care they need in homes, shelters and even the wild.
