The festive season is in full swing, and whilst it might seem like the paw-fect Christmas gift to treat a loved one to a pet, PDSA Vet Nurse Nina Downing shares why it’s not a good idea.  

Nina says: “Although Christmas is a time for giving, we don’t recommend that pets are given as surprise gifts. 

“One of the most important parts of choosing a pet is making sure you choose the right pet for you, and just as importantly, ensuring you are right for them. By choosing for someone else, there is a risk that you might pick an unsuitable pet, for many reasons. Perhaps they can’t afford the lifetime of care needed, or maybe they don’t have time for a pet.  

“Even if you have the best intentions, alongside lots of research, it’s very difficult to know every detail of someone else’s life and responsibilities. Giving a pet as an unexpected gift might seem like a nice idea, but it could leave your loved one feeling stressed and overwhelmed. 

“If you are considering gifting a pet, be sure to discuss this with whoever you plan on gifting beforehand. By involving them in the decision, you can make sure they are ready for the commitment and have time to get their home ready. 

“If you do choose to surprise someone with a pet, you need to be prepared for the possibility that the new owner may not be able to care for them. Consider what you would do if this happened and be prepared to take on responsibility for the pet yourself. 

Are the holidays a good time to get a pet? 

The festive period is filled with fun and excitement, but that doesn’t necessarily make it the right time to bring a new pet home. Here are just a few reasons why: 

  • It’s a very busy time of year: Most of us have time off work for the holidays, so it might seem like the ideal time to bring a new member into the family. But that time is often filled with shopping trips, visiting friends and family, parties and noise – new pets need your time, a calm environment and routine to help them settle in. 
  • Christmas hazards: There are lots of extra hazards for pets at Christmas, including decorations, sparkling lights, festive foods and poisonous plants.  
  • Is it just the holiday talking? For many different reasons, the joy and happiness of the festive season often drives people to get new pets. But, if you are considering rehoming or buying a pet at any time of year, it’s important to remember that they are a lifelong commitment – a pet really is for life, not just for Christmas.  

 

Buying your children a pet for Christmas   

  • In the right situation, pets are great for children and children are great for pets – they can have lots of fun, keep each other company, and be an excellent way for you to teach them about caring and responsibility. However, while having a family pet can bring many positives, buying a pet for anyone, including your child over the festive period is not usually the best time.     
  • Buying a pet as a gift for your children at Christmas will mean that they miss out on the enjoyment of helping to choose their new friend. Why not wait until after the holidays are over, and then involve them in the excitement of getting ready to welcome home a new pet? 
  • Once the Christmas novelty and fun passes by, the reality of the responsibility of a pet may hit, and your child might find that caring for their furry friend day in day out isn’t as much fun as they thought. Remember that the care responsibilities and lifetime costs will still remain for the adult parent. 

 

What to get your children instead of a pet

If a pet is on your child’s Christmas list, but it isn’t the right choice for you, we’ve put together some alternatives that might bring a smile to their faces: 

  • A book about their chosen pet: A book can help them do some research about the pet they want – ‘the good’ and ‘the bad’ (like picking up dog poo!) – which will help them understand all of the responsibilities that come with being an owner. 
  • A toy version of the pet they want: From soft toys to electronic animals, there are lots of toy ‘pets’ available that need to be ‘looked after’. This works particularly well for young children, fuelling their imagination and giving them something to love and care for, that doesn’t have real life needs. 
  • Visit a conservation park or reputable zoo: Tickets are a great gift for animal-loving kids and mean they can look at and experience lots of different animals, without needing to bring one home. 

For more tips and advice for the festive period, download PDSA’s Christmas Survival Guide: www.pdsa.org.uk/xmas-survival-guide