Just like having a new baby, bringing a new kitten or puppy home disrupts things and can throw your house into a state of upheaval if you’re not careful. Adopting puppies and kittens is about the same as having a toddler running around the house, so you need to follow a few tips to ensure your family and your home are ready for the task ahead.
Make sure your pet is age-appropriate.
It’s hard to know what age appropriate gifts for kids are in normal circumstances, and it’s even harder when you’re trying to decide if they’re old enough to help take care of a puppy or kitten. While a kitten or dog might be the best gift for a certain ten-year-old, it might not be the best gift for every ten-year-old. In many cases, it’s better to stick with the best toy you can find to spark imagination than to introduce a pet into a home and expect your little ones to help care for it when they aren’t ready.
Find a reputable vet.
Going to the animal emergency room isn’t any more fun than going to a human emergency room. You need a reputable vet to take your pet to for vaccines, checkups, any illnesses, or if they have some kind of an accident. It’s important to note that vets are expensive, so you want to check into pet insurance before you bring home your furry friend as well.
The cost of vet care, just like every other health-related thing, is steadily going up. Luckily, there are pet insurers out there who can help take the burden of pet care off you a little. Make sure that the site you visit to compare your pet insurance policy to others lists things such as exclusions that might stop your pet from qualifying or stuff that won’t be covered under the policy, deductibles, monthly and annual premiums you’ll have to pay, and any discounts you might be able to get. As a pet parent, you want your pets to have only the best. Pet insurance not only does that, but it also helps with those vet bills that can quickly become overwhelming.
Pet-proof your home.
It’s important to ensure that your home is pet-proof before you let your furry friend begin to explore. It’s best for you and your family to work together to get this done. Your pet should not have access to kid’s toys, needles, plants, chemicals, or any cleaners. You wouldn’t think twice about leaving out many items in your home, such as chocolate, that you need to be careful with now that you have a new member of your family around.
It’s important to put away anything that might harm your new cat or dog before bringing them into the home, just to be on the safe side.
Talk with the kids about pet responsibility.
It’s important to talk to the kids about caring for your new furry friend if you intend to let them take some responsibility for your new pet. It would help if you stressed that having a new pet is a lot of responsibility and that you expect them to do their part. Talk to them about feeding, bathing, and protecting their new pet as well.
These are just a few of the best tips out there for preparing your family for a new cat or dog to be added to the family. Remember, having a pet is a huge responsibility, and all the family members need to be willing to do their part.