Are you wondering if now is the right time to adopt a new furry family member? You’re not alone. Pet adoptions are soaring during COVID-19.
In many ways, there may never be a more ideal situation that gives you time to puppy train and settle into a new routine. Plus, pets bring comfort and unconditional love—highly welcome gifts during the pandemic.
And, if you are a type 1 diabetes (T1D) family, there is the added benefit that pets can lower stress, which helps manage blood-glucose levels.
But, before you start shopping for cute and cuddly, experts say you should pause and really weigh the benefits against the long-term commitment.
“During this very difficult time when it seems like everything is scary and we are bombarded with frightening hourly news updates, a dog would help divert my attention to focus on its needs, silly antics, and unconditional love,” said Christine Rhoads, Senior Development Manager at Breakthrough T1D’s San Diego Chapter.
Rhoads said she also has tried being a foster pet parent. But neither time did it work out as planned. “I ended up keeping them both.”
Benefits of Pet Ownership
Rhoads personal accounts are supported by data. According to a 2018 National Institutes for Health (NIH) article , pets may decrease stress, improve heart health, and even help children with their emotional and social skills.
Research also has shown there is a positive association between T1D youth with managed A1C levels and pet caretaking. In 2015, researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center published a study that found that incorporating routine pet care into a child’s diabetes self-care plan can significantly improve the child’s monitoring of their blood glucose levels, resulting in improved results.
“For children with T1D, pet ownership can reinforce lessons they are learning or may already have learned about managing their T1D…pets are a responsibility and so is managing T1D,” said Nicole Johnson, Senior Director of Behavioral Health and Psychology Research at Breakthrough T1D, who has T1D and two dogs Labradoodles, Lucy and Max. Lucy is a trained diabetes service animal.
Nicole Johnson’s dogs, Max (left) and Lucy (right).
“Lucy is a tremendous asset to my family,” Johnson said. “She cuddles with us when we are quiet and seems to know when we don’t feel well and watches over us. She also gets us moving and our nightly walks are a gift. It is on these walks that we talk and bond, sharing stories of our day.”
Other Considerations
While many people are living under stay-at-home orders, the situation is highly fluid. How long will you have time to sit and play with your puppy when normal life returns?
Rhoads said she is playing it safe. This time she will foster a pet. But first, she will get permission from her landlord, then begin searching for a foster animal through rescue networks.
“Anyone who’s had a dog knows that they bring joy and laughter and companionship—a real mental health booster,” Rhoads concluded. “Being at home 24/7 creates a unique opportunity to develop a routine and bond with a new pet/family member.”
But, she added, when her busy life returns, she does not want the pet to suffer by being left alone all day.
Still debating? Here are a few pros and cons to help you decide.
Pros of Pet Ownership:
- Stress reliever (scientific literature shows that stress can contribute to elevated blood glucose levels)
- Companionship and unconditional love
- Improved physical health (dog owners walk more regularly, which improves heart health and blood pressure).
- For families, spending time together with a pet offers additional opportunities to bond
- For children, pets can teach or reinforce responsibility
Cons of Pet Ownership:
- Every pet is a long-term commitment
- Limits flexibility when schedules and travel resume
- Later, your pet may need to spend more time alone than is healthy for the animal
- Time and patience is needed for training
- Financial burden (vet bills; supplies; pet security deposit and pet rent if you rent your home)
Additional Consideration:
- Is your living space big enough for a pet?
- If renting, are pets permitted?
- Consider the breed, size, age, and characteristics that will best suit you or your family (high energy, chill, lap dog, good with children)
- Call ahead as animal shelters and rescues have revised protocols for visits during the pandemic
