Owning a pet can be a lot of work and can cost a lot. As a student, there are things to keep in mind, especially in terms of time commitment and cost. Talk to the adoption center where you plan on getting your pet for specifics on the care of your animal to ensure you are making the best choice for you and your animal. Here are 8 things to know before buying a pet.
Between food, vet visits, and other pet costs, owning a pet can be expensive. These can add up quickly, especially if you are on a student budget. Look at your income and spending to see if you can make adjustments to accommodate all that an animal costs.
Care of a pet can be timely. Do you have to change litter and bedding, take the animal for walks, and prepare certain meals? Do research to find out how extensive the care is.
If you are a student that has a crazy schedule that prevents you from being at home, time can influence what kind of pet you get. This is especially true for dogs, especially if they are not house trained.
Certain animals require pet food from a store. Others can eat things like fruits and vegetables that you already have. Others may require a special diet if they have certain sensitivities.
If you live in a dorm or apartment, you may be restricted as to whether or not you are allowed to have a pet. If you are, make sure you can provide the pet with the space it needs to live comfortably.
If you have had pets before, this will be easy since you know what animals you are or are not allergic to. If you do not know, spend some time with different pets to find out. Keep in mind whether or not your roommate has allergies. This is definitely one of the things to know before buying a pet, as you don’t want to find out after the fact.
Many pets have past owners who returned them because they did not realize the time and cost of caring for the animal. This trauma of being passed around can cause behavior troubles in the animal, so keep this in mind.
Older pets may be easier to take care of because they are calm and have been trained. However, many people want to get babies so the pet will stay with them for a while. Think about what is best for you and your schedule.
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