1. Understand Your Investment

Pet care is becoming increasingly expensive, so it’s important to understand what types of costs you can expect. Beyond the initial adoption fee, you’ll need to budget for food, supplies, and services, such as vet care, training, grooming, and boarding, not to mention potential medical emergencies. The cost of pet ownership can add up: the average annual cost of owning a cat can be between $760 and $3,495.² For a dog, the average cost can range from $1,390 to $5,295.³

1. Socialize and Train Your Pets

Socializing your pet from an early age develops confidence and reduces anxiety. Training builds trust and mutual respect, and it teaches your pet what behaviors are acceptable, while also providing opportunities to bond with your pet. Most importantly, train your pet to understand basic obedience instructions. In an emergency, commands like “sit” and “stay” could save your pet’s life.

1. Keep Them Healthy

Regular pet health care includes annual wellness visits, routine vaccinations, deworming and flea and tick preventatives, and dental care. Investing in routine pet healthcare can actually help you save money by reducing the risk of expensive but avoidable health issues. Many pet insurance plans offer optional preventative care benefits that cover routine annual expenses.

Grooming and hygiene, including regular brushing, bathing, and dental care, also contribute to good health.

A well-balanced diet and regular exercise are crucial to helping your pet maintain a healthy weight, build muscle, and maintain a strong immune system. Regular exercise also provides the mental stimulation that keeps pets happy.

1. Keep Them Safe

Proper identification is vital in the event your pet escapes or becomes lost. Microchipping, along with secure collars and identification tags, will enable your pet to be identified. Make sure you follow local pet licensing ordinances so you can be contacted if your pet is found. Always secure your dog on a leash during walks and in public spaces to help prevent accidents and potential conflicts with people and other animals.

1. Plan for Emergencies

Because accidents and illnesses happen no matter how careful you are, it’s important to plan ahead. Pet insurance covers a wide range of conditions, from fractures to cancer. It reimburses you for a percentage of your pet’s covered expenses, such as diagnostics, procedures, and medications.

1. Give Them Love

Pets need love and attention and deserve back the unconditional love they give to us throughout their lives. Pets are good for our mental health—providing us with companionship and a sense of well-being. As responsible pet parents, we should work hard to do the same for them.

The allure of a new furry family member can be hard to resist, but before you jump in, make sure you’re ready to be a responsible pet parent.

¹ 2026 Pet Owner Survey: 1 in 3 Pet Owners Spend More on Their Pet Than on Their Own Health Needs Each Month. U.S. News. www.usnews.com/insurance/pet-insurance/pet-owner-cost-survey, February 2, 2026.
² The Cost of Cat Parenthood in 2025. The Dog People. www.rover.com/blog/cost-of-cat-parenthood, Retrieved February 12, 2026.
³ The True Cost of Dog Ownership: A Financial Breakdown. The Wall Street Journal. www.wsj.com/buyside/personal-finance/pet-insurance/cost-of-owning-dog, October 1, 2025.