Want to give your loved one a pet in the New Year? Here’s what you need to know.

 Pets can help peoples lives thrive with their unrivalled companionship, and perhaps that’s why these little fur balls are the perfect present for the New Year in past years.

However, some experts have said although the beginning of a New Year is a jolly time for families, buying a pet is a life-long decision, which requires careful consideration.

Dogs among the chart of pets, often require more upkeep.

One thing is for sure puppies, dogs, cats and kittens –  should never be an impulse buy.

“Buying a puppy should never been an impulse decision. Getting a puppy requires careful thought and planning,” Dogs NSW president Lynette Brown said.

She said some important factors to consider is for the potential dog owner’s lifestyle, residential circumstances and time.

“If you want to get a purebred dog, consider your lifestyle, such as where you live, and how much time you can spend with your dog. What will you do with your dog when you go on holiday?”

But it’s not just a matter of considering which breed would suit the gift recipient.

Here are a few factors to consider before gifting a pet.

FINANCE:

The cost of buying a pet goes beyond the pet shop, pound or breeder. Food is an ongoing cost, along with grooming, equipment (e.g. collars and toys) and medical attention – whether that be regular checks, vaccinations or more. Just like humans, each pet is unique, and may have health implications in the future, which is why many vets recommend pet insurance.

Being inquisitive at times, this means sometimes they may get themselves into tricky and dangerous situations which require vet care, which can be expensive especially without any insurance coverage.

LOCATION:

Is the potential pet owner a landlord who owns their home or do they rent?

Today, sky-rise apartment blocks and townhouses have sky rocketed around city hubs. And often when these types of homes are rented out, it’s not only the landlord who has to approve of the pet, but also body corporate.

Some other problems with owning pets in apartments is whether there is enough room for them and if they will have easy access to green space – where they can happily do their business and get the exercise they need.

Climate is another factor to consider. If you live in a place that reaches high temperatures – it may not be suitable for some animals and breeds, especially those breeds that have difficulty breathing.

TIME:

Pets can make a great gift for those who work from home or for families who often have someone at home to care for the pet.

However, for those who work full-time and will be leaving their pet outside or inside all day – they need to ask themselves, is it fair for the pet?

Dogs are one type of pet, which require regular exercise and green space. And some breeds may need to be walked two to four times a day.

ALLERGIES:

Gifting a pet to someone else is a difficult decision because you may not know everything about that person – including if they suffer from allergies.

Pet allergies are common but it’s not often the cat or dog’s fur which people are allergic to. It’s often their saliva.

So… giving the gift of a pet might make the perfect gift for some people, but for others it may not.

TIP: Our tip is if you’re still pondering over the idea, consider asking the gift recipient. Although it’s nice for gifts to be a surprise, it could be an unwelcome one – even if their constantly liking pictures and videos of pets on social media!

If you’ve decided to get a cat or dog for someone special in the new year, here is where to find more information about specific breeds of cats and dogs. And there’s also loads of information about pet care in general.