Buying a pet is not like buying grocery at the super market. You have to plan for the introduction of a new living entity into you and your family's life. Some pets are easier to maintain while others could be a handful. So as your child has been whining for the past 2 weeks for a pet, you must do your research before you run out to buy the pet to shut him or her up. Before you make that move, below are 7 things you should have in mind or have in place before the pet comes to its new home.
- Have A Veterinarian In Mind- Get Food, Housing And Toys- Read A Guide Book About Your New Pet- Consider A Tag Or Microchip- Pet Proof Your Home - Delegate The Responsibility Of Caring For The Pet
Have A Veterinarian In MindThis is one of the first steps to take especially if you are getting a puppy. A vet should be the first order of call. Ideally, the pet should have been taken care of shot wise by the people you got it from, just make sure you have the paper work. But, take the pet to a vet to have him checked out before bringing him or her home. If you do not know of any vets ask for referrals from people you know that have a similar pet or call your local pet store. Other places to search are the internet or yellow pages
Get Food, Housing And ToysAlways plan ahead when it comes to housing and feeding. Make sure that you have different types of pet food specific for your pet in the house before she gets home. Have toys ready for the pet and also a cage, if it's a pet that normally lives in a cage. For cats make sure the cat litter is in place and for dogs a sleeping bed specific for the dog should be in place.
Read A Guide About Your New PetRead a guide about the animal you are getting before investing any time and money. Know something about the behavior of the pet, what they eat, what they are all about. Their likes and dislikes and their feeding habits, how often the drink water and how close you should have them around you. The idea is to know something about your pet and then learn more as you take care of it.
Consider A Tag Or MicrochipConsider getting a collar, name tag or having a microchip inserted in your pet. This way if your pet gets lost and it has a microchip, it could easily be found by GPS, or if it has a name tag with its name and a phone number to call, people that come across it can easily get in touch with you.
Pet Proof Your HomePet proof your house or apartment before the pet gets home. This is especially important for pets like dogs that will be sharing your living area with you. Puppies especially are curious and like to play with whatever is in sight. Tape up wires or have them out of sight. The puppy will chew through them for fun. Make sure toilet sits are covered; they will drink from it and lick your face later. Get rid of potential harmful stuff or lock them away such as cleaning chemicals, broken pieces of furniture with sharp edges. Make sure your home is safe for the pet.
Delegate Responsibility Of Caring For The PetTaking care of your pet is a lot of work. If your kids asked for the pet they have to be ready to take care of it. I bet before the pet came they had promised to do everything for the pet and would walk the dog for miles on end. Enthusiasm does wane after the pet is no longer new and interesting. So, plan before hand, as the adult make sure you have the time to step in when the kids do not fulfill their promise. The pet cannot be ignored because junior forgot to feed her or take her for a walk.
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