4 Reasons Why You Should Consider Adopting a Second Pet

A second pet is not for everyone, but sometimes a one pet household needs to expand. Smaller homes, or those living in a single residence may be okay with having just one pet, but perhaps larger homes and families would prefer multiple pets. A second pet, either the same animal the household already has or a completely new type of animal could benefit an owner and the other pet.

Here are some reasons why you should consider a second pet.

1. A Second Pet Will Keep Your First Pet Company.

While some pets do prefer to have their own house and enjoy being the only pet in the household, other pets do appreciate a friend. Multiple pets can help maintain the structure of one’s household because having a playmate for each pet will relieve their energy, lower aggression, and heighten the happiness in both of the pets. Petfinder.com says that getting a second pet, in this case getting a second cat, can provide the other pet with exercise, social interaction, and mental stimulation. Everyone needs a companion, and depression can be found in pets that live alone, similarly to how depression is found in people who live alone.

2. A Second Pet Will Help Decrease Allergies in Children.

Normally, allergies within children occur in homes with one sole animal (i.e. one cat or one dog) due to the limited exposure the child has to different types of animals. Petfinder.com states that the National Institutes of Health says that children raised in multi-pet households are less likely to develop allergic conditions whether to animals or to seasonal issues. Kids that live in a home with multiple different pets are at a reduced risk for some hypersensitivity to common allergens such as animals, or grass, or dust mites.

3. Adopting a Second Pet Will Save Lives.

Adopting a second pet will take one pet off of the streets or save it from euthanization in a shelter. If someone adopts a second pet, not only are they welcoming a new part of the family into the household, but they are rescuing an animal that needed a loving home. ASPCA.org says that approximately 6.5 million companion animals enter into animal shelters nationwide every single year. Each year, 1.5 million shelter pets are euthanized because no one decides to adopt them in time. If an owner chose to get a second pet, they would be adopting a dog or a cat from a shelter thereby saving that pet from being killed. If one chooses to get their second family pet, adopting from a kill shelter is one of the best ways to go about it.

4. A Second Pet – If A Different Animal – Will Give An Owner More Experience.

If one were to get a second pet that is a different animal than the one they already own, it would help the owner learn more about taking care of other types of pets. For example, if someone who only had a cat in their lifetime adopted a second pet – a dog – they would gain the experience of learning how to care for both types of animals. This expands the owner’s variety of knowledge, which can be helpful in the future. Owning different types of pets (cats, dogs, lizards, birds, guinea pigs, etc.) allows for the owner and anyone else living in the house to learn how to take care of different species. AnimalPlanet.com says that there are many health benefits to owning multiple species of pets such as limiting the risk of depression, anxiety, and possibly also limiting the risk of the owner having a heart attack.

A second pet could be very beneficial in one’s household, so be sure to take into consideration these reasons to get a second animal for your home.

Would you ever consider adding a second pet to your household? Why or why not? Share your answer with us in the comments!