Getting a New Pet? Here Are 6 Things You Need To Buy
There are so many benefits that come with owning a pet. Not only do they help to ease stress, but they are a great company to have around – no matter if you live alone or have a family.
However, when you’re thinking about getting a new pet, you’ll also want to think about the various costs that are associated with getting them.
It’s no secret that certain types of pets will cost you more in the long term, whether that be because of vet bills, pet insurance, or just general costs associated with caring for them.
It’s therefore important to consider exactly how much you can spend out on them in the first place.
If you’ve not made a final decision as to which pet is right for you, here are 6 of the potential costs that are associated with different pets, which could make this choice a little easier:
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Food and Water Bowls 
Whether you get a dog, cat, rabbit, guinea pig, lizard or hamster, you’ll need to purchase food and water bowls for them.
An essential thing to buy and place either within their hutch or around your house, it should be one of the main items on your list.
Thankfully, these aren’t the most expensive items, and you’ll be able to pick these up from more pet stores across the country or online for only a few dollars.
Hutch/Cage/Fish Tank 
If a rabbit, guinea pig, hamster, or a fish is the pet for you, then you’ll want to purchase somewhere for them to live/sleep throughout the day.
For a rabbit or guinea pig, this tends to be a hutch – which you can place either outside or inside your home.
A hamster, on the other hand, will require a cage, which, due to their size, is quite a small space for them to run about in, inside of your home.
For a fish, however, you’ll have to buy a fish tank for them to live in. If you’re getting several fish, this will have to be spacious so that the fish have plenty of room to swim around in.
Certain types of fish will also require different types of water (e.g., saltwater), a heater, a filter, plants, etc.
Thankfully, there are lots of stores that sell specialized fish tanks (such as an African cichlid tank) for you to choose from.
Lizards and other reptiles will require a habit (usually a terrarium) that’s temperature-controlled and placed under a heat lamp.
Pet Insurance 
If you think that a cat or a dog is the right pet for you, then you’ll want to consider buying pet insurance.
Covering them in case of an accident, certain veterinary bills, etc. it’s a must that should be on the top of your list. However, there are certain exclusions that you should be aware of.
Typically, these include dental disease, behavior issues, grooming, routine check-ups, preventative care, and pre-existing or hereditary conditions.
So make sure you’re aware of these beforehand.
Also, pet insurance doesn’t come cheaply. So you’ll want to compare and contrast different providers before settling on the right one for you.
You want to get the best possible price for what’s included, after all!
A Bed For Them To Relax in
Yet again, if you’re getting a dog or cat, you’ll want to buy a bed for them to sleep on.
Keep in mind, though, that sometimes they will end up sleeping on your bed, on the couch or in another area in your home – so don’t be disheartened if they don’t appreciate it all the time.
However, that’s not the same with all cats and dogs. Many will love their bed and use it as their own little haven to relax in at the end of the day.
Cost-wise, the bed will depend on the type of animal that you’re buying it for and the size you require.
Thankfully, like other items on this list, you can find affordable dog and cat beds, if you spend some time comparing various ones online.
Food and Treats 
No matter what type of pet you’re getting, you’re going to want to buy them food before you bring them home.
The cost of said food, of course, varies by the species of pet that you’re getting – e.g., dog food tends to be quite a lot more expensive than hamster food.
But with so many different brands selling the food, you’re bound to find a high-quality type without a large price tag attached to it.
In terms of treats, there are also lots to choose from, whether you’re looking for dog treats, cat treats, treats for your rabbit, or for your hamster.
Toys
Whether you’re getting a cat, dog, rabbit, hamster, lizard, or any other type of pet, you’ll want to buy toys for them.
Even if you’re getting a fish, you’ll want to fill their tank with unique accessories for them to enjoy!
Perhaps the most fun thing to purchase for your pet, you can spend your time collecting several toys for them to enjoy from the moment that you’ve brought them home.
Just keep in mind that unless they are fish, they will probably tear the toys apart with excitement – so don’t go spending hundreds of dollars on them as you might want to replace them soon after!
Final Thoughts
So, there you go! Those are six things you can buy ahead of your pet’s arrival.
Of course, what you buy is completely up to you and will depend on the type of pet that you have.
It’s also important to keep in mind that this is not a complete list, and there are certain things that you’ll require extra to this – for example, for a dog, you’ll also need to buy a lead, collar, harness, etc.
But hopefully, this has guided you in the right direction, and you now know a handful of the items that you’ll need to budget for!
