Whenever you welcome a pet into their home, you are bringing in a new member of the family. Let’s face it – they’ll probably be friendlier (and cleaner) than most teenagers, and their presence is most definitely welcomed. However, you have to understand that they will require a lot of care and attention – they aren’t a Christmas gift you can play with a few times and then forget about.
Therefore, there are many things you need to consider when buying a family pet. You need to take in consideration your time constraints (do you have the time to care for a lively, energetic dog?), allergies and the amount of responsibility each pet requires from yourself and your family. Once you’ve selected the perfect pet, you then need to ensure your home is ready for them! Here’s how!
Set boundaries
Some people love snuggling with their pets at night. In fact, studies have shown that there are many benefits to letting your dog sleep in your bed. They can help you feel more relaxed and make it easier to fall asleep. However, other people prefer to be left alone at night. It’s important that you make these decisions before the pet arrives at your home. Then, you can put the plan into action and train your pet accordingly.
Give them their space
You should also ensure that your pet has their own ‘space’ in your home. This does not mean that you have to give them their own bedroom, but rather a place where they can go to relax. This should be where you keep their bed and any of their toys. Having their own space can create a sense of comfort, and is useful if they are feeling stressed or overwhelmed.
Get stocked up
Before your pet is welcomed into your home, ensure you have everything you will need to take care of them on hand. Although the necessary tools will change depending on the type of animal you have, many are the same across the board.
Here are some examples of what you might need to purchase:
- Food (A mixture of dry and wet food)
- Treats
- Food bowl
- Water bowl
- Bed
- Pet carrier/crate
- Nail clippers
- Lead/leash
- Collar
- Pet-friendly shampoo
- Litter box
- House-training pads
- Brush
Keep them safe
There are also several steps you need to take to ensure that your new pet stays safe and healthy. For example, if they are going to be spending a lot of time in the garden, you need to ensure they can’t accidentally get out or escape. If you have low fences, this might mean you need to install gate extensions, so that they don’t set off on any adventures without you. You should also register your pet at the local vets, and ensure they have all of their injections and vaccinations. It may also be worthwhile to invest in pet insurance, as this means you won’t be facing heft medical bills should they be involved in an accident or develop an illness.
