The holidays are here, and you are likely in the thick of your holiday shopping. While you want to give your loved ones a truly meaningful present, resist the urge to gift anyone a pet. Yes, a fluffy puppy or kitten sitting under the Christmas tree with a bow on their head is an adorable idea, but—unlike other holiday gifts—a pet requires a serious commitment. Our Twin Lakes Veterinary Hospital team shares the top reasons why pets are not good holiday gifts. 

#1: Pet ownership is not a decision you can make for someone else

You likely include a gift receipt with the holiday presents you give. We all have different tastes, and while you may think you are giving someone the perfect gift, you also realize you do not know that for sure. If gifting someone a sweater does not come with a guarantee that they will love the garment, gifting someone a living breathing animal is definitely risky. Although you may know that a loved one is planning to adopt an animal, they must decide when they are ready, as well as the kind of pet that best meets their needs. Only they can decide the following about their potential pet:

  • Species
  • Breed
  • Gender
  • Age
  • Temperament

#2: Pets require a financial commitment

Caring for a pet requires a financial commitment. Ongoing costs include food, treats, parasite preventives, vaccinations, toys, litter (for cats), cleaning supplies, and services (e.g., grooming, training, boarding), as well as the occasional unexpected medical expense. The cost of raising a pet may be overwhelming for someone not expecting to receive a furry friend as a surprise—another reason pets are not good gifts. 

#3: A new pet requires planning and preparation

Giving a pet as a gift without including the necessary supplies is not fair to the recipient or the pet, and your loved one will have to rush out to purchase essential pet supplies. Before welcoming a new pet or gifting one, a new owner must be prepared with essential items such as:

  • Leash, harness, and adjustable collar
  • Secure crate  
  • Baby gates
  • Pet bed
  • Food and water bowls
  • Pet food and treats
  • Chew toys
  • Grooming supplies
  • Pee pads (for puppies) or litter box and litter (for kittens)

#4: Before welcoming a new pet, a home should be pet-proofed

Pet adoption is not a spur-of-the-moment decision, especially not one you can make for someone else. A home that is not pet-proofed may not be safe for a new pet, and this situation could easily stress the gift recipient and their new pet. When you surprise someone with a pet, they will not have had time to prepare their home for a new furry family member. Pet-proofing takes time and includes:

  • Checking that fences are secure, with no gaps.
  • Covering electrical cords.
  • Putting breakable or easily damaged items out of a pet’s reach.
  • Installing safety latches on bathroom and kitchen cabinets.
  • Using baby gates to keep a pet out of certain home areas as they adjust to their new environment.
  • Securing cleaning products and medication on shelves or in cabinets a pet cannot access.

#5: A new pet can add stress to the holidays

While gifting a pet is not good for any occasion, the holidays are a particularly stressful time. During the holidays, schedules become jam-packed, and many families have travel plans. This is not an ideal time or situation for welcoming a new pet. With the holiday season’s chaos, adding the responsibility of caring for a new pet only increases a recipient’s stress. 

#6: Adopting a pet requires self-reflection

While someone may really want to adopt a pet, that does not mean they are ready. Before adopting a new pet, a potential owner should reflect on their current lifestyle to ensure they can set up a new pet for success. Before taking on this responsibility, a potential pet owner should consider their responses to the following questions: 

  • Do you have enough time to spend with and care for a pet?
  • Do you work long hours?
  • Do you travel frequently? 
  • Can you afford to pay for a pet’s care?
  • Are you committed to training and socializing a new pet?

These questions are personal, and you cannot answer for someone else. If you gift a pet as a surprise, the recipient may not have had time to consider these questions seriously, or they may have determined they are not ready to adopt a pet. 

Rather than gifting them a pet, show a loved one you support their pet ownership dream by providing them with informational pet care resources. If a loved one has recently adopted their chosen pet, a thoughtful holiday gift is to help them schedule a wellness exam with our Twin Lakes Veterinary Hospital team.