What Do You Wish You Had Known Before Adopting Your Pet?

Photo: Chendongshan (Shutterstock)

Even the most devoted animal lover will tell you that every pet adoption comes with unexpected challenges and lessons. For instance, my roommate shares custody of a hamster with her boyfriend; I wish she had known more about just how much hamsters like to work themselves into a tizzy on their wheels all throughout the night. Another one of my friends learned about steep vet costs for her dog the hard way. By “the hard way,” I do mean that her collie got sick after trying to eat a subway rat. From finances, to time, to emotional attachments—you won’t be able to predict all the investments that come with a new pet in your life.

I’m turning to you, dear Lifehacker readers, for all the wisdom you wish you had acquired before bringing a new pet into your home. Did you adopt an animal during quarantine and are now struggling with the decision? How can you know if you’re ready to fully commit to a creature that will rely on you for everything? Did you accidentally force your roommate to discover that she sorta hates hamsters?

Please tell us all your surprising tips, horror stories, and heartwarming tales that came from adopting your furbaby. (I didn’t like typing out “furbaby” any more than you liked reading it.) Maybe you formed an unexpected bond with a partner’s cat, or you underestimated how much a good dog sitter costs, or you’re still stuck wondering if you need to get pet insurance for your kid’s hedgehog. With your insight, we’ll be able to compile a list of necessary questions that people must ask themselves before adopting a pet—the sort of questions that are in the best interest of both the adopter and the adoptee. And if you have any dog pictures to share, I won’t say no.

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