How do I know if getting another pet is a mistake?
Adding another pet introduces major lifestyle trade-offs and risks disrupting the established bonds and routines of your current household. The actual difficulty lies in weighing whether the daily burden—such as early-morning walks or overwhelmed existing animals—will be worth the impact on your family.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
- 1Saying no and sticking to it
- 2Having the child do practice walks around the block for 20 minutes every 4 hours to test commitment
- 3Waiting until the current dog passes away before deciding
- 4Getting an adult rescue instead of a puppy
- 5Adopting one dog first before adding a second
- 6Waiting until the first dog reaches maturity around two years old before getting a second dog.
- 7Adopting a bonded pair
- 8Getting an adult or senior cat who prefers being a solo pet
- 9Refusing to rush into getting a puppy, asking experienced dog owners for a realistic take on the challenges, and considering potential health and behavioral issues beforehand.
- 10Doing a trial foster run before committing
- 11Adopting with the option to return the dog if it is not a good fit
- 12Seeking reassurance and advice from other multi-dog owners
- 13Evaluating home size, financial affordability, and how current pets handle the new animals
- 14waiting until current children are older and out of the baby phase
- 15setting a strict age deadline for when to stop having children
- 16fostering another cat temporarily to test compatibility
- 17providing toys like rod toys and lasers to entertain the pet
- 18leaving the pet alone while working full time
- 19Asking shelter staff to match with older cats or 'loner' cats that prefer to be the only pet
- 20Adopting a single cat initially and considering adding a second pet later if lifestyle permits
- 21playing with the cat and trying to provide enrichment
- 22getting a second cat or kitten to keep the first one company
- 23waiting weeks or months until feeling ready
- 24adopting immediately to cope with heartbreak
- 25letting fate decide when a stray appears
- 26browsing local shelters or pet store adoption areas to test readiness
- 27asking for opinions on online forums and evaluating pros and cons from experienced owners
- 28Leaving the second puppy with the rescue to let her find her own family
- 29Focusing entirely on training and adjusting to the single puppy already at home
- 30Looking into fostering the second puppy temporarily to see how it goes
In their words
Unedited, most upvoted first, each linked to the thread it came from.
“My hesitation is not about liking dogs. It is that I know exactly who is going to be walking it at six in the morning.”source ↗
“For people who did this was the child actually involved in any meaningful way, or is that a story parents tell themselves going in? And did it change anything for the kid in a way that made the rest of it worth it?”source ↗
“All this to say, my main concern is if I am able emotionally to handle two dogs. I have a really deep bond with my girl and I don't want to ruin that. I guess I'm just scared that if I introduce another dog I'll be focused on giving them both what they need and won't be able to have the same relationship with my current dog.”source ↗
“Hi, my boyfriend and I got our first cat a little over a month ago, she is a 1 year old spayed female. She has been doing well and seems to be fully settled in. She is cuddly, affectionate, outgoing, outspoken, and playful. She doesn’t seem to be scared of much and has never purposefully scratched or bit my boyfriend and I. I have noticed when my boyfriend is at work and I go to do laundry in the hallway outside of my apartment I can hear her crying from the laundry room. I’m not sure if this is something she does when both my boyfriend and I are at work but I think it’s safe to assume she does? She likes to play at night and sometimes she will cry when she’s in the living room playing. She does a lot of laying around during the day, we do play with her and try to provide enrichment. Does it sound like she would like a companion?”source ↗
“I would really rather adopt just one cat for now, but I hear so many people saying it’s bad for them…”source ↗
“As an ADHDer, I just know that if I have 2 right away, I’ll start to worry about nonsense stuff and just start creating problems that don’t exist.”source ↗
“Is it okay? Or is it really better for them to have friends right away?”source ↗
“The dilemma is that the rescue just called and said they knew we were interested in the other pup and wanted to know if we'd like to adopt and they would cover the costs of adoption and spay.”source ↗
“I still think this would be a lot of work for my wife and I down the road and also put extra stress on our older dog who has been getting along with the new pup.”source ↗
“Just trying to see what would be best for the long haul.”source ↗
“I was debating on getting a cat, but I don’t want them to be lonely while I’m at work. Plus I feel like they may want another cat around to play with”source ↗
“I just lost a soul kitty almost 2 weeks ago after 14+ years together. Before her passing and after I thought I’ll never get a cat again or it will be YEARS because this was traumatizing and I don’t know if I can handle another loss like this.”source ↗
“I get excited looking at cats for adoption but at the same time I can’t imagine having another cat in all the places my other cat would be.”source ↗
“How did you know it was the right time?”source ↗
“I do wonder whether he would be happier with a little companion or whether he is completely comfortable by himself...”source ↗
“My best friends neighbor has some mystery puppies and I am in love with one of them. That said I currently have 2 chihuahuas that I rescued after the puppy phase. We think the puppies may be medium sized based on the mom. But since I haven’t dealt with a puppy in a while, I’m looking for some just general advice/commentary on what to expect if I do take this puppy. Trying to be responsible and not let the cuteness lead to bad decisions.”source ↗
“I am just worried if getting a 3rd cat could maybe ruin their bond somehow? Or have the sister be even more overwhelmed with another cat?”source ↗
“I’m not sure if I should take her inside or leave her outside.”source ↗
“What happens if you get another cat and your 3 yr old hates it? Now things are worse.”source ↗
“I adopted a new cat 36 hours later because I was so heartbroken and couldn’t stand to be without him”source ↗
“my two are completely different personalities and i was terrified i'd mess up the dynamic with my first.”source ↗
“I find it stressful to bring a new dog home, but it’s been worth it for me.”source ↗
“They’re so cute I think I want one but what are the pros and cons?”source ↗
“I don't really know if I don't want it, if I never let myself be influenced by my kid I will always be the same and never challenge myself, I am sure there is a part of me that wants the dog, I am here to discuss the effects and if it's worth it for the family.”source ↗
“I am not sure if this is something where I should give it a set period of time after the older dog dies, or if I should consider jumping right back in and looking to adopt after this dog dies. And I’m also unsure if I should adopt one dog or two.”source ↗
“Wait till the puppy brain fully turns off, around 2 years old ish. I jumped too early once and ended up with two chaos gremlins feeding off each others energy instead of the calm mentor you're hoping for.”source ↗
“I just don’t know if it’s the right time but will I ever know”source ↗
“I worry about my relationship with my current kids being strained and with my husband.”source ↗
“My question is, how crazy would it be to have 4 cats?”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
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- 2Should I sell my unused second car or keep it as a backup?