If you’ve just adopted or purchased your very first pet, congratulations! All different types of pets offer unconditional love and companionship that is good for your mental health, plus they are so much fun. Some pets are active and will encourage you to exercise more simply because they need the exercise themselves.
They can also be great for kids who need a little extra companionship, are afraid of sleeping alone, or want to learn to have more responsibilities. Whatever your reason for getting your first pet, no doubt you’re very excited about it.
Of course, with pets come to some challenges as well. Whether you’re a teenager who has just gotten their first reptile or you’ve recently reached retirement and felt that you finally have the time necessary to dedicate to a dog, some small lifestyle changes will need to be made. If you’re feeling a little clueless about what to expect, here are 3 tips for new pet owners!
Set Alarms, Write Down Reminders
Whatever system you typically use to remember to do new things before they become habits, you’ll need to use that when you first bring home your new pet. Set alarms or write down reminders in your calendar, in your phone, on your computer, or on a post-it note on your mirror!
You have to remember to feed them, walk them or let them outside, clean up after them, take them to the vet, administer medications, and whatever other types of care they may need. The needs of each type of animal will be different and even within the same species or breed, personalities can be so different. Talk to whomever you got the pet from and ask about their individual needs and quirks.
A pet is a member of the family so you should want to love and take care of them as if they were one of your children. If you don’t feel this way, it may be possible that pet ownership isn’t for you and that’s OK!
Find A Good Pet Sitter
Even if you’re not planning a trip anytime soon, it’s smart to have someone you know and trust who can take care of your pet(s) if you’re ever away. Dogs will need someone to care for them pretty much 24/7, while cats can sometimes go a day without care as long as they have a clean litter box and plenty of food and water.
Other pets, such as some reptiles and fish, may be able to go for several days without anyone checking in on them. This depends on many different factors, however, so just make sure you have someone you can hire who will be able to fulfill your specific pet’s needs.
Do Your Research
Before you even bring home your new pet, you should do plenty of research about what caring for them will entail. For example, if you’re planning on adopting a highly energetic dog breed that needs daily vigorous exercise but you live in a tiny apartment, you may want to reconsider.
You can also find out things like diet, cost of vet care, and the average lifespan for less common pets. These things will all play into whether or not you’re making the right decision by choosing this particular pet.
If you’ve already brought the pet home, it doesn’t hurt to do more research! Just make sure you have a backup plan with the pet shop or adoption agency in case it turns out you’ve made a mistake. A pet is a commitment and a life to take care of so it’s not something to be taken lightly!
If you’re a new pet owner, you may be a little nervous but there is so much helpful information out there to help you out along the way. Hopefully, these tips are a great start!
