The Challenges of Pet Ownership

When adding a pet to your home, it is important to factor in all areas of what that may mean for your life. There will always be the good, the bad, and the ugly side of things. Let’s take a look beyond the excitement and cuteness overload of being a pet owner.

Here are some of the most common challenges pet owners face:

1.     Illness – this may also be the most expensive one. As with humans, even when you do everything to promote good health, illness can hit at any moment. Depending on the severity, a sick pet can impact your family emotionally and financially. Pet insurance and a vet you are comfortable with are good things to have when needed and will help lighten the load.

2.     Runaway, lost, or stolen – a dreaded moment for pet owners. Some dogs are very well-trained and may feel adventurous and want to explore the neighborhood or visit their friends down the street. Those moments can get frustrating, and we are usually able to laugh it off and move on. But, what about when we are searching for days, making social media posts, and hanging signs on every light post? We always suggest microchips to help locate your missing pet. If you’re leaving home for an extended amount of time, you can always feel free to give us a call to check in on your animals - which leads us to the next challenge.

3.     Separation anxiety – a common challenge for dogs and cats. Our fur babies are just as attached to us as we are to them. They don’t always like to see you go. How do they communicate this? Our pet’s moods visibly change, they may become sad and whimper a little, or you may come home to your sofa chewed to bits, or poo in your shoe. It does help to hire someone to check in on them if it seems they are dealing with anxiety.

4.     Travel – it’s that time of year. As the holiday season is upon us, planning travel when you have a pet can be challenging. We read articles about pets getting put on the wrong flight often. For those who choose road trips, there is planning and constant stopping. Considering a sitter for times like this is always an option.

We believe that you can work through any of these challenges. Our pets are a part of our family, and we love them. Working through the hard stuff is what you do with family. The purpose of this blog is to give you something to think about and to prepare for things you did not factor in if you are a first-timer. TLDOM is here to support you and your pets to make transitions smooth!