Deciding to own a pet for the first time is an exciting but important commitment. There’s a lot to plan for but it need not take you a long time. Here’s some advice for you to consider before bringing home a new pet.
How To Select The Best Pet For You
Why is it important to select the right pet? Besides the fact that it will lead to a better relationship, according to the Washington Post, research shows “that owners and their pets bond best when the owner has a clear idea of what he wants from his pet and keeps that in mind when choosing an animal.” Therefore, it’s important to ask yourself the following questions:
Why do I want a pet? What kind of activities would you like to do with your pet? Or, would you rather just have a pet you can view, like a fish?
How much time will I spend with my pet? For example, reptiles only need to be tended once or twice a day, while dogs need near-constant companionship and training. Additionally, how long will your pet live? According to this post from Spruce Pets, large birds including macaws can have a life span that is decades long.
What is my budget? While people don’t often consider this too deeply, it’s important to think about what you will do if your dog or cat needs major surgery.
How much space will my pet need? That comes along with whether or not your pet is indoor or outdoor, and whether you’ll need a fence. How much space will their gear or habitat require? Here are some pet options if you live in an apartment from Irvine Company Apartments.
Who will care for my pet when I’m not around? Whether you are traveling or stuck at work, your pet still needs to be fed and cared for. Who can help?
Taking all this together, you’ll also need to research the temperament and personality of your prospective pet. Learn more about the different pet choices from Best Friends, and take this quiz from Dogtime to help you select the right dog breed.
When you make a choice, make sure that you and your housemates or family do not have an allergy to this pet. If you don’t know, get tested.
Preparing Your Home For Your Pet
Once you’ve made a choice, you should prepare your home for your pet’s arrival. Here are the key things you need:
Keep enough food on hand for the week. Be sure to have treats on hand if applicable.
Set up any bedding, habitats, pet areas, fencing, and so on and add decor. Now is also the time to determine if any rooms are off-limits for a larger pet and to restrict access.
Make sure your pet has toys to keep him active.
Get any other necessities that he may require, such as a cat litter or dog leash.
Another thing you must do is to prepare your family and/or housemates. Let them know what kind of pet you are bringing and any important details. If it’s a larger pet and you have people who are nervous or young children, take the time to make introductions the right way. Petfinder has advice on how to introduce your family to your dog.
Bonding With Your Pet
To reap the benefits of a pet, it’s important to spend time with your pet every day. If you have a dog, bring him with you on a camping or hiking trip.
Pets also contribute to recovery for addiction survivors. Companion animals can help reduce negative emotions, decrease sadness and a pet such as a dog can provide unconditional love.
Bringing home a new pet is a wonderful adventure. Be sure to plan ahead so you’ll make the best choices for you and your new family member.
This guest blog article has been kindly produced for Cheadle Dog House by Jessica Brody of Ourbestfriends to help encourage people to adopt a loving animal. Photo credit to Unsplash
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