All the things you need to know before getting a pet
If you are considering adopting a pet for the first time and feel overwhelmed and confused, we’ve got your back!
Whether you live alone or have a family, introducing a pet into your life can majorly change your daily routine and overall lifestyle. That being said, pets such as dogs, cats, birds, fish, can help you and your family bond and connect, and even improve your physical and mental health.
Additionally, caring for a pet teaches compassion, empathy, patience, and responsibility, which are extremely valuable and important traits, especially for kids. This is why many people are keen on adopting a pet and making them part of their family.
In this article, we have compiled everything you need to know before you embark on the journey of inviting a pet into your house.
Get The Right Healthcare For Your Pet
When you plan on getting a pet, make sure that you are financially capable to handle all the healthcare expenses that come with it. This is because catering to pets automatically translates into a regular stream of medical bills.
The first step is to register with a local veterinarian and schedule regular appointments. We also recommend finding reliable pet insurance through reputable online marketplaces such as Pawlicy Advisor. This will help insulate you from financial shocks in case your pet becomes seriously ill, needs expensive treatment, or faces medical emergencies. Additionally, you need to make sure your pet gets all the necessary vaccinations and shots on a regular basis, which may further add to the entire healthcare cost.
A holistic healthcare plan also involves getting the right food for your pet, such as bird feed that usually includes seeds, dog food, or cat food. Down the lane, you may even have to invest in medicines or other treatment for your pet as they get older and develop different severe conditions that also include herbal support formulas as common treatment.
Consider Your Routine And Lifestyle
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Adopting a pet is not a one-off gig as it involves caring for your newest family member in sickness and in health. This means that you need to factor in your current lifestyle and daily routine to ensure that you have enough time and energy to expend towards caring for them on a daily basis.
For example, you may have to exercise your dog for at least one hour a day and ensure that your pet, be it a fish, turtle, hamster, dog, or cat gets their food at the designated time of day. This requires commitment and devotion over the entire life course of your pet. Importantly, caring also means that you provide your pet with companionship and attention to maintain their mental health.
Moreover, you also need to consider your current job before getting a pet. For instance, if you travel a lot, you should make arrangements so that someone reliable watches over your pet while you are away. So before you get a pet, you need to be mentally prepared about potential lifestyle sacrifices and changes.
Consult Your Family
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Prior to getting a pet, it is crucial to get your family’s input to ensure that everyone is on the same page so that you make the right decision.
First off, you and your family need to decide on what kind of pet and breed to get. This should be a democratic and participatory process that involves all family members. Ideally, consider dividing the chores and responsibilities that will follow once you adopt a pet so that everyone chips in their fair share of work and develops ownership for caring for the pet.
When you settle on an animal, consult a medical professional and determine if you or your family have any pet allergies such as fur allergy or asthma.
Be Prepared To Invest Time And Finances
Making sure your pet is healthy means that you have to seek out professional grooming services, which can be costly. For example, birds need to get their nails trimmed while dogs need to get groomed to prevent their coat from getting flaky or brittle. Added to that, you need to account for expenses related to healthcare, microchipping, food, toys, and bedding.
You should also factor in time for their potty training and cleaning after them. You will also have to regularly bathe them as part of their regular hygiene upkeep. Investing in your pet also translates into dedicating ample time to animal behavior training, such as house-training them.
Overall, you need to make sure you meet all the physical, psychological, and social needs of your pet so that they remain happy and healthy.
Generally, pets such as dogs and cats will require more time, energy, and money as compared to a rabbit or goldfish. Keeping this in mind, only you can decide what kind of pet will be most suitable for you and your household.
The Right Space and Accommodation
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Before getting a pet, make sure that you make your house pet-friendly and accessible so that they don’t harm themselves or destroy your belongings. For example, you may want to keep cleaning detergents or harmful food items outside of their reach. Secondly, you also need to consider the size of your house to ensure that your pet has enough space for mobility and movement.
Importantly, you should ask the management if they will allow a pet in the apartment building. As a rule of thumb, always consult your landlord and seek written permission in your contract to avoid any issues in the future.
Parting Thoughts
Getting a pet is going to be an exciting chapter in your life that will be full of love and happiness. Just remember to conduct thorough research when it comes to taking care of your pet so that you fully understand the dos and don’ts. When in doubt, we recommend consulting your veterinarian for professional medical advice. Be sure to put in the time and effort into caring for your pet and proactively involve the whole family in the process.
