Should you give a pet as a present to someone?

Only if you already know that they want the pet, and you know the pet will be taken care of properly. Otherwise, no, it is not a good idea.

It is only a good idea if there has been much planning and involvement of the receiver in the process. Surprise pet gifts are too often disaster gifts.

There are many reasons. A pet should be added to a family only after much consideration of what type of pet is the best fit for the person/family, what time they have to devote to the pet, if they will travel often away from the pet, how many hours will the pet be left alone, does the person have the right environment for the safety of the pet, etc. The right pet for you may not be the right pet for someone else. You do not want to put an animal in a place where it may not be wanted or loved.

If you are considering adding a pet as a holiday gift in your own family, then wait until after the holiday to introduce the pet to your household. Wrap the collar or pet toy or some other gift for under the tree or at the holiday event and wait until things are back to normal after the holiday to actually bring the pet home. During holidays the hustle and bustle can frighten and stress pets who are already stressed from a move from the prior environment. There will be more noise, more people, less attention available and more potential harmful things around the house to which the pet will be exposed. Puppies can chew on and eat glass tree ornaments that can be fatal. Holiday foods can be left where a pet can get to them, and some, such as chocolate, can also prove fatal to some pets. Frightened kitties or puppies can run from an open door during the excitement of the holiday and be lost on the streets.

Too often an idyllic scene of kittens or puppies with bows on their necks under the tree or in a stocking is presented at the holiday time of year in photos and on TV ads. Do not let this move you to consider this as an appropriate present no matter how happy or warm and fuzzy the entire scene looks. That scene is staged. The unfortunate count of "disposed" pets received as gifts from well meaning givers is depressing. The pet should be given the optimum environment to do well so that it does not cause problems, just due to the stress, that will make the new owners give up and get rid of the pet before giving it a good chance to fit in the family.

Please see the related link for more information on this important subject.