Bringing A Pet Home At Christmas Time

Is bringing a pet home during Christmas time a good idea or a bad idea? Do they make good Christmas Gifts? There are definite negatives and risks to doing it at this time of year.

Here are some things to contemplate before making the plunge in adopting or purchasing your first cat or dog during this hectic month of holiday goodies and shopping. Some pet lovers may be considering a pet as the perfect Christmas Gift for their child, spouse, girlfriend, boyfriend or parents. There are some things to realize before exposing an animal to the turmoil of the holiday season.

Should I Or Shouldn't I Get A Pet As A Christmas Gift?

Although giving a puppy or kitten to someone you love in your family is a wonderful and joyous thing to do and will certainly bring extreme happiness to the recipient of such a warm and cuddly creature, it can come with complications.

As long as the person you are giving the pet to is a total animal lover and you're confident they are ready and wanting a new puppy or kitten, then this may go quite smoothly.

An exception.... is for small children, the pet should never look like a novelty item and they should be well versed in understanding the care and love that is required for this new bundle of joy that they asked Santa for. All recipients of such a generous gift need to remember these fuzzy faces are not stuffed toys and they don't stay cute and cuddly forever but will grow into adults. They are here as a life long friend for the duration of 8-20 years depending on whether it is a dog or cat, large or small.

What happens in many instances with a child, once Christmas is over, the child loses interest and the novelty wears off and the business of keeping the pet clean, housed and fed turns into a chore instead of a joy. So after the excitement is over and the dust settles from the holiday cheer, your child suddenly ignores the dog or cat and thinks taking care of it, walking it, feeding it, and cleaning up after it....simply is too much work.

The Facts Are Clear

Puppies and kittens that are given as a Christmas gift for children and some adults also, usually get returned to the pound within the next 30 days that follow Christmas or once they grow up they are discarded at the pound or dumped in the back yard to endure a life of loneliness and neglect.

Another strong argument for not doing this on impulse during this holiday season.

The Truly Loved Christmas Pet

Now there are certainly those that will take wonderful care of their new pet and will spend many long years with them to be sure, but there are still things to observe in order to prevent problems that can come with the new pet. Preparation is key....so unless you plan to give all the accessories with the new puppy or kitten, at least make sure the new owner has these things. An unprepared home will not bode well on Christmas Day.

Timing Is Everything

One very key thing to realize is...even though you may be one of those who can't wait for the new pet at Christmas time, or to be the one giving the pet to their loved one, the recommendation is to give a picture in a gift card of their new fuzzy face instead of the actual pet on Christmas Day.

Why you ask?....Many don't realize or take into account the hullabaloo that can occur when you have a whole bunch of family and friends mulling around and wandering in and out of your home. This could pose an untimely loss of your new pet by wandering out the door with no one watching, and getting lost or injured out on the street.

As a pet lover you may also experience accidents since you will be so involved with your guests, your new kitten or puppy doesn't get the proper potty time. Animals get kicked, stepped on and tripped over with so much activity and this will make for a very unhappy beginning for associating your new pet to his or her new home. Or worse case again, the new gifted pet is locked away in a room, a crate, or thrown outside in the cold dark backyard until everybody goes home. This is not fair to your new best friend.

The Perfect Gift At The Perfect Time

Christmas can certainly be the optimum time to give the gift of a pet if you are going to be spending a quiet day at home with just you and your immediate family, and your new kitty or doggie. This can then make for a wonderful way to spend the holiday knowing that your new furry face will get your undivided attention and the entire day can be devoted to acclimating your pet to his or her new home without interruption.

Plan well, be safe and have a Merry Christmas!