As Christmas morning dawns, inevitably many households find themselves with a new family member waiting for them under the tree. Pet adoption rates spike in the festive and New Year period according to PetSure data, but how many of these new pet owners understand the full implications? 

Owning a pet is a long-term commitment, emotionally and financially. This is why a new pet requires an all-around lifestyle adjustment and lots of planning, but this isn’t always the case. After all, there’s more than one reason why animal shelters around the country are at capacity. 

Whatever your situation, there are questions to ask yourself before you bring a new pet home.

TIME AND A HALF 

There’s a pet for every lifestyle, but you’ll need to do some work to find the right one for yours. Start by asking: do you have the time to dedicate to walks? To grooming? To training and play? Do you have kids or other pets in the household? 

Once you’ve committed, you’ll need a good supply of patience. Young pets need behavioural training and a guiding hand to help them discover life’s boundaries.  

If you’re adopting an older pet, you may be lucky enough to find a fully trained animal, but you’ll still need to help them acclimatise to their new forever home. These things take time, even once the Christmas holidays are over. 

CHRISTMAS CHAOS

The festive season is a busy time for many households, and not ideal for the kind of time and attention your pet needs when settling in. Additionally, there are plenty of hazards and risks around at this end of the year.

Christmas usually brings plenty of visitors and other distractions. Storms, fireworks and doors left open can all provide opportunities for an anxious pet to escape, which can lead to accidents on the streets. It’s important for owners to be extra vigilant.

Festive foods such as chocolate, alcohol, ham and grapes can be toxic to pets, and bones from cooked meat can splinter and cause choking or internal injuries. Always discard leftovers and harmful foods securely to keep your pets safe.

You won’t be able to anticipate every accident or bout of illness, which is why pet insurance can be a great option early in your pet’s life.

COST OF LOVING 

The financial commitment of a new pet is significant. From food and grooming to housing and healthcare, a range of expected and surprise costs await. 

The expenses begin with the initial outlay, which according to moneysmart.gov.au can set you back anywhere between $500 – $3,000 if you’re buying from a breeder. Adopting a pet from a shelter will be less expensive, with puppies and kittens alike generally coming in under $500. 

In the first year, you’ll have to pay for microchipping, vaccinations, parasite preventatives and de-sexing of young pets. Council registration fees are another part of responsible pet ownership and should be done at the same time of microchipping (around six months of age). 

Toys and accessories are part of the initial outlay, and food will have to be factored into your regular supermarket trips. 

But the most expensive consideration for new pets is healthcare. Young pets or animals unfamiliar with their new environment are more likely to experience unexpected emergencies through exploration, but illness and accidents can affect pets of any age. 

Doing your research into your chosen breed can help with this. Understanding a breed’s inherent health risks can help you prepare for what’s ahead. 

Another way you can brace for future healthcare costs is to insure your pet early, something festive pet owners are getting better at doing. In 2024, PetSure data shows that January featured the highest number of new policies taken out compared to any other month. 

Having pet insurance in place from a young age helps get ahead of pre-existing conditions and manage unexpected pet healthcare costs that can arise throughout your pet’s life.  

A GapOnly-ready policy makes it even easier. That way, you only pay the gap between the vet’s invoice and your eligible claim benefit, which helps shrink upfront out-of-pocket expenses at the clinic. 

ADOPT OR SHOP?

Whether you choose to adopt or purchase from a breeder, it’s important to ask a lot of questions and find out about the pet’s background, known medical history and behaviour so you can make an informed decision. A pet is for life, and it’s up to you to determine whether they’ll be the right fit for you and your family. 

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