Getting a new pet is an exciting time. It is a new member of your family and something that you will need to take responsibility for. As exciting as it is to have a new friend to spend time with, you need to always consider that there is a lot of work and preparation to do in order to guarantee your home is safe for your new addition. There is plenty to consider from their well-being, their happiness, and ultimately their security. Here are some factors to consider when welcoming a new pet into your home.
Food
You want to ensure that when you bring your new pet home, that you have enough food ready for them. This will vary from pet to pet, but you want at least a week’s worth of food first, and then you can stock up as soon as you know they are okay with the type of food you get. As important as it is to be prepared and have a lot of food ready, you want to avoid stockpiling too much in case they develop or already have certain food allergies, or simply don’t like the food you give them. Pets and animals can have different personalities, much like humans, and it is important to consider that as you supply their needs. Establish a spot in your home for their food and water bowls, and this will train them to know when and where they are permitted to eat.
Hygiene, Bathroom, And Cleaning
Bringing a pet home means taking care of them in different ways. Different pets have different cleaning and bathroom habits. Cats, for example, have a litter box that you need to consider, as the litter needs to be changed frequently. You’ll also want to ensure that you choose a spot to keep their litter in your home early. The sooner they understand where to use the washroom, the fewer messes you need to clean up. Other pets will have more basic bathroom habits, that will require just as frequent cleaning or changing of their habitats such as fish, reptiles, and birds. Dogs will need to be trained, but when you do take them on walks to do their business, you will need poop bags or belly bands for dogs. While training, keep paper towels or cleaning supplies stocked to take care of any accidents and messes.
Designated Space
When introducing a new pet into your home, you have to first provide them with a space of their own. This is important with most pets, even the ones that you will allow to roam around and explore on their own once they are more comfortable with their surroundings. Puppies and kittens need to be familiarized with their home, as they will feel overwhelmed when first brought in. with such large spaces, it would be easy to feel lost and panic. Establish their space with things that will bring them comfort, like a blanket or even their carrier or crate that they came in. For other pets, like birds or reptiles, they can be housed in enclosed spaces. You want to ensure that the size of the space is large enough for your pet. Getting cages or containers that are too small will create discomfort and can lead to emotional stress and anxiety in your pet, which would then progress into negative behaviors. Remember that each space is personalized for those pet needs, keeping in mind that reptiles will need heat lamps as an example. Check out oddlycutepets.com for a more ideal guide on choosing what type of reptile to bring home as a pet.
Socializing
If your pet is going to be around people, and they are free to roam your home when you have guests or other family members or even other pets around, you want to help them socialize. This means that you will need to train in various ways. This can mean different things, but for the most part, how you first interact with a new pet when you bring them home will set a basis on how they react to others. If you don’t want your pets to be aggressive around guests, you should not be encouraging aggressive play when they are young, even though you can withstand the minor pain of their teeth or claws. When you welcome your pet into their new home, treat and teach them in a manner that you want them to be as they ultimately get older and bigger.
It will always take some time to adjust to a new pet. Some will require more time than others, so always have patience when introducing a new pet into your home. Along with patience, it is wise to take the time to be prepared prior to opening your home. That extra preparation will make all the difference in this transition, and make the process faster and more enjoyable for everyone.
