More and more people are choosing pet ownership over parenthood, especially because childcare costs are at an all-time high. That’s not to say that having a pet is cheap considering the number of shots, trips to the vet, and other expenses associated with it, but it is cheaper than raising a child of their own.
Moreover, animals are relatively easier to care for than a kid, which is why you can’t blame people for opting to become fur parents instead. And given the current state of the world, it’s more sustainable to take care of a pet rather than a child, especially if you choose to adopt the animal from the shelters.
There are so many homeless animals that need a loving home. Granted, taking care of an animal can be a handful sometimes because they also need to be fed and cleaned, but the benefits of having one in your life clearly outweigh the disadvantages. This is why you should consider getting yourself a pet.
Of course, you should never get a pet before you’re ready. It may not be like a child that has to be watched 24/7 until they can stand on their own two feet, but animals still deserve every bit of tender love and care you can give. Here’s how having a pet can make your life so much better:
You’ll Have a Companion for Life
Most animals tend to be loyal to their owners, but partly because they don’t have a say in the matter. They will stay with you until they no longer can and provide you with the companionship you crave without having to ask twice. If you’re feeling lonely, you could get yourself a pet that you can care for.
The kind of pet that you get depends on the level of commitment that you can provide them. If you don’t think you can devote a lot of time to caring for your pet, you can get one that’s low maintenance like a fish. But if you’re willing to give your all, you can get yourself a cat or dog from the local pound.
Having a pet at home means that you’ll have a life companion, or at least, based on their life. You’ll have something to come home to instead of an empty house, and you won’t have to feel lonely ever again. Having a pet can be everything you’ve ever wanted and more, so you should consider getting one.
You’ll Automatically Have a Travel Buddy
Since the number of people choosing pet ownership has grown recently, traveling with pets has become so much easier. Almost anywhere you go, there will be pet-friendly accommodations and restaurants that you can stay at without having to leave your pet outside because of strict rules.
Pets can also travel on an airplane, although you’ll need to have the proper documentation for it. Sure, it takes a bit more planning to travel with your pet, but it’s worth the effort if it means you can share the adventure with your pet. Besides, traveling can become more enjoyable with your pet by your side.
But traveling with your pet also means being a responsible pet owner. So, for instance, if you have a dog, make sure that it’s trained so that it behaves in public and can stay inside a confined space such as an airplane. Have enough dog treats and dog food on hand so that you won’t have to panic when you run out of them while still in a foreign place.
You’ll Always Have Emotional Support
Aside from having a lifetime companion and an automatic travel buddy, your pet can also provide you with emotional support. Most pets can feel their owner’s emotions; they can tell when you’re sad and when you need to be comforted. Sometimes, even their mere presence can provide a sense of relief to their owners.
You can also communicate with your pet by learning their non-verbal actions. For example, a dog wagging its tail means that it’s emotionally aroused, which could mean that the dog is excited or frustrated. But it could also mean something much worse depending on the speed of the wag.
Just like how your pet reads your non-verbal actions, you need to learn theirs too so you can communicate. It won’t feel the same as talking with another person, but it could be beneficial to your physical and emotional well-being to simply have a warm body next to yours when the world is too cruel.
As mentioned earlier, being a pet owner is a lifetime commitment. You can’t just get a pet when you’re sad and then neglect it once your life starts picking up; it doesn’t work that way. So if you decide to get a pet to make your life better, you must understand that you’ll have a duty and responsibility to it.
