Adopting a new-to-you dog or cat is an exciting time. You find yourself anticipating bringing your pet home for the first time, showing it the pet bed and the location where food is served. Preparing your dwelling for your pet does take some forethought, however. Read the advice below to ensure you haven’t forgotten anything.
Safety Measures
One of the first things to take care of before your new addition arrives is making your home safe—for you and for your pet. Consider what could pose a danger to your pet and put it away. Puppies and kittens RNA developmental stage that means they will chew and eat what they shouldn’t if given the chance. Even older animals can get into things around the house that can hurt them, so precautions are important.
Move any house plants that are poisonous to a higher place or gift them to a friend without a pet and tie up loose wires and cords behind furniture. Make sure that the latches and locks on windows work smoothly and that garbage cans are inaccessible. You’ll also need to make sure you don’t leave the toilet seat cover up, your phone charging cord hanging from an outlet, or cleaning products on the counter.
Pet-Proofing
Expect that Felix or Fido will explore your home and make a few messes along the way. To minimize any destruction, keep breakable or valuable items out of reach. Your feline or canine friend may gravitate to your belongings or things that smell interesting to them. For example, curious pet may be attracted to dirty laundry or your favorite pair of shoes in the front hall.
Animals are extremely inquisitive. Even after you’ve removed items that are potentially harmful, there’s a good chance they’ll damage some of your possessions or furniture. Additionally, if left to their own devices, cats and dogs are apt to get bored and look for things to ruin. So, prepare yourself for that inevitability. Don’t get angry with your pet in the moment; it is just doing what comes naturally.
Proper Pet Gear
What first comes to mind is a collar and an ID tag with your pet’s name and your contact information. Invest in a good leash if you are bringing home a dog or a strong pet carrier of an adequate size for a cat. If you’ll be traveling frequently with your pet, many products are available to help keep your dog or cat safe on the road or in the air.
It’s very important to have a comfortable pet bed in a safe place where your new friend can sleep and take a break from time to time. Be sure to find one that’s the right size. You’ll need a bowl for their food and a separate one for water. Grooming gear is another must have, as are several safe pet toys. If you have a feline, get a litter box for them to use and a scratching post so they can keep their paws in shape.
Stocking up on Supplies
Buy some of the food that your pooch or feline is used to, so your new friend doesn’t get stressed out trying to make too many changes at once. There are many treats available, so experiment until you find something healthy that appeals to your pet. Treats are a low stakes way to find out what your pet likes, which will help you identify foods your pet will enjoy for meals, should you find it necessary to make a change.
A supply of cat litter is needed, of course, if you adopt a kitty. Here, too, you may have to pick up some different kinds before you discover which product your cat prefers. Kittens and puppies will have accidents until they’re trained, and puppies in particular take quite a while to for training to become reliable, so it’s a good idea to have training “potty” pads on hand.
Finding Space
Offering your new pet adequate personal space is critical. You want to do everything you can to help ease the transition. Anticipate when your dog or cat will be in the house and think about what areas you want to be off-limits. For example, will you allow your pet in the bedroom or on the couch? Is the dining room a no-go zone when people are eating? Remember, cats and dogs need to be provided with a place where they can play, rest, or interact with you and feel like part of the family. Placing a cat tree near a window will meet your cat’s need to climb and see outside.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Readying your home also means having the right cleaning products at hand—before accidents happen. There’s nothing more off-putting than coming home to a smelly mess next to the litter box or puppy training pad. Get used to the fact that you’ll be doing more housecleaning and getting familiar with specialized cleaning supplies.
A spray that neutralizers odors is invaluable. You should be equipped with stain removers for accidents on fabric and lint brushes to pick up stray pet hair. It will be necessary to clean or change the air filters on your furnace more regularly going forward, and you may want to purchase an air purifier.
In Closing
With a little planning before you bring your new addition home, you can relax and enjoy the experience.