A Puppy is Not Just for Christmas, It’s Furever

🎄 A puppy is not just for Christmas, it’s for life. 🎄

This headline may sound like a poetic slogan and not one anyone wants to hear during the festive season but… Take a moment to think of all those pawsome pets sitting behind bars in shelters while we’re eating roast turkey with all the trimmings…

Once loved, these treasured doggos (and cats) are now leftovers waiting to be chosen for a fresh start.

Why isn’t a puppy for Christmas a good idea?

No one plans to disown their perfect puppy but not everybody is really ready to make that commitment for the long term. The last thing any of us should do is make that commitment on someone else’s behalf. It’s the real reason not to give pets as unexpected gifts this year, or any year.

Giving up pets for adoption is not uncommon in New Zealand and it’s continuing to rise along with inflation. Then there’s the fact that animal shelters always see an increase in the early months of the year, once the festive shine has worn off.

Of course, there are some exceptions to the ‘a puppy is not for Christmas’ rule but before we go into them, watch this:

Exceptions to the rule

Of course there are some genuine exceptions, the obvious one being mums and dads gifting their little ones a pet. This one can work because the person presenting the puppy for Christmas is also ultimately going to be the one looking after its needs.

If this is you and you’re ready for the lifetime commitment of money, attention, time, training, pet insurance, etc, then go for it!

Preparation before gifting a puppy at Christmas

Perhaps you’re thinking of giving someone a puppy for Christmas where you expect them to be the primary caregiver? Wait!

They really do need to be fully involved beforehand. Speak to them and find out if they’re committed to becoming a pet parent. Even then, they should be involved in the decision making process around choosing the best type of pet and most appropriate breed for their lifestyle.

The general culture of gifting Christmas presents is keeping things hush hush because surprise is a big element. But because a puppy is not just for Christmas but rather for its whole life, this is an important exception.

Generally speaking, pets as Christmas gifts is a bad idea because it can be cruel to the pet and the person you’re giving it to. Ultimately we’d say you should exercise caution. Is it best to stay on the safe side with a non-pet-present?

Why a puppy is not just for Christmas, it’s for life

A puppy is a lifetime commitment – for the puppy’s lifetime that is – which can range around 10 to 20 years. Imagine thinking for one day “oh, so-and-so would find a puppy so cute” and expecting them to feel the same way day in day out for the next 15 or so years.

There’s always a chance that it works out and the two become inseparable. But there’s also the real chance they won’t have time to train their puppy or love it as much as it needs. There’s the chance they lose hope in themselves for not doing right by the furball. There’s also potential for the puppy to eventually be neglected or abandoned.

Many good people give up pets because they’re old or can’t financially care for a pet. Many Kiwis face a situation like this every day. As mentioned, pet surrenders are on the rise. If you find yourself in this situation because you can’t keep a pet you got for Christmas be sure to surrender it responsibly, to a reputable shelter.

7 reasons not to give a puppy for Christmas

Christmas is only one day. Don’t make a one-day decision that lasts decades unless you have the expressed consent and involvement from the person you’re gifting.

Following are seven reasons not to give a puppy as a Christmas gift:

1. Committing to a puppy is committing to a long-term relationship, which is a personal decision
2. A puppy is many years of costs in food, housing, healthcare and other items a person may not be ready for
3. Dog allergies are common even with people who love dogs. You could be giving a walking timebomb
4. Different dog breeds have vastly differing needs and may not suit a person’s lifestyle
5. Not everyone wants a puppy; even those who love them to bits should make that choice themselves
6. Ask yourself why you want to give a puppy for Christmas. Perhaps it’s actually you who’d like it but you’re not ready
7. Pets need to fit in with everyone in a household. This is why the people in that household need to decide

Becoming a first time pet owner takes enormous planning, responsibility and dedication. If you think about it, giving someone a gift should never come with so many expectations of them or obligations on them.

Don’t put anyone between a rock and a hard place. If you’re hooked on giving a puppy a better life, consider donating to a shelter or volunteering some of your time instead. You could even foster a dog.

Award winning dog insurance this Christmas

A puppy is not just for Christmas, it’s for life. If you’re getting a puppy for Christmas give them the gift of a good life, protected with pet insurance. With PD Insurance you have a choice of three dog insurance plans, all with different annual benefit limits. They cover accidents only, accidents + illness and accidents + illness + dental treatments.

Each offers up a wealth of health care benefits that in your pet’s hour of need could easily outweigh the month-to-month pennies you pay towards the plan. Plus with no lock-in contracts you can commit to safeguarding your pet without any added worries.

Find out about getting one or more months of award winning pet cover with PD pet insurance. Click below to get a quote.