In recent years, it has become quite common to have pets to gain companionship. For the time being, a growing number of people are inclined to adopt domestic animals, making it a common tendency in modern society. In fact, this selection is likely to have a number of advantages to offer, including a positive contribution to the mental state of people, yet it also may present disadvantages, such as financial burden.
One of the most compelling advantageous sides to having a pet is a positive influence on mental condition of those looking after pets. In this digitalized era, a considerable number of people are prone to social isolation due to a rapid advancement of technology and virtual interaction, leading to challenges associated with socialization and a sense of loneliness. Many, especially introverted and elderly people, claim the sense of loneliness to be one of the most serious contributors to exacerbation of their mental state, and one of the ways for them to avoid this condition turned out to be animal care. According to psychologists, those having at least one domestic animal tend to have better mental health and less exposure to stress and anxiety thanks to the companionship that pets provide. Therefore, taking care of animals may act as a valid deterrent against this ongoing issue, thereby distracting pet parents from their problems.
Having said that, it is undeniable that possessing domestic animals could be prohibitively expensive. Not only do owners have to feed their pets with expensive animal food, but also grooming requires covering medical expenses, veterinary care in particular, cost of supply, which are often unaffordable for the majority of individuals. For instance, one portion of animal food, Whiskas, costs more than 2 dollars in my hometown, while cats can consume up to 100-150 portions per month. Correspondingly, maintenance of domestic animals may pose significant financial challenges for many families, which is one of the major drawbacks related to possessing pets.
Having taken all the aspects mentioned above into account, I concluded that despite having a positive impact on the mental well-being of pet parents, taking care of animals may induce financial issues. In my opinion, pets are the best option for those in need of social interaction, however, prior to adopting one, people ought to consider the financial side as well.