Welcoming a new pet into your life is an exciting time. Adopting a cat or dog into your family brings with it joy and companionship and can make a house really feel like a home. But it’s important to also consider the responsibilities and day-to-day care and attention a pet requires before deciding to get one.
In addition, with so many breeds of cats and dogs to choose from, how do you find the perfect pet pal for your pad and lifestyle? Bouncy and cute or more refined and mature, bringing a new cat or dog home isn’t just about picking the cutest one, it’s about finding the right fur ball (or not-so- furry-ball!) that works best with your home environment, daily routine and factors in the long-term commitment, and care you’ll need to provide.
Let’s walk through some of the key things to consider when choosing your new furry companion to ensure a fur-ever happy home for both you and your pet.
The long-term financial commitment of owning a cat or dog
Owning a cat or dog is, hopefully a healthy, long-term commitment that will last a good number of years, maybe a little more than a decade! The average doggo will live for 10-13 years depending on the species or breed. Small dogs, like Chihuahuas, Yorkies, Maltese or Shih Tzus can typically live up to 16 years old. While medium-sized dogs, like Golden Retrievers or Labrador Retrievers, French bulldogs and Cocker Spaniels, live an average life of 10-12 years.
While there’s no scientific evidence to prove how long “9 lives” is in cat years, our feline friends have a longer average lifespan of between 13–17 years. There have even been a few fortunate, and very happy, healthy pussy cats that have been known to live up to 20 years or more!!
All this happy living adds up financially! These are some of the key ongoing costs that go hand in hand with owning a cat or dog.
Daily care costs:
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- Pet food and treats and food and water bowls.
- Flea, tick and worming medication, usually administered monthly.
- Litter trays and accessories like doggy poop bags, kitty litter.
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Exercise and play costs:
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- Toys and puzzles
- Walking leads and harnesses
- Doggy daycare or dog walkers
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Comfort and Safety costs:
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- Puppy training
- Name tags and collars – for both cats and dogs
- Outdoor dog shelters and crates
- Pet beds and bedding
- Travel accessories, like car harnesses and protectors
- Pet sitters or holiday accommodation
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Vet Care Costs:
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- Routine annual check-ups, vaccinations
- Emergency vet care
- Health medication and or supplements as prescribed
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If you’re unsure if your future lifestyle and plans are able to support a pet for this long, while the above costs still need to be considered, it can be a beautiful and kind act to adopt an older cat or dog and give them a loving home during their final years. Alternatively, pet foster care is another great way to support a cat or dog and the community for a shorter, less financially impacting duration.
Pets and your family dynamics
When considering a new pet like a cat or dog, it’s important to first consider your family and household dynamic. Studies have shown that pets can help to reduce our blood pressure and stress levels contributing to better mental and overall health. But it’s important to consider your unique home dynamics before getting a pet. For example think about:
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- If you have very young babies or toddlers, how will you plan the time you’ll need to commit, consistently to training a new kitten or puppy.
- If you have adolescents, getting a pet can be a great way to teach responsibility and care of another living being. It’s a great idea to discuss a pet plan or check list of things your children will be responsible for to help manage your pet's needs, like feeding the cat or walking the dog daily.
- If you live with elderly keep in mind how the energy and noise of a lively dog or cat may help or hinder the home environment.
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Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers are known for their patience and gentle nature with kids and elderly people. Ragdolls and our faithful domestic short haired cats, are affectionate and tolerate handling, making them an excellent choice for families with young kids.
It’s also important to consider if you already have pets. How old are your existing pets, and what is their temperament? A much older cat for example, may need lots of quiet time alone from an active and lively puppy or kitten. So, providing this space for the older cat is important. Similarly, some pets can become territorial if they’ve always lived with your family alone. So do your research on cats and dogs that are complimentary to your existing pet before you do get one. Are there ways you can gradually introduce pets to each other? Ensure they have separate eating bowls and sleeping space especially while they're settling in. A natural pheromone spray can also help neutralise the home before introducing a new pet.
And always remember, as exciting as a new pet can be, be sure to provide lots of love, play and attention to your existing pet so they don’t feel left out.
Consider how a cat or dog compliments your lifestyle
The first step in choosing a cat or dog is to assess your lifestyle. Your activity level, daily schedule, and habits should heavily influence your decision to get a cat or dog.
Perfect pets for an active household:
If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, have a lot of time to spend in open spaces daily, and live close to off leash, dog friendly areas, certain active dog breeds are natural companions for you.
Active dog breeds include Border Collies, Huskies, Labrador Retrievers, German Shepards or Kelpies. These dogs all love (and need!) at least 60-90 minutes of exercise daily. It can help to break this exercise up into shorter stints throughout the day. Getting out for an off leash run, hike (in dog friendly spots), swim, PLUS a few good rounds of tug-of-war or fetch in the yard each day is really important for keeping these active dogs happy and not stressed out.
Without these forms of energy release, dogs can get pent up energy and act up doing silly things for attention, like digging holes, chewing things they shouldn’t or excessive barking.
If you don’t always have this daily time to get out and about, a more active cat that enjoys a good round of interactive play could be a good option.
Cats are generally more independent and happier to spend a good amount of down time chillaxing on their own. And while all cats do need frequent, short bursts of play and activity to release energy and exercise, there are some more active cat breeds that require a lot of engagement and play. These include the Bengal, Abyssinian and surprisingly the domestic short haired Black cat. These breeds love climbing, stalking and interactive play like chase or catch the ball, and thrive on high agility exercises.
Great pets for a quiet lifestyle:
Prefer a more relaxed home? Then cat and dog breeds to consider for a more zen pace of life include the Bulldog, Frenchie or Basset Hound. These soulful mates are content with short walks and lounging around the house. They typically need only 30 minutes of moderate exercise per day and are happy to play a game of fetch in the lounge or yard or go for a quick stroll round the block each day.
Our sleepy purr-fectly peaceful cats include the Persian or Ragdoll cat. Both are low-energy breeds and most content in quiet, calm environments with minimal stimulation where they can while away the day lounging in the sun or snuggle up in a blanket.
Consider your work schedule and travel habits when choosing a pet
As a busy family or professional who is often out and about for long periods of time it’s important to have a pet that will be comfortable for short, frequent periods of time on their own.
Cats are generally great at keeping themselves happy while you’re out during the day. As long as they have access to their essentials, fresh water, a cool spot to sleep in during Summer, and a clean litter tray in a safe and quiet environment, they’re likely to enjoy their daily zen time.
Dogs can be a little more complex. Dogs shouldn't be left alone for longer than 3-5 hours depending on their environment. Always consider the safety of your dog home alone. Are they in a secure, fenced yard, or a well-ventilated apartment with a clean, tidy space for toileting?
Will your dog have access to fresh water and lots of shade especially in the Aussie summer heat. It’s also important to provide mental stimulation or play for a dog while you’re away so they don’t dig up the backyard or bark the neighbourhood down! Chews or frozen treats or puzzles are a great way to keep them occupied for short stints and mentally tire them out so they have a doggy nap while you’re away.
Also consider taking them for a good walk before you leave so they have an opportunity to go to the toilet (if an apartment dog) and let some energy out.
If you’re gone for longer periods like a whole day, it’s always best to make arrangements with a friend or dog walker who can come and take Fido out for a stroll while you're gone. If this isn’t possible, you should consider a doggy daycare, and there’s some great ones out there that even offer a taxi service!
If you're a frequent flyer and travel a lot, leaving your pet at home alone while you’re on holiday should never be an option. So when considering a pet, it’s important to have a budget and plan set for pet hotels or pet sitters who can give your pet the daily care, love and attention they need for the duration of your trip.
A note on gifting a new cat or dog.
Our Paw Pantry crew strongly recommend against gifting a new pet unless the new owner is prepared, financially capable and has the time to care for their new pet. This is really important especially during busy times, like the holidays. Pets given as Christmas gifts often face abandonment or rehoming because recipients are unprepared for the new responsibility. Many people travel over the holidays, making it difficult to provide stable care for a new pet, especially if it’s a surprise gift which can make finding last minute pet accommodations difficult!
Consider your physical space when choosing a pet
Your home environment plays a significant role in determining which pet will be happiest in your space.
If you live in an apartment or urban space with limited outdoor areas and lots of busy roads and traffic, smaller dog breeds like Chihuahuas, Pugs, and French Bulldogs adapt well to these. They require less outdoor activity but still need daily walks of 20-30 minutes.
With the exception of our highly active cat crew, the Bengal, Abyssinian and Black cat, most cats are naturally suited to smaller homes. Breeds like British Shorthairs are particularly low-maintenance and adapt well to smaller spaces.
If you have a little more outdoor space or the luxury of a large home, then larger dog breeds like Golden Retrievers, Australian Shepherds, and Great Danes will flourish in these homes. The benefit of having a backyard or access to open areas helps these doggos get lots of exercise around the home to keep up their daily steps.
Some dogs can be a little more boisterous than others. For example, Beagles and Huskies are highly vocal dog breeds that will often openly pine for their owners while they’re away, some serenading the neighbourhood with their longing until... well... the cows (and their owner) come home!
Other dogs like Golden Retriever, Labradors and Germain Shepards can be highly protective of their pad – so the slightest hint of the front gate opening, or a knock on the door can set them off in an eager excitement to determine who is at the front door! So, these dogs may not suit owners who like their calm, or apartments and homes with noise-sensitive neighbours.
Ultimately, choosing a pet is more than just finding a cute companion to greet you when you walk through the door. Building a long-lasting bond with your cat or dog takes time, commitment and financial stability.
By thinking through these key considerations to choosing a pet you’ll ensure a joyful and fulfilling relationship with your new furry friend!
