4 Things Every Pet Owner Needs to Know Before Bringing a New Pet Home

The thought of bringing home a new pet can be very exciting! It’s surely one of life’s true joys – besides the overwhelming cuteness of a puppy or kitten, it’s the companionship that is the real prize. Sometimes, people get so caught up in getting a new pet that they may not properly prepare for the occasion.

When bringing a new four-legged friend home, there are a few things to consider that can apply to both dogs and cats, of which we’ll take you through. Here are 4 things every pet owner needs to know before bringing a new pet home.

Where did you get your pet from?

There are two options to consider when getting a new pet – either you can purchase your fluffy companion from a breeder or you can research and visit your local rescue centre.

If you decide to buy a puppy or kitten from a breeder or pet store

• Collar/leash
• Training school
• Food and water bowls
• Bed
• Grooming supplies
• An ID tag
• Toys
• House training

When buying a new pet, you’ll usually get them at around 8/12 weeks old, and the amount of work that goes into preparing your house for your new family member is considerable, so do your research before committing.

Rescuing a pet:

Further to the above if you decide to go down the route of adopting a pet, visiting your local shelter is your first step. Once you have found an adoptable animal, you can then start the adoption process which will involve arranging a home check and finding out all there is to know about your potential new pet.Whether you decide to buy or adopt, you’ll also need to find local vets and animal hospitals, as well as read up on the apartment/housing policies that breeders and shelters have instilled regarding pet ownership.

Consider Illnesses

Rescue organisations do everything in their power to ensure every animal in their care has been checked by a veterinarian, but because of the number of animals in their care, those vet checks may not include blood work and allergy tests, basically anything beyond a standard physical exam.

Can you afford it?

Owning a pet requires more than just unconditional love and a warm home. When you add up the following:

• Vaccinations
• Routine health exams
• Buying heartworm medication
• Litter
• Collars and leashes
• Food
• Grooming

It can become quite a substantial expense. Our advice is to consider all of this first, discern whether it fits into your budget, and then decide.

Do you suffer from allergies?

Even though life-threatening allergies will most likely require an environment that is completely pet free, people with common allergies can manage to live with pets by following a few simple but important tips:

• Don’t neglect your allergies
• Ensure that your bedroom is a pet-free zone
• Make sure to limit your exposure to other allergens
• Keep your pets clean and well-groomed always

So, there you have it, some key factors to consider before bringing a new pet home. Lastly, keeping your pet hydrated is probably the most important aspect of looking after them. You may not always be at home, so when leaving your pet at alone while you go to work, consider buying a Torus bowl.