Chose a Pet that Fits Your Lifestyle You want to find a pet that fits as seamlessly as possible into your life. This will help both you and your new furry friend adjust to each other. Take a look at your family. Do you have small children? Does anyone have allergies? Are you looking for a jogging partner, or can you only handle a few walks a day? These answers affect the size, age and breed of the pet you bring home. Do your research. For example, a golden retriever makes a great jogging partner, but a poor apartment dog. If you want something low maintenance, Angie’s List suggests small critters, like “fish, lizards, turtles, cats and small rodents, such as guinea pigs, hamsters and mice.” Do Not Forget Their Needs Every pet and breed comes with its own set of needs that you need to be ready to handle. If you are planning on getting a dog, will you be able to walk it the appropriate amount of times? You may need to consider hiring a dog walker if you work long hours. A puppy may look cute, but are you prepared for the extra work of training them? Older dogs still require training, but are often less work and require fewer shots and vet visits. Do not forget to take grooming into account too. A long-haired cat or dog will need to be brushed frequently. As you can imagine, the needier the pet, the more they will cost. Forbes estimates that Americans spend a collective total of $62.75 billion on their pets each year. Considering that the first year alone can cost anywhere between $511 and $6,600 between training classes, toys, food and trips to the vet, it is no surprise the costs can add up fast. Make sure you choose a pet that fits your budget. Readying the Home You’ve done your research and you’ve found the perfect pet for you -- hurray! But not so fast. You need to pet-proof your home first. Petfinder recommends taping up all loose electrical cords to the baseboard, storing chemicals away, securing rugs and breakables and installing baby gates to restrict their movement around the house until they are trained and acclimated. Be Patient With Them New environments can be stressful for animals. It may take a couple of weeks for them to get comfortable and let their true personality out. Let them explore the space on their own at first with you trailing behind them to supervise. Since you cannot watch them all the time, set up a safe area for them to be in when you are not around. Pets greatly benefit from having a schedule. Stick to a strict walking and feeding routine, especially during the first few days. This will teach them what they can expect from you. Remember that training starts the minute you get them. Keep your rules consistent and encourage behaviors you like with plenty of treats. Play Time & Cuddles Have fun while bonding with your pet, and do not take it personally if they need their own space to decompress. Some animals will be ready to play right away while others will need to be coaxed. Start with simple games like fetch or chase. If they’re skittish, try getting down on the floor and rubbing their belly, or invite them to cuddle with you on the couch. Letting them know they can be relaxed around you will help them warm up. They’ll be a member of the family in no time. Welcome Home Few things are as exciting as allowing a pet into your life, but there is a lot that goes into taking care of one. Before you bring anyone home, make sure you can handle the responsibility. Doing your homework ahead of time will guarantee that you and your new friend will be a perfect match. Guest Author: Aurora James
Aurora believes there are no bad dogs. She created DogEtiquette.info to share her dog training tips and advice to dog owners everywhere.
14 Comments
7/20/2021 03:34:34 pm
It's good to know that finding a pet that fits your lifestyle is a good idea. My husband and I want to look into adopting a puppy for our daughter's birthday in a couple of weeks, and we want to make sure that we can choose the right one to get. We'll make sure to keep these tips in mind once we search for a dog to adopt for our daughter!
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10/20/2021 11:20:36 am
I'm planning on getting a new dog, and I want to make sure that I care for it. It makes sense that I would want to get a vet so that I care for it properly. It makes sense that I would want to get a vet to help me out with this.
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12/1/2021 08:09:35 pm
You make a great point about how pets definitely have a feeding and vaccination scheduling. I need to get a vet for my German Shepard. He is throwing up every other day.
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12/28/2021 04:22:30 am
I find it helpful to know that it’s an exciting moment when you decide to welcome a new pet into your home. In no time, you won’t be able to imagine life without them. My son told me earlier that he noticed a lump on our dog’s lower abdomen. Perhaps it’s time to take our pet to a reputable veterinarian to get an ultrasound. Thanks.
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1/17/2022 05:07:57 pm
It really helped when you said that it is important to have your pet welcomed in your home. I remember when my sister mentioned to me that she is planning to have her pet vaccinated and asked if I have any idea what is the best option to do. You did a great job of explaining new ideas and I'll be sure to tell her that she can consult a well-known veterinarian as they can answer all her inquiries and will provide good care of her pet.
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1/19/2022 09:43:38 am
My wife and I want to get a dog, but we want to make sure that we can care for them. It makes sense that we would want to know of a good vet to take them to if they get sick! That way, we can ensure that we're prepared for anything.
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1/26/2022 08:29:30 pm
It got me when you said that every pet and breed comes with its own set of needs that we need to be ready to handle. My husband and I are planning to adopt a German Shepherd puppy next week for our five kids so this is informative. I guess we should also look for a trusted breeder on Monday who has a puppy with a good temperament and is potty-trained.
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2/22/2022 06:06:21 am
I'm glad that you talked about have fun when bonding with your pet, and don't be offended if they require their own area to unwind. One of my parents' friends needs to know this article because they are trying to find specific information about it in a couple of days. Thank you for the tips about pet ultrasound.
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2/23/2022 03:35:12 am
I found it interesting when you said every pet and breed has its own set of requirements that you must be prepared to meet. I used to think differently about it not until you explained it briefly and it really got my attention. What you said about veterinarians was really interesting to me.
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3/26/2022 12:33:12 pm
I never knew that animals can be stressed when they are introduced to new habitats. It may take a few weeks for them to feel at ease and reveal their genuine nature. I never thought that it would be like this, I'll share this with my aunt. Thank you for the information about veterinarians.
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3/31/2022 05:26:25 am
I was captured when you shared that every pet has its own set of needs. I should look for a veterinarian service near my place to ensure that my cat is healthy. It's my first time having a pet, so I need a vet's guidance.
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