Whether you’re just getting ready to adopt a new pet or have already picked out your new furry friend, you’ll want to make sure your home and family are prepared for them. After all, new pets can come with new challenges, like changes in smells, routines, and routines. Preparing your home and family for a new pet doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive, but it does require some forethought and planning. Here’s what you need to know to ensure your new pet has the best possible start in its new home.
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Research your new pet with the whole family
It’s essential to prepare your family for the new pet, which includes understanding what you’re getting into. Before bringing home a new pet, make sure everyone in the family knows about it—especially kids! They may have some concerns or questions about the pet, which is normal. Make sure to discuss the new addition so everyone shares a mutual understanding of what will happen.
Head online to do some research and watch videos. For example, if you are bringing a new beagle to your home, whether adopting an adult or senior dog, or a puppy, check out beagle accounts on Instagram for tips and tricks from current owners and get an idea of behavior temperaments and characteristics.
The more you and your family know what to expect, the easier the transition will be for everyone.
Discuss together the needs and requirements once your new pet comes home
Once your new pet has come home, discuss the needs and requirements with your whole family. This will ensure that you are on the same page and know what you need to do with your new furry friend and how much time you’ll be spending with them.
This includes allowing your new pet to adjust to its surroundings and get to know everyone without any fuss or pressure. Discuss care, feeding, and cleaning daily and who will be responsible for different parts of this care if applicable.
Ensure everyone knows dietary requirements and what they can and can’t eat, such as no chocolate, onions, and garlic for dogs and cats, no milk or cheese for cats, etc. this can massively reduce any illnesses and massive vet bills associated with accidental poisonings.
Decide how you will be feeding your pet and stock up on food.
Before you adopt a new pet, start by deciding what type of diet they’ll eat. If you have a dog or cat that eats kibble, you need to make sure you have enough food in stock so your new pet can eat right away. Food is not as important for other types of pets, like birds, fish, and some rodents, but it’s still something to consider stocking up. You should also have at least one bowl for each type of pet you currently have so that your new furry friend will always have their own dish. Preparing your home for a new pet doesn’t stop with having the right food and bowls. You may also want to rearrange furniture to make room for a litter box or find somewhere else your new friend can go outside besides the backyard (like an extra bathroom).
Buy everything you will need
Much like you need to prepare for a new baby, you will need to buy products for your pet. Exactly what depends on the type of pet you bring home and their unique requirements. For example, some pets such as reptiles can require specialist food and equipment to keep them safe and comfortable.
Cats can require litter trays, a cat door for a window or door, a scratching post, bowls, and somewhere to sleep, while dogs need similar products, feeding equipment, beds, leads, collars, ID tags, and more. Having all of this ready beforehand can help the transition process and make for a smoother start to your life together.
Make space within your home for your pet.
You’ll want to make space in your home for your new pet. You’ll need enough room for them to move around freely, and you might need to rearrange furniture or clear out some of your belongings if you don’t have enough space.
It also helps to set up a designated spot for their food and water and a litter box if they are not trained yet. If you know that your new pet will require specific care, like certain foods or supplements, buy this ahead of time, so you have it readily available when they arrive.
Pet-proof your home
One of the most important things to do before adopting a new pet is to make sure that your home is pet-proof. This means taking precautions, like putting up gates, removing dangerous items, and blocking off rooms where you don’t want your new furry friend near. If you have a cat who has never been around dogs, you should put up a gate or create an area on each floor with a baby gate so your cat can roam freely without worrying about getting into altercations with your new pup.
When building your pet-proof home, you should also think about anything that could pose a potential danger to the animal. If your active dog likes to chew on things like furniture or shoes, you may want to keep these items off the ground and out of reach. You should also consider any expensive items that are easily broken in case Fido decides to take a run through the house.
It’s also smart to remove any plants from the house before bringing home your new pet if they may be dangerous for them. Keep in mind that some plants are toxic while others can cause injury or death if eaten or chewed on by animals. The same can be carried out with chemicals and cleaning products. Move them out of reach or lock them up. Better still, invest in pet-safe cleaning materials or use natural products to ensure your pet is safe and your house is clean.
If you’re unsure of how best to pet-proof your home, consult with a vet to give you an idea of the best changes to make for the safety of everyone.
Register with a vet
Bringing a pet home can be a worrying time for them, especially if they have been rescued from a shelter. As pets cant verbalize when they have issues, you need to be aware of any changes to their behavior or eating patterns.
Choose a vet local to your area to avoid traveling too far in an emergency. For this reason, registering with a vet right away can help you make sure you get the right advice and support when required. Remember, vet bills can add up quickly, so taking out appropriate pet insurance is vital to help you cover some of these costs.
Allow a settling-in period.
Some animals may not be familiar with the noises, smells, and sights in a new environment. In some cases, this can result in them feeling anxious or stressed. Giving your pet time to settle into their new home is essential for their well-being.
Once you bring your pet home, allow them to adjust to their new surroundings by allowing them time on their own in a room that they’ve been introduced to before. This can help make your pet feel more comfortable in such a foreign environment.
Once your pet has had some time to settle in, begin introducing them to new house areas when they are ready. Make sure they have enough space and access to food and water during this process. As they become more comfortable with their surroundings, you can gradually increase how much time they spend exploring different house areas.
The longer your pet spends getting used to their new home environment and family members, the better prepared they will be for any changes that might happen down the line.
Be prepared for any changes and adjustments to your lifestyle before getting a new pet.
If you’ve never adopted a pet before, it can be difficult to know what you will expect in the new pet parent role. If you’re already a pet owner, think back to when you first brought your pet home. How did your routine change? What changes did your family need to make?
Your family may need to adjust their routines and daily schedule as they care for their new furry friend. If they have a hard time adjusting to these changes, it will be challenging for them and the new pet who is trying to adjust to their new home. By preparing your home and family beforehand, you may find that the transition is smoother because everyone knows what to expect. You can plan how much time each person will spend caring for the new pet or when certain things like meal times will occur.
Bringing a pet into your family can be an excellent addition to your home and provide you with a great deal of joy and happiness. However, you should never underestimate the responsibilities of being a pet owner to ensure you all enjoy your life together and everyone is safe, happy, and healthy.
