If you’re tired of snuggling up alone on the sofa, a dog or cat can be an awesome cuddle companion, but they require much more than love. Keep reading for a few tips on how to help you determine which pet is right for you and how to keep them happy, healthy, and safe.
Are You Ready?
It’s not enough to simply want a new pet. Before you let your emotions take over, be pragmatic for a moment and evaluate your home, lifestyle, and income to determine if you have room in your life and budget for another living creature.
Dogs are a large investment; between the gear, adoption fees, food, and vaccines, you can easily spend $1,500 just to bring Bingo home.
If you are not super active, you’ll need to pay extra attention to the type of breed you consider. While a Bernese mountain dog, Corgi, and Australian shepherd might look a little soft around the edges, these are some of the most active breeds, according to Outside.
These animals need lots of room to roam and an owner who is always up for an adventure.
Bonding and Making Your New Pet Feel at Ease
Once your new companion finds his way home, it’s going to take time to establish trust and make them feel comfortable. Know what kinds of things you would like to do with your new canine companion and learn to read his emotions before moving forward with any activities. Rover offers more tips getting to know your new pet in this post.
A common issue new pet owners aren’t quite prepared to deal with is animal anxiety. Your new dog or cat may be nervous. Remember, while you have been anticipating their arrival, for them, the change is quite sudden and may be very unsettling. Watch for signs of anxiety and follow the advice of bite prevention non-profit
Doggone Safe by ensuring that your dog has a safe place to retreat, such as a crate or quiet corner. Give your pet a few days to get to know the new environment. They may sniff everything, dig in the yard, or attempt to explore outside his boundaries. Be patient but firm when redirecting his behavior.
Finding a Veterinarian and Dealing with Allergies
First things first, it’s important to know that you can happily cohabitate with a pet if you have allergies. It takes work and possibly antihistamines, but the extra effort is a minor inconvenience and one that will be repaid with unconditional love and companionship.
Invest in a good vacuum cleaner, preferably one designed for pet hair, and remember to change your air filters regularly to help stay on top of indoor pollutants and allergens (consider enrolling in an air filter delivery service to ensure you have some on-hand). Your pet should also be groomed often. If getting them to the groomer is a problem, consider a mobile pet spa, which can come to you.
In addition to food, shelter, and love, your pet will need medical care at some point. Whether this is merely a matter of routine health checks or keeping up with an existing condition, your veterinarian is an important person in your pet’s life. Interview at least three providers, and don’t base your decisions solely on the vet themselves.
Look at their assistants and veterinary technicians to make sure they are both knowledgeable and comfortable with the animals in their care. Make sure your veterinarian agrees with your pet-rearing philosophies and has hours that are compatible with your schedule. When you take your pet in for their first visit, ask your veterinarian if they can microchip and register your pet’s information.
There are pros and cons to both cats and dogs. Cats are super independent, while dogs are almost always on — and always in your face. If you’re still not sure, there are plenty of fun online quizzes that can help you make a decision.
While you should not make a choice based solely on an internet questionnaire, you should evaluate your lifestyle and finances so that you can make the best decision for you and your family.
