You and your partner will experience a lot of milestones in your life together: living together, meeting each other’s families, traveling, and maybe even getting a pet. Adopting a pet with your significant other is a substantial commitment.
Are you going to go for a small, furry friend like a cat, or a cute, cold-blood creature like a gecko?
When picking a pet with your partner, take these tips into consideration.
1. What Type of Pet Do You Want?
While you may be a dog person through-and-through, your partner may not be so convinced. Talking about what type of pet and the responsibilities that come with each is one of the first conversations you should have.
With dogs comes regular walks, a lot of attention, training, grooming, feeding, and so on. If you are considering a cat, you may want to figure out who will clean the litterbox and when. If you are trying to convince your partner you should adopt a dog, you could show them cute pictures like of these French bulldog puppies.
2. Think About Your Circumstances
Are you two living on your own? Are you financially secure enough to afford the regular, and unexpected costs, of pet ownership? Food and other supplies may not seem too expensive, but can you afford regular vet visits?
If you are planning to move soon, travel, or have significant events coming up in the near future that will take up a lot of time, getting a pet right now may not be realistic. If you and/or your partner have jobs that keep you away from home for most of the day, a pet that is reliant on human interaction or needs regular attention may not be for you.
3. Have an Honest Talk About Your Future
The average lifespan of a household pet like a hamster or mouse is about 4 years of age. Dogs and cats live to around 10-15 years old on average. If the idea of being with the same person for the next 15 years is scary, you may not want to devote your life together to a pet.
Bringing a pet into an emotionally unstable home may seem like a good idea to help repair your relationship, but stress can have an adverse effect on an animal’s health.
4. Talk to Family Members
If you have family members (or even friends) at your home regularly, you may want to ask for their opinions to help you make a decision. If a family member or friend is allergic to a certain kind of pet, that may sway your decision as well.
If you will need to ask family or friends for pet-sitting help, they should know about your plans.
Picking a Pet Perfectly
Picking a pet with your significant other is a commitment that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Have an honest talk about what your priorities are and what each of you wants in life and your relationship. A pet is a commitment, not an impulse buy.
For more advice on all things animals, wild and tame, check out the rest of our blog!
