5 Signs You’re Actually Not Ready for a Pet

Pets are some of the most joyful additions to our lives.

Of course you want a pet—everyone does. But you also have to consider that pets are living, breathing beings that count on you for everything. That's a lot of responsibility, so getting a pet shouldn't be a decision you make lightly.

Even if you're dying to welcome a new friend into your life, you have to be sure you're ready. Keep scrolling for five signs you're actually not prepared to get a pet.

You're Rarely Home

Before you get a pet, you have to consider how much time you'll actually be able to dedicate to it. Between school, extracurricular activities, studying, hanging out with friends and anything else that might flood your to-do list, how much time will you actually spend at home? Pets require care and attention. If you don't have a schedule that allows you to be at home with your new animal, it might not be the right time. A lack of attention will lead to stress for you and suffering for your pet. Make sure you have the time you need to take care of your furry friend before you invest in a new animal.

 

You Can't Really Decide

If you want to get a pet, you should really want one. Indecision can't be a factor when you're planning to invest in something that literally relies on you for life. If you find your desire to have a pet goes through ups and downs, you're not ready. Being desperate to get a pet one day, only to forget about it for two or three weeks isn't a sign that you'll be a devoted pet parent. Don't rush into the decision—wait until you genuinely want an animal before you saddle yourself with that responsibility.

 

You Haven't Done Your Research

Taking care of an animal isn't always intuitive as it seems. Each animal is unique, and they all have their own needs that have to be met. Before you get a pet, you should do lots of research on your specific animal's needs. If you have yet to look up anything about your desired friend, you're simply not ready.

 

You Haven't Thought Long-Term

Since the idea of getting a pet is so exciting in the moment, it's hard to remember that they're a long-term commitment. Particularly for cats and dogs, you're signing on for about a decade of loving this furry friend. Before you get a pet, you have to think about its long-term care. What will happen to your animal when you go away to college? Will you be ready to take care of your furry friend on your own one day? If the answer to any of those things are a little obscure, you should wait. You can't have a pet only for as long as it's convenient for you. You have to think about the long-term implications in order to truly commit to your animal.

 

You'd Have to Hide It

If you're in a position where you'd have to hide your new furry friend, you shouldn't get a pet. For starters, if your parents already said no to a new animal, they probably have a good reason. However, that kind of situation also wouldn't be safe for your pet. What would happen to it if someone found out? How stressful would it be, both for you and your animal, if you had to stash it away in order to keep it a secret? It's okay if you desperately want a pet, but you have to be sure that you're in the right position to take care of it. If you'd have to hide your animal, you're simply not creating a good situation for your lovable little guy.

 

Do you think you're ready for a furry friend, but your parents aren't on board? Click HERE for how to convince your parents to let you get a cat.