The Benefits of Sharing a Pet

The most obvious benefit of sharing a pet is that it can keep existing bonds intact, preserving relationships that would otherwise end when a pet that's spent years within a family goes with one party instead of another. No one wants to say goodbye to a beloved dog or cat if they don’t have to.

When sharing a pet, you may want to begin by establishing who’s the rightful owner. The person who registers and renews the license tag is most likely to be seen as the owner in court. You’ll want to divvy up support costs as well, discussing everything from basic pet care needs to medical care, grooming, travel arrangements, and so on. That way everyone will know what they’re responsible for ahead of time.

Sharing a Pet with Other Pets

Sometimes the pet you want to share is not the only pet involved. Getting along with an existing pet in a new location can be challenging, but when introduced properly, many cats and dogs work out their differences over time. Here’s how to help two dogs, two cats, or a cat and a dog get along better.

What’s Best for Your Pet

Sometimes the best thing for us isn’t best for our pet. Young puppies and kittens do best when raised within a single household. Also, some pets grow more attached to a particular person, and are better off living permanently with that one person than being separated from the person over and over again.

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