Choosing your new best friend and bringing them home for the first time can be very exciting.
You may have already dreamt about long walks together (if you are bringing home a puppy or a rescue dog). Or perhaps you have dreamt about the many feline cuddles you can enjoy.
While this is a realistic portrayal of what it is like to have a wonderful pet, there are also a few things to consider, which are less ‘Disney’ and more, well, realistic.
This piece will offer you some tips on how to prepare when you are getting your first pet and what you can expect as they settle down.
Remove Everything Toxic
What might be completely harmless to humans can be deadly to animals, which is why it is crucial to do your research before you bring any home. For example, certain plants and flowers can be toxic to cats and dogs, causing very serious and even fatal consequences.
There are also other perhaps less obvious items that might need removing from the home too, such as ‘spider alarms,’ scented candles, aerosols, and fabric sprays, to name a few. These can also be harmful to pet rodents, as they have a sensitive respiratory system, so make sure to do as much research as possible so you can make your home a safe environment for them before they cross over the threshold.
Get Ready for Pee and Poop
If you are bringing home a baby animal, then it is worth being as prepared as you would be for an actual baby when it comes to messes, potential clothes changes, and the amount of cleaning that may be required. Of course, this depends on how big your new friend is and how well the training goes!
Like humans, animals will pee and poop themselves when they are frightened, and this can be quite commonplace when they are being moved into a new home, away from what they know and is familiar to them, and quite possibly away from their siblings.
Patience is a virtue in this stage. Be kind while they settle into their routine, and then you can move on to toilet training. There will be animals and stages where toilet training is not possible, which is something that you need to consider if it is something that will bother you, and remember that there will also be times where accidents or illnesses happen.
While you can’t prevent these situations, you can make preparations! Make sure you have training pads, spare sheets, and invest in pet friendly fabrics.
Take Things Slow
While you may experience an undying urge to cuddle your new pet right from the get-go, have them follow you around, or fall asleep in your arms, 9 times out of 10, your pet will need to adjust to their new surroundings and company. It can take some time to build up trust, and it is crucial that you continue with positive reinforcement as they learn and develop a bond with you.
