Preparing for a new pet: things to consider

Bringing a new pet into your life is an exciting adventure. However, it requires careful planning and consideration. This post delves into the essential aspects before welcoming a furry friend. From lifestyle adjustments to pet-proofing your home, explore the comprehensive guide to ensure a smooth transition for you and your new companion.

Choosing the right breed

Selecting the ideal pet breed is crucial. Consider factors like size, energy levels and temperament that match your lifestyle. Research a breed’s care requirements, exercise needs and potential health concerns. A well-matched breed ensures a harmonious companionship, leading to a happier and healthier life together. Always research breeders before buying a puppy or kitten to ensure you’re buying from a responsible breeder.

Choosing the right food

Opt for pet food featuring natural ingredients. Look for real meat or fish sources as primary ingredients. Avoid artificial additives and fillers like corn or soy. Natural pet food promotes better digestion and overall health and reduces the risk of allergies. Providing your pet with natural ingredients ensures a balanced and nourishing diet for their well-being. Encore offers a range of high-quality pet foods with natural and nutritious ingredients that enable you to give your pet a diet that both tastes great and keeps them healthy.

Pet-sitting or boarding plans

When welcoming a new pet, plan pet sitting or boarding arrangements for times you’re away. Research local pet sitters or boarding facilities with positive reviews and suitable amenities. Schedule visits or a trial stay to ensure your pet’s comfort. Having reliable care options allows you to travel or handle unexpected situations with peace of mind, ensuring your pet’s well-being.

Pet-proofing your home

Pet-proofing your home is essential. Remove hazardous items like toxic plants and chemicals, secure cords and blinds and store small objects out of reach. Install safety gates if needed and check for small spaces where pets could get stuck. This creates a safe environment, preventing accidents and promoting a smooth transition for your new companion.

Insurance

Getting insurance for your new pet is a prudent step. Pet insurance helps cover unexpected veterinary expenses due to accidents, injuries, illnesses, or surgeries. It provides peace of mind, allowing you to focus on your pet’s health without worrying about financial burdens. Research different plans, compare coverage options and select a policy that suits your pet’s needs and your budget. Having pet insurance ensures you’re prepared for the unexpected, ensuring your furry friend receives the best possible care whenever they need it.

Registering with a vet

Registering your new pet at the veterinarian’s office is a crucial initial step. Call the clinic to schedule an appointment for a health check-up and vaccinations. Bring any paperwork the breeder, shelter, or previous owner provides, including medical records. Discuss your pet’s history, diet and behaviour during the visit with the vet. Registering establishes a healthcare relationship, ensuring your pet’s medical records are up-to-date and enabling timely preventive care. This proactive approach sets the foundation for a healthy and happy journey with your new companion. They’ll also be able to help you organise and advise on other treatments, such as neutering.

Microchipping and ID tags

Microchipping and ID tags are vital for your new pet’s safety. Implanted under their skin, a microchip provides a permanent and unalterable form of identification if they get lost. ID tags with your contact information are a quick way for anyone to return your pet if they stray. These precautions greatly increase the chances of reuniting with your furry friend, offering peace of mind and safeguarding their well-being.

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How pets affect your household: A guide

Getting a pet can be great, but it isn’t something you should rush into without giving a lot of prior thought. Many people assume that owning a pet is easy and that it won’t affect their day-to-day lives in any significant way, but that simply isn’t true. The reality is that owning a pet will affect your household in many ways, and many of them can be negative.

Of course, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get a pet, as there are many positives to it as well, but it does mean that you should be aware of what you’re getting yourself into before taking the plunge.

Pets can smell unpleasant

Most types of pets can smell unpleasant at times. And yes, that includes low-maintenance pets like fish and birds, especially if you don’t clean their fish bowls or cages regularly.

Dogs and cats can also sometimes have a foul odour. At times, this simply means that they need a bath, but it can also be that their hormones or other factors are causing them to smell whiffy. And of course, if they have an accident in the house, especially on a rug or carpet, that scent can linger. However, don’t let this scare you off from having a pet, as there are companies that specialise in pet odor removal.

Pets can destroy your belongings

Dogs and cats can scratch and chew your belongings until they’re damaged beyond repair. Even if you take steps to avoid this, there’s still the chance that your pet may destroy a few items here & there, especially if they’re still young.

Bear in mind that this doesn’t just refer to small, easily replaceable items like shoes, but also larger or more valuable belongings. For example, your pet could chew on the legs of your sofa, or they could damage your screen door.

Pets can shed

Pets also shed, which means that if you own a dog or a cat, the odds are that you, your furniture and your home’s floor will always be covered in dog or cat fur.

If this is something that will bother you, or if you have severe allergies, it may be best to opt for another type of pet, such as a fish or hamster. However, if you have your heart set on a dog or cat, there are ways to cope with the shedding. You can get a breed of dog that doesn’t shed, or you could invest in gadgets that easily remove pet hair from your clothes.

Pets fill your house with love

Of course, since we’ve spent the whole post so far talking about a few negative ways that a pet can affect your household, you may be wondering why so many people still have pets, or why you should still consider getting one.

Simply put, despite all the cons that may come with owning a pet, there are also many pros – with the biggest one being that a pet is bound to fill your house with love. If you have kids, you should also consider getting a pet for their benefit, as pets can have a positive influence on children. You can learn more about that here.

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Introducing a new puppy to your cats

If you already have pets, and are considering getting a puppy, this article is for you. Below, we look at the potential issues and briefly explain how to get around them to ensure that your new dog settles in with your existing pets as quickly as possible.

Get into your pets’ heads

Without a doubt, you’re going to have to help both parties to understand what’s going on and teach them to accommodate each other. At first, you’ll need to supervise every encounter. To do that, your understanding of cat and dog body language will enable you to see problems coming and step in before the claws come out and fur begins to fly.

Chances are you already understand your cat well, but it’s a good idea to brush up on canine body language before introducing one into your home. You need to understand both sides of the conversation. This page is a great place to learn most of what you need to know about dog & puppy body language.

Use scent to make the introduction

If the breeder allows it, get a t-shirt and stroke the puppy you have chosen with it. Take this home and leave it somewhere your cats can find it. You should also wipe over areas of furniture your cats use with the t-shirt. Mixing the scent of your new puppy in with the other scents in your home will allow them to get used to it. When you bring your puppy home they’ll feel far less threatened by it presence.

Re-train the cat

This bit can be tricky. If you own cats, you’ll know they are very much the boss; they tend to do what they want, when they want. Of course, this can continue even when you have a new pet. However, you need to be practical and think about breaking some habits that may lead to conflict. For example, if you feed your cats on the floor switch to feeding them on a surface that a puppy cannot reach. That way, you’re removing a potential flashpoint between your cats and the new dog. Puppies are curious and will be attracted by the smell of food. When your cat sees the puppy eating its food on the first day a fight is almost inevitable. Changing your cats’ eating habits for a week or two or more can stop this type of misunderstanding from occurring.

Take things slowly

On the day you get your puppy home, you’ll be able to introduce him or her to every member of the family. However, you may want to wait a while before showing the pup to your cat or cats. Let the puppy explore, but try to keep them apart for a couple of days. That way, your cat will smell the fact the pup is around and get used to the fact that the dog is there, but their life hasn’t changed. When they actually see the pup they’re more likely to respond calmly. Just make sure they’re not left alone until the dog has learnt that the cat isn’t a plaything and shouldn’t be chased.

If you want more detailed advice about introducing a puppy to your existing pets, a good breeder like Douglas Hall Kennels will be able to help. They understand the importance of settling a puppy into their new home and recognise that it’s not always easy to do so. As a result, they have the expertise to offer advice that’s tailored to your specific family circumstances.