Tips and Advice for First-Time Pet Owners

Americans love their pets — and we have a lot of them. As of 2017, we owned 89 million dogs, 94 million cats, and 139 million freshwater fish. (To say nothing of birds, horses, and reptiles, which also number in the millions.) Sixty-eight percent of American households have a pet, and plenty of us consider them a member of the family. But there also exists that rarest of breed – the first-time pet owner. If you count yourself in this category, read on for some tips and advice on how to welcome an animal into your home for the first time.

Which Breed Is Right for You?

Probably the first step in choosing a pet is just taking a look around. What’s your living situation? If you own a home with a picket fence and a backyard, then get that English mastiff you’ve always wanted. But if you have roommates or a modest apartment with neighbors, then maybe a tabby that dozes all day is more your speed.

Here are other questions you might ask yourself:

⦁ How much time will you be spending with your pet?
⦁ How physically active are you?
⦁ How often will you be home?

It goes without saying, but you should never get a pet you’re allergic to. No matter how cute you think it is, you won’t be cuddling with it for long if you sneeze or break out in rashes every time you pick it up.

Preparing Your Home

Now that you’ve decided which pet you want, what’s the best way to prepare your home for its arrival? First, make sure that you’ve stocked up on an inventory of pet supplies. These might include toys, collars, leashes, a good bed, water and food bowls, and all the kibbles and bits that your pet desires. Book an appointment with a trusty veterinarian. You should also be ready to clean up the inevitable pet-made messes. Invest in pet-friendly cleaning supplies and a top-notch vacuum to keep pet hair in check. Finally, prepare for a natural disaster or a home fire by coming up with a pet emergency plan. It should include an escape plan, emergency contact information, and a pet “go bag.”

Helping Your Pet Acclimate

One surefire way to acclimate your pet to its new home is to be consistent. Come up with a routine and stick to it so that you create a sense of normalcy. Order and stability are especially important if you choose a rescue animal. Figure out how often it was kenneled or walked before you adopted it so that you can merge its old habits into its new schedule. If your pet seems nervous or fearful, don’t worry – it may have come from a chaotic household. Be patient with it, and always gentle, so that it learns to trust you. Many of the same accommodating techniques apply to an elderly pet, except that you should be even more careful about making your household quiet and soothing. Designate a space where it can rest, and find out which foods its used to so that you can transition it to a new diet with minimal disruption to its health.

Bonding with Your Pet

Now comes the fun part: bonding with your pet. What your pet likes to do will depend on the animal itself. The point is to play with it, let it romp in the backyard or go on walks with it around the block, and include it in family activities. A good nap in the sunlight never hurt, either.

Getting a pet is a big step, one that shouldn’t be taken lightly. However, with some proper planning, preparation, and tender, loving care, you and your new (furry) best friend will soon embark a very happy life together.

Image via Unsplash

Article by 

Jessica Brody

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