Mary Allen
Some of the greatest moments in life include the day we meet our new pet for the first time, the day we adopt them, and the day they finally come home with us.
Here are Ten Things to Keep in Mind Before Getting Your New Pet:
Do you have the time required?
Will you have time to go out with your dog three times a day? Do you remember to entertain your cat every night? If the answer is no and you do not have anyone who can help you with this, stop. Then consider getting a fish, a parakeet, or another animal that does not require as much of you.
Is your pet good for your lifestyle?
Choosing your new life partner based on how cute or popular it is is one of the biggest mistakes people make. All too often, these animals are left in a shelter when they are found to have “too much energy”, “too needy” or “too intolerant”. The list of causes can be made long.
Get to know the breed you are interested in and be open to regret it if you do not have the opportunity to give the animal what it needs based on its temperament. Ask many questions to those who take care of the animal at the adoption center/kennel. There are also several race-specific groups (can be found via Facebook) where you can ask your questions.
A contemporary example is a great demand for the Chihuahua breed. Yes, they are delightfully cute, have no preference for the size of their new home, and are reasonably “low maintenance”. However, they are rarely particularly tolerant of children and are one of the breeds known to have bitten children without much provocation.
Even a cat must suit your personality. Some cats need a lot of attention and interaction, while others are more independent. Do your research and make a wise choice.
Talk to veterinarians before picking up your new pet
Before deciding which animal and breed are right for you, talk to your loved ones and ask for recommendations for a good veterinarian. A veterinarian can be an invaluable source of information and can help you choose the animal that best suits you and your lifestyle. No two veterinarians are alike and you want a veterinarian to suit you and your needs. This will be a lifelong relationship and hence the choice is important. Again, do your research.
A little tip: do not base your choice solely on the vet’s kindness towards people (ie towards you). A good veterinarian is often even better at handling animals than humans. If possible, ask your veterinarian for references.
Make your home a safe place for your pet
Did you know that something as small as chewing gum can be deadly to a dog? Or that ibuprofen is toxic to cats? It is important that you go through your home now, before your new pet moves in, to look through the home for potential dangers. Move things so that the animal can not reach them, or remove them from your home completely. This includes cabinets, kitchen counters, small toys, chemicals stored on the floor, cords, etc. Also, go through your plants to see if any of them may be toxic.
Choose the right feed based on age and breed
Not all animal feeds contain the same things. Some are better than others, while others claim things that are not always fact-based. It would be easy to just pick a bag from the shelf, but this will not guarantee your animal’s health in the best way. Choose the best food for your dog or cat and always check the label where it is defined what the food contains.
From your pet’s young years to when they become seniors, the choice of feed should be based on your animal’s specific needs, according to age and activity level. You can do your own research to find out which feed is best suited for your pet, but to be completely sure, consult with your veterinarian.
Be prepared for a transition period
If you are going to adopt a puppy – be prepared that he will cry. Just like babies, puppies cry during the first nights in their new home. However, it is not a good idea to let the puppy sleep in your bed to calm it down. The best thing you can do is, before you take the puppy home, prepare a quiet, secluded sleeping place. Choose a place that can become the “puppy’s place”. During the day, however, you can let the puppy roam around freely in your home so that he can smell and examine everything. This also gives you the opportunity to discover some dangers you missed picking away.
Bedtime for a cat makes slightly fewer demands. Prepare the kitten’s sleeping place in a safe place near its litter box, so that the cat does not get lost when looking for it.
Be careful when introducing a new pet to a home where a dog or cat already lives. Make sure your previous pet does not feel threatened or try to push the newcomer away.
Raise your pet
If your lovely home is to remain your lovely home, you must immediately start training your pet to be room clean. If you have brought home a kitten, introduce it to the litter box as soon as you get home. If it’s a puppy, put on that leash and go out and walk so it’s getting to know its new neighborhoods. Many puppies get nervous about their new environment and you do not want to scare them. In the beginning, the puppy only needs short walks. When the puppy fulfills his needs outdoors, reinforce the behavior through praise.
Choose the right sweets and toys
Having the right candy is important – especially for puppies. Candy is one of the best tools to use when training your dog. Experiment with a few different varieties and choose the one that your dog seems to like the most. The puppy will want to do everything to get that candy, including staying by your side even though a whole herd of cats runs past and grabs the dog’s attention. Always bring some sweets with you to be able to train the dog if the opportunity arises.
Be consistent when giving your puppy candy. It is easy to fall for the temptation and give the dog candy even if it has not earned it. However, too much candy can lead to obesity – even if you have chosen a healthy candy.
Dog toys should not consist of anything that can be torn off and swallowed. Instead, choose rubber balls (these are harder to tear), puppy-safe stuffed animals, or legs made of hard-woven nylon. Ask other dog owners for tips and advice.
Popular cat toys include feather sticks and laser pens. And, do not forget the old goodies: catnip and old boxes. Of course, cats also love candy, so follow the advice above when choosing candy for your cat.
Consider neutering or neutering your pet
Castration can usually be performed as early as eight weeks of age. Most often, however, castration is performed at the age of 4 to 6 months and thus in good time before the animal reaches puberty. Some pet owners choose not to neuter their pet based on a feeling that the animal will lose part of its identity, or that the animal will lose the feeling that it will defend itself or its owner. This is not true.
The best thing you can do for your pet is to have it neutered/sterilized. Yes, the animal generally becomes less aggressive after neutering, but that does not make the dog less anxious to defend himself or his family. Your bitch will also not feel less worthy because she can not have puppies. It is worse for her to give up her puppies than not to give birth to any at all. She will not understand the difference. However, she will run a lower risk of breast and ovarian cancer. If you feel unsure, ask your veterinarian for advice.
Get your pet ID marked
Finally, make sure to get a chip installed on your puppy/kitten. If he ever runs away (something that happens to everyone at some point), you want to know that he can be returned to you. Provide the animal’s necklace with your contact details and make sure you have photos available. This allows you to both follow your pet’s development, but when the day comes when the animal runs away, you want to be able to have updated photos to set up. You may also want to consider installing a GPS transmitter on your pet’s collar.
A microchip is the best way to identify an animal and combining this with a collar makes it possible to find a stray pet. Remember to update your contact information with the company that provides the information in the chip.
Will you have time to go out with your dog three times a day? Do you remember to entertain your cat every night? If the answer is no and you do not have anyone who can help you with this, stop. Then consider getting a fish, a parakeet, or another animal that does not require as much of you.