Why You Shouldn’t Give Pets as Gifts

Pets are wonderful and adopting one is most likely the best money that you will ever spend. If you could buy happiness, it would come in the form of loving a pet. However, it may not be the wisest idea to give pets to your friends and family as gifts. 

If you are considering giving a pet as a gift, here are some reasons why you might want to reconsider.

They Might Not Have the Time or Money

A pet can be an amazing gift, let’s not get that wrong. Most people would love to open their present only to have a puppy or a kitten pop out.

But that person might not have a pet for a reason, or even if they already have pets, they might not have another one for a reason. You never know if someone is capable of taking care of a new pet.

As much as we love our pets, they aren’t cheap, that’s just the reality. Pets need food, medication, vet visits, living space, time, and energy. They need a lot, that is why adopting a pet is a commitment.

By giving a pet as a gift, you run the risk of giving your loved one a responsibility that they do not have the time for or that they can’t afford.

They Might Not Like it

Possibly the worst-case scenario is that they just do not like the pet that you have gifted them. This is always a possibility and a scary one at that!

They might not have wanted a pet or do not like the one that you chose for them. They might secretly hate cats, and what will happen if you get them a cat? Someone might also really want a pet but want a specific kind. This makes it easy to give them a pet that they don’t really want.

This creates an awkward and difficult situation for everyone, with a helpless animal in the middle.

It May Not Be Age-Appropriate

It is very common for people to give pets as gifts to people who are older or to children. While this may seem like the perfect gift at first, upon close inspection, it really isn’t a good idea at all.

Giving a puppy to someone who is elderly may seem great at first, but it really isn’t good for either party. Puppies are a lot of work and require more energy than most elderly people have. It is also unfair to the puppy since they will most likely outlive their owner, and then what will happen to them?

Giving a pet as a gift to a child also isn’t a great idea. Children may love having a pet as a gift at first, but eventually, the excitement will run out, and they will be faced with a big responsibility that many children are not ready to handle. Once again, this is unfair for both the child and the animal, who will be neglected if the child’s parent does not step up.

It Teaches Children the Wrong Mindset About Animals

Giving pets as a gift also gives children the wrong frame of mind around animals. It can often make a pet look disposable and unimportant.

They may grow up thinking that it is okay to throw away their gifted dog much like they would a toy that they no longer like. This can create the harmful mindset of animals being objects that can be disposed of, rather than sentient beings/

This is very bad for children and pets and can cause children to grow up into unkind adults who think that animals are here for human enjoyment only.

They Might not be Able to Bond

Another risk that you take when giving a pet as a gift is that the gift receiver and the pet may not be able to bond. One of the biggest benefits of adopting an animal for yourself is that you get to spend time with the animal beforehand. This gives you the chance to bond with the animal and know if your personalities mesh well.

By giving someone a pet, you are taking away their opportunity to choose the pet for themselves. This could mean that they do not get along or that their personalities clash.

For example, giving a very quiet and calm person a very hyper and loud dog isn’t going to go over extremely well. It is very important that pets and their owners have some similarities. That way, they can bond more closely and become better companions.

If you give a pet as a gift, you are really running the risk of creating an incompatible combination. In the end, it could end badly not only for the person you gave the pet to, but also for the poor, unwanted animal themself. 

Adopt Don’t Shop

If you still are positive that getting a pet is a good idea for your situation, then make sure to adopt and not shop! There are so many animals in shelters waiting to find their forever homes. Don’t Support a cruel puppy mill or breeder. Instead, give a home to one of the many animals waiting to find a loving family.

If you’ve decided that it might be best to opt for a different kind of gift this holiday season, we have so many guides for you below!

• The Environmental and Social Impact of Top Holiday Gifts
• 10 Last Minute Anti-Consumerist Holiday Gifts
• 15 Homemade Vegan Chocolates That Make Great Holiday Gifts!
• 10 Last-Minute Homemade Christmas Gifts That’ll Make Someone Smile
• Our Cruelty-Free, Eco-Friendly and All Around Awesome Holiday Gift Guide For 2018
• 5 Simple Gifts That Can Be Made From Upcycled Materials
• Need a Last-Minute Holiday Gift? Sponsor an Animal in Someone’s Honor!
• DIY Gifts and Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Gen-Z Made with Items at Home!
• 7 Reasons Why Pets Make Terrible Holiday Gifts

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