Having a new pet in your home is a big step, and the scale of the changes required is all too often underestimated by would-be pet owners. We've put this guide to the essentials of pet ownership to help new pet owners plan for the big moving-in day and avoid any unpleasant surprises.
By far the most common pets are cats and dogs, and this article will focus on these animals, but similar considerations apply to most animals, especially if they are four-legged and will live indoors.
Can You Fit Them In$%:
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Many people have very busy lives, and often spend relatively little time at home during the week. If you are thinking about a pet, you need to consider:
o Do you have the time to look after them$%:
o Can you afford it financially$%:
o Do you have the necessary space$%:
The larger the animal, the more space they need to live and sleep in, and dogs need a lot of attention if they are to grow up to be happy and well-behaved. Cats are less demanding but the costs of even routine vets bills (inoculations, etc) can be significant, so consider whether pet insurance might help with budgeting.
Keeping Fit
Dogs need regular exercise - at least twice a day. This requires them being taken out for a walk, and perhaps a run or a game of fetch with a stick or ball. Different breeds require different levels of exercise, but some dogs take quite a lot of tiring out before they are happy!
Where Will They -----$%:
Domestic animals tend to be just as territorial as their wild counterparts, and their human owners. Just like us, they need regular places to eat, sleep and go to the toilet, and successful house training is dependent upon establishing suitable locations for these functions as soon as they enter the home, and then maintaining them.
A dog should have a regular toilet area in the garden, and cats should have a permanently located litter tray indoors - somewhere quiet and private.
A large dog will also need a fairly large bed to sleep in, and cannot happily be left in extremely small rooms for long periods when its owner is out.
Be Prepared
Once you have found your new companion, you need to get everything ready at home before they arrive. This can include:
o Preparing sleeping, eating and toilet areas
o Moving ornaments, cables and furniture that might be dangerous or vulnerable to damage
o Buying suitable food
o Finding a vet to register your new pet with
Once you are ready, plan your pet's first day in its new home - it's ideal to bring it to your home in the morning to enable you to spend the whole day playing and exploring with them in the home.
With luck, this will mean that they will be tired and sleep well on their first night!
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