Why You Shouldn’t Give a Pet as a Gift

Are you thinking about giving someone a furry friend as a holiday gift? Maybe it’s time to think about this one again. Although dogs and puppies are the cutest little bundles of joy, they also come with huge financial and emotional responsibilities.

If you are giving someone a dog that truly wants and is ready for this large responsibility then go for it, but it’s important to know that dogs that are given as gifts likely end up in a shelter. There can be problems when the person receiving the dog as a gift isn’t involved in the process of choosing the pet. 

Here are some reasons why you shouldn’t give a pet as a gift:

Recipient Might Not Have the Money

Over the span of a dog’s life, they can cost a great deal of money, especially for someone who isn’t ready for this kind of responsibility. Not only will the recipient have to pay for the proper vaccinations, but they will also have to pay for microchipping services, proper training, veterinary treatments, dental care, and, of course, pet food, grooming, cleaning, toys, and bedding. If the recipient is not financially ready for this type of commitment, then it is best to look elsewhere for a gift. 

Recipient Might Not Have the Time or Energy 

Taking care of a dog is a huge time commitment. Not only do dogs need their daily walks, but they also need proper training and food and water at certain times of the day. This is a big commitment for someone who is not used to taking care of an animal and this can lead to dogs being sent back to shelters. 

Recipient Might Not Have Wanted That Kind of Pet

If the recipient wasn’t involved in the process of choosing the pet, they could have preferred a different kind of animal. In some cases, this can lead to the recipient treating the pet poorly and not making the effort to give it the care it needs. 

Might Not be Age Appropriate 

Young children and older adults do not have the time, money, or attention span to give the care the animal needs throughout its lifetime. What might have been considered a gift could potentially become a burden on the person if the pet requires more than what they can handle. Oftentimes, these animals end up in a shelter within the first few years after it was gifted.