Bringing home a pet is a huge responsibility. People often think that it’s all going to be cute cuddles and great fodder for their Instagram feed but keeping a pet is a lot of work. A pet is not a toy, it’s a living, breathing being that needs to be kept alive. Bringing home a pet is much like bringing home a newborn baby. There are numerous trials and tribulations attached to the introduction of a new pet into a home. There are certain adjustments that need to be made. If you or a family member is thinking about bringing home a pet, you need to be willing to make certain adjustments in your life in order to make sure that your pet is coming home to a happy and safe environment. Here are ten ways through which you can make sure that your pet stays safe and healthy in their new home.
1. Keep up on their vaccinations: Getting your pet vaccinated is as much for your benefit as it is for theirs. While pet diseases differ vastly from human diseases, the fact remains that a sick pet can make humans unwell too. You need to get your pet vaccinated to make sure that they don’t turn rabid and attack you. Furthermore, pets need to be vaccinated against heartworms so they remain healthy. You need to make sure that your pet’s vaccinations are up-to-date at all times. You also need to make sure that you are getting your pets vaccinated from a reliable place like https://veterinarianfriscotx.com/ and ensure your pets’ continued good health.
2. Provide them with a proper diet: While you may think it’s cute or funny to feed your pets human food or let them eat whatever they want, it can be detrimental to the health of your pet. The digestive system of animals is wired quite differently than ours, so the food we think is okay for us to eat does not mean it’s okay for our pets too. There are specially formulated pet food brands available in the markets that have been designed to keep your pets healthy. If you want to feed them homemade food though, you need to check in with a professional to see what your pets can and cannot eat.
3. Give them plenty of exercises: Much like humans, lack of exercise can make pets lethargic and obese. You owe it to your pet to give them plenty of space to run around freely so they can work off their extra energy. You need to take them on walks or let them run around the house on their own so they do not become lazy. Your pets can get bored too and it is up to you to provide them with adequate entertainment. Inactivity for long periods of time can also lead to the development of numerous afflictions like arthritis.
4. Create a danger-free environment for them: Animals are generally curious creatures. They are used to explore the world around them and the way they do that is through sniffing things or putting them in their mouths. When you bring them into your house, you are exposing them to a new environment that they are going to be curious about. It is important to make sure that the new environment does not prove to be harmful to them. So much as you would do for a baby, you need to baby-proof the house so your pets are not putting their noses in electrical sockets or eating cleaning supplies from under the sink. Accidents do happen occasionally, so it’s good to stay covered with pet insurance.
5. Spay or Neuter them: With the pet population on the rise, millions of pets are being abandoned on the streets. People often let their pets procreate without making necessary arrangements for their offspring. Likewise, people often let their pets go on a lifetime without mating which is agonizing for the pets. The best solution to both these problems is to get your pets spayed or neutered. Not only will it keep the animal population in check but it also helps your pets avoid painful diseases.
6. Give them toys to entertain themselves: However much you want to, you may not be able to spend all your time with your pets. Your pets come to rely on you for everything but you need to teach them to fend for themselves too. An important part of that is letting them entertain themselves. Your pets need toys and such to have fun while you are not around. It doesn’t need to be expensive toys, your pet can play for hours on end with a simple ball too.
7. Keep them clean: While pets have a natural instinct to groom themselves, it is very important that we clean them periodically too. It’s important to not only give them regular baths but also take care of their dental hygiene. You can use wipes for your cat. Unclean pets can lead to the development of infections on their skin and the emergence of ticks. You also need to take them for regular grooming to make sure that their fur is not growing unchecked.
8.Give them adequate training: People often bring pets into their homes, don’t give them enough training, and then get mad at them when they don’t follow instructions. A trained pet not only knows how to conduct itself in a proper manner but also stays safe. Pet training is not only important to make sure that your pets know what they can and cannot do but also so that the pet stays out of danger.
9. Socialize them with other people: While your pet may be used to you and your family members, they may not be used to the influx of humans that come and go in your life. Pets often get overwhelmed when new people come into their life. That is why you often hear tales of children being attacked by dogs and cats. You need to be there for your pet and gently introduce them to new people so they don’t feel scared or anxious
10. Comfort them when they are scared: Just like us, pets can get scared too. Pets are scared of going to the doctor, things like the vacuum cleaner, and most of all, lightning and fireworks. When this happens, your pets need to be held and to be comforted. You need to hold them close to you and distract them so they don’t pay attention to whatever is scaring them.
Bringing a pet into your house is a full-time job in the beginning. However, as time passes by, the job becomes easier as you and your pet reach an understanding.
