Giving a pet for Christmas…a good idea?

Faire la surprise à quelqu’un en lui donnant un petit animal domestique pour Christmas est devenu un geste courant. C’est une décision qui mérite cependant d’être mûrement réfléchie…

Adopter un animal de compagnie transforme toujours la routine quotidienne de la famille qui l’accueille. Cela implique de l’engagement et des responsabilités en termes d’affection, de soins vétérinaires, et aussi d’argent. Sans oublier, le stress ressenti par « l’adopté » lui-même par son entrée dans un nouveau foyer.

Suggestions

Obviously, it won't be a surprise anymore... But if you're thinking of giving, for example, a puppy or a kitten to a young child, perhaps it would be wiser to consult their parents first, especially if they're still young (since, in any case, it will be up to them to take care of the newcomer).

We may also be tempted to give a pet to an elderly person who lives alone. Beforehand, it is worth asking yourself a few questions: will they be able to cover all the expenses that this entails (care, vaccinations, outings, care, toys, food)? If it is a dog, will they be able to find enough energy to take it for its daily walks, rain or shine, and if it is a puppy, will they have enough patience to train it (cleanliness, nibbling? In the event of illness or death, who would take charge of the animal? A surprise can sometimes turn into a burden.

A certain risk

What if the gift animal isn't liked? Yes, it's a risk. First and foremost, it must be truly desired by the person and their loved ones, otherwise you could well—despite good intentions at the outset—bring them more trouble than pleasure. Another point: the personality of an animal must harmonize with that of the person who will train it. It's always better to choose your little life companion yourself.

Additionally, training a young animal requires patience, forbearance, calmness, consistency, and availability. The holiday season may not be the best time to embark on such an undertaking. What do you think?