Whether you’re a seasoned pet parent or looking to add a new furry friend to your family, this is the place for you. We have a handy checklist that will walk you through everything you need to prepare before bringing home a new pet.
You’ll Need a Vet
As per AVMA, the number of veterinarians in the US is 121,461. 73,900 among these are in clinical practice, and 13,689 are in public or corporate employment.
A good vet will be worth the money. They’ll be able to answer questions about your pet and help with any concerns you might have. You should take your pet for a checkup before bringing them home so that you can get accustomed to the vet clinic and let them know what kind of care your pet needs.
Vet visits are also important for routine health checks, vaccinations, spaying or neutering, and other medical treatments as necessary.
The best way to find a reputable veterinarian is by asking friends or family members who have had positive experiences at their own vets’ offices. You can even read what other people think about specific doctors if they’ve written reviews on third-party websites like Yelp.
Choose a Name
You’ll want to choose a name that is easy to spell, pronounce and remember. The name should also fit the personality of your pet. Don’t go for something too cute or silly for an older dog. And no matter what kind of animal you have, it’s important that its name reflects gender. That can take time when you’re trying out different names over and over again, but it’s worth it in the end.
Get the Right Food
Now that you’ve got your pet, it’s time to ensure it eats well.
Your dog or cat will need a balanced diet, so look for one with all the right nutrients. Check the label of any food you’re considering buying, and make sure the ingredients are high quality rather than filler-laden. You can order food, medicines, and other supplies for your pet from online stores like PetCareRx.
If you’re feeding your cat or dog raw meat (instead of kibble), make sure it comes from a reputable source and doesn’t contain bacteria that could harm your beloved pet.
Set up a Cozy Area for Sleeping and Relaxing
You’re the new pet parent. You’ve got a lot to do, but first, you need to set up a cozy area for your new pet. A bed or crate is key, as is something soft and cozy like a blanket or pillow. Your dog will also need something to play with, so fill up that toy box with toys from home.
When you get your pet home, they may be nervous and scared. They might not know how to use their litterbox yet or how to use their food dish properly. It can be overwhelming enough just trying this stuff out yourself when you move into a new place. Imagine how much harder it must be for animals who don’t speak English.
And if your new pet isn’t used to being around other animals, like cats, you’ll want them confined in one room until they’ve had some time alone together and with each other.
Be Sure to Have a Crate
A crate is a great tool for training your new puppy or kitten. It can help with potty training, separation anxiety, general obedience training, and travel safety.
Crate training is done by placing the pet into the crate when they aren’t napping or sleeping so that they associate the crate with positive things like playtime or treats. Once they’ve associated it with positive things, you can use the crate when you don’t want them underfoot, like during dinner.
Set up Areas for Your Cat
Set up areas for cat trees, scratching posts, and litter boxes. Before you bring your new kitty home, the environment must be set up so that it feels safe and healthy.
Litter boxes should be in a quiet, private place where they won’t be disturbed by other pets or children. Cat trees are best used as high vantage points, a safe distance away from windows, where your cat can enjoy watching the world go by while they relax or play on top of it.
Scratching posts should also be at least one per cat. Cats prefer to scratch against something sturdy that won’t move around under their claws as furniture does.
Prepare a Safe Outdoors Space
If you have a yard, make sure it’s fenced-in and secure. The fence should be at least six feet high, strong enough to keep your pet in but not any other animals out, and wide enough to allow you to easily pass through with a stroller or wheelchair. You’ll also want to make sure that the gate is sturdy enough that they can’t push their way through when they get excited about going outside.
Consider bringing your pet along on walks if you don’t have a yard. Just be sure to use a leash.
For Dogs, Don’t Forget the Leash, Collar, and ID Tags
A leash is an important safety item to keep on hand. If you take your dog for walks, you’ll want to have a leash handy in case they get distracted by another animal or person and try to run off.
A collar with ID tags is also important as it helps identify your pet if they ever get lost. It also makes sure that if their collar breaks or gets lost, their name will still be visible, so people know who they belong to.
You can also purchase toys for your pet from any local pet store or an online retailer. According to Research And Markets, the pet toys market globally was estimated at $ 2.5 billion in 2020 and is projected to reach $ 4.2 billion by 2027.
Conclusion
As per The Zebra, 68% of households in the US own a pet, which is an estimated 85 million families with some kind of pet, with American families spending almost $99 billion on their pets every year.
There is a lot to think about before adopting a pet. However, the benefits of having a pet make all the planning worth it. From providing unconditional love and companionship to improving your health, having a furry friend in life can make all the difference.
