Are you thinking of getting yourself or a loved one a pet for Christmas?

We all know the saying “A pet is for life, not just for Christmas”… well it is a universal truth. You shouldn’t get a pet unless you can look after one properly, or you are certain the person you are getting the pet for is commited and able to look after the pet properly.

Here is our list of ten things you should consider before getting a pet for Christmas.

1 – Can you cope with the demands of a pet?

You are dealing with the life of another being, so don’t take the decision lightly.

2 – Do you have enough time to look after a pet?

If you live a busy life with only a couple of hours spare a day, will you have enough time to look after a pet properly?

3 – Do you have the money to look after a pet?

Pets cost money. As well as vet bills, you will need to spend a lot of money on food and supplies for a pet. Some pets that need their own environment like fish, turtles or lizards can be very expensive to look after. The electricity bill alone is quite considerable.

4 – Do you have the space?

Even small pets can take up lots of room, and you wouldn’t want to lock an animal up in a small cramped space. How would you feel if you lived in a tiny space your whole life?

5 – Can you commit for a long period?

Some pets may actually outlive you. Tortoises for example can live over 100 years!

6 – Can you get them in an ethical way?

If you are going to get a pet, why not get one from an animal sanctuary? So many animals are put down every year because they don’t have homes, that it would be silly to encourage more to be bred by breeders.

If you are buying an “exotic” pet can you be sure it hasn’t been poached from its natural environment and smuggled into the country? Will you be funding poachers and gangsters?

7 – Will you still love them when they are old?

Puppies and kittens inevitably get older, and harder to look after.

8 – Can you trust the animal around children?

All dogs can be dangerous and unpredictable. If you are planning on having children or have children you should think carefully.

9 – Will your landlord allow pets? What if you move?

Many landlords do not allow pets. It might be okay now, but can you guarantee this for 15 years+?

10 – Do you go away for days at a time regularly?

Do you often go on business, visit relatives or go on holiday for more than a day? Will you be able to look after your pet or provide cover all the time?

In conclusion…

Looking after a pet isn’t easy. Also giving a pet to someone else (possibly with out asking them) can be a little irresponsible. Can you really guarantee that they will be looked after until they die? Can you guarantee that you or the person you are giving them to will be able to afford the thousands that it costs to look after them?

Make sure you think it through. Having a pet can be a great thing, but you need to be sure that the pet’s welfare comes first.

On PetInsuranceIreland.com you can compare and review pet insurance in Ireland. Click here to visit the homepage.

Article updated December 2010.

Photo of Ella the puppy by jpctalbot

Anyone that has ever lived in Dublin, or one of the big cities in Ireland, will know that Hallowe’en is a loud experience to say the least.

For pets, it can be a real nightmare.

The constant bangs and flashes can keep them on edge and make them anxious.

Natalia Soblechero at the Independant has put together a list of ways you can make sure things run as smoothly as possible.

She includes tips such as making sure you keep your pets inside and the universally good advice of making sure they are microchipped – then if they run away you will hopefully be reunited with them.

You can also watch this video by Pete The Vet at TV3.ie which includes more tips on looking after your pets at hallowe’en.

The ASPCA – No Scaredy Cats This Halloween: Top 10 Safety Tips for Pet Parents – is a great list of Hallowe’en tips including not giving your pet any treats like chocolate!

Useful websites:

• Vet advice: Hallowe’en trick, treat or trauma? – Natalia Soblechero – Independant.ie
• Pets and Hallowe’en – Pet The Vet – Ireland Am
• No Scaredy Cats This Halloween: Top 10 Safety Tips for Pet Parents – ASPCA

Compare pet insurance deals in Ireland at Pet Insurance Ireland.

Photo: Glen Bowman

Keeping your pet cool and well looked after in the summertime is as essential as it is any other time of the year, but there are lots of different things you need to think about.

Here are some bite-sized summer pet care tips to help you get an idea:

Water

• Always have plenty of fresh water available for your pets, and keep it topped up throughout the day. Don’t forget to take water with you if you are taking your dog out on a hot day.

Clean

• Keep rabbit hutches clean. Summer brings with a host of problems for rabbits, if their hutches get in a bad condition they will quickly get parasites and infections – including dreaded maggot infestations. Eek.

Heat / Cars

• Never keep your pets/dogs in enclosed spaces like cars. Even a few minutes can be fatal.

You can find lots more tips, including a podcast and PDF summer tips survival guide on the Blue Cross website here.

Looking for pet insurance for your pet? Click here to compare or review pet insurance companies in Ireland.

Photo by >wZa HK

Switzerland is holding a referendum on whether domesticated animals should have a right to be represented by a lawyer, seeing the country potentially becoming a leading exponent of animal welfare rights.

“Humans accused of animal cruelty can hire a lawyer or get one assigned but animals can’t,” said Antoine Goetschel, a lawyer quoted in the Times “Which is where I come in.”

Antoine Goetschel was appointed an “animal advocate” in 2007 by the canton of Zurich, a scheme which has been a success according to many. Over 100,000 signatures have been raised to expand the expirment futher.

However the government and farmers unions are against the idea, fearing it will lead to increased legislation.

A pet insurance expert from PetInsuranceIreland.com comments “Looking after animals is extremely important. We should do everything we can to improve the welfare of both pets and farm animals – who are all too often the forgotten victims of cruelty.”

Photo copyright Steve Punter

Pets play a really useful role in a lot of peoples lives, and there are plenty of unwanted cats and dogs in rescue centres that would love a new responsible owner. If you are a senior citizen in Dublin you can foster a pet through the DSPCAs pet fostering program.

Pete’s article lists some great reasons why pets are good for us, including the promotion of exercise and social interaction.

Read Pete’s article in full here.

PetInsuranceIreland.com – compare and review pet insurance deals in Ireland.

Photo copyright ♡Blackangelツ