Getting a new pet home can be an exciting experience. It is all the more exciting for kids and for first-time pet owners. You should remember that you are not getting a toy, but a living being. The pet is entering a new home and you need to help it get adjusted.
Before you bring the pet home, you need proper preparation. Ensure you and your home are both ready to welcome the pet. We have some useful tips to help you get ready to welcome a new pet.
Tips to welcome a new pet home
1. Know about the pet
This is essential when you are a first-time pet owner. Know more about the pet animal you are bringing home. Understand its food habits and behavior. This will help you plan things like:
- What food to give your pet?
- Does the pet require a separate sleeping place?
- Whether the pet can be toilet trained and how to do it.
- What kind of exercise the pet needs.
2. Assign responsibilities
Before even getting a pet, talk to the family members. Ensure everyone is in agreement. If a few of them are not in favor of the idea, it could create problems. You need to ensure everyone welcomes the pet and is involved in taking care of it. You could assign responsibilities to everyone, including kids. This would include everyone getting to spend time with the pet while taking care of its needs.
3. Pet-proof your house
Pets like dogs and cats are excitable animals. They love to explore things and can get into trouble. You need to pet-proof your home to prevent nasty accidents. Some of the things to do:
- Ensure there are no loose wires that your pet would chew.
- Cover the lids of garbage bins.
- Avoid leaving small objects on the floor or where your pet can access them.
- Never allow your pet to get access to chemicals.
- Ensure fragile objects that can break are kept away from the pet’s reach.
- Open fireplaces can be screened off.
- Block the gaps behind appliances and cupboards.
- Close any gap through which your pet can leave the home.
4. Get things ready
You need to keep things ready for your pet. Don’t go around searching for them after the pet comes home. Plan well in advance and keep them ready.
- You need a pet home or sleeping area. This includes cages for birds and hamsters. Dogs and cats need a basket or a bed to sleep in.
- Cats need a litter tray and it should be kept away from food trays.
- Food trays and bowls are needed to feed the pet. This includes water bowls
- You may need a basket to carry the animal.
- Toys are essential to keep the pet engaged. This can include toys or objects that your pet would chew.
- A scratching post for cats would be helpful and prevent damage in your house.
- You will need a collar and lead for dogs.
- Grooming equipment like brush and comb would be needed for dogs
- Food supplies need to be in place, so you have food and treats ready to offer. Finalize a vendor (store or online marketplace) to buy supplies.
- Finalize the vet who would treat your pet. Choose a vet you know or who stays nearby. You can take the pet to the vet before bringing it home. The vet will tell you what injections are needed and will also let you know how often you should bring the pet for check-ups
- You can also consider getting pet insurance.
5. Get the pet from a reliable source
Unscrupulous breeders resort to unethical tactics to sell pet animals. The breeding is done unscientifically and the pet can end up having genetic diseases. This can be heartbreaking for pet owners. Avoid buying from breeders. Try to adopt a pet. If not, buy from someone you know or from a reputed organization.
You can talk to the vet and ask them to recommend ethical places where you can get pets. This will ensure the pet you get is healthy and free from problems.
6. Talk to other pet owners
You can get first-hand information on owning and taking care of pets from other pet owners. You can join pet communities online. Such communities would have resources to help you get your new pet to settle down at home. In case of any problems, the community will be willing to offer you suggestions and advice. In fact, being part of such communities can also help you get information on where you can buy or adopt a pet.
Pets can bring so much joy into anyone’s life. Use these tips to prepare yourself and your home for your wonderful new furry friend.Animal photos from Dreamstime Stock Photos
