You mustn’t rush into bringing a new pet home. Instead, before getting a furry friend, you should follow a few steps to ensure that both you and your home are prepared for your new family member. From researching your new pet to buying the right pet care products, here is a comprehensive list of what you need to do before starting your new life with your pet.
Research the Pet
Researching the type of pet that you want, from its species to its breed, is essential so that you can understand its potential temperament and how you will be able to care well for them. To research your new pet, you should look for online guides from reputable sources, such as animal shelters and charities, as well as consider investing in pet ownership books. You can also attend pet ownership classes at your local pet store or shelter, which is especially essential if you are a first-time owner or if you are adopting a puppy or kitten.
Meet Your New Furry Friend
Meeting your new furry friend is paramount, as this will allow you to check that the animal is a good fit for your family. You should always ask to spend time with them, including taking it for a walk, as this will help you to determine their health, their reactions to different surroundings, their personality, and the reliability of the breeder. You should also ask to see their mother and living situation if you are buying an animal from a breeder.
Sign Up to a Vet
Signing up to a vet before you bring your new friend home will ensure that you are instantly covered if your pet becomes ill within the first few days of ownership. You should always make sure that you take your new pet to a vet within a few days of bringing them home, and you should try to arrange 24 hours with the breeder which will allow you to return the animal if it is ill. At heartandpaw.com, they can help to give your pet the care that they need as a young animal through to old age. At the same time, you should also ensure that you have taken out pet insurance, which can cover the costs of any vet care that your pet incurs throughout its lifetime.
Make Your Home Safe
Pet-proofing your home will ensure that your pet is not injured and that your home will be not be damaged by your new pet. For instance, you should lock chemicals and toxic liquids away in a cabinet, which is unreachable to your pet, as well as any poisonous plants and foodstuffs which could harm your pet. You should also remove any treasured possessions that your animal may damage, such as wooden trinkets. You may also consider placing covers and protectors on tables and chairs to protect them from unruly claws and teeth.
Invest in the Right Equipment
Most pet owners will want to give their pets the best, and you can do this by investing in the right equipment and supplies for them. This will ensure that you are prepared for your pet as soon as they are ready to move in. However, before you get to know what your pet likes, you should buy a selection of products for them to try and ensure that you do not buy a lot of supplies that your pet may not end up using in the long term.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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