Preparing for a New Pet
When a family decides to welcome a new pet into its home, it can be a very exciting time so, as pet parents ourselves, we at 4Paws want to help ready your home for this new furry addition. As much time as you took to pick out the perfect breed, shelter to adopt from, or name for your new pet, you should take time to prepare your home for your new addition as well.
Gathering supplies
Before you bring home your new pet, take a trip to the pet store and purchase supplies. Make sure to do some research to find out what kinds of things your new pet might require including a crate, toys, food, shampoo, etc. Making sure to buy all these items before you bring your new pet home will help both you and your pet to make the transition easier. If you bring a new puppy or kitten home and do not have any toys for them, they could get bored and become destructive, so it is better to be prepared right from the start to avoid these bad habits from forming.
Supplies for a New Dog:
- Toys
- Bed
- Crate
- Food – check with your vet or breeder for suggestions
- Leash
- Doggie bags
- Water/food bowl
- Collar
- License with name and phone number
- Dog treats
Supplies for a New Cat:
- 1. Water/food bowl
- Food – check with your vet or breeder for suggestions
- Crate
- Bed
- Cat tree
- Toys
- Collar
- License with name and phone number
- Litter box
- Litter
- Scooper for litter box
- Cat treats
Preparing the home
You may have heard of baby proofing your home, but have you ever heard of pet proofing your home? Pets, just like babies, have a tendency to eat or chew things that are lying around, even if they are toxic or harmful. Consequently, it is very important to make sure you pet proof your place a little before your new furry friend comes home, making sure there are no wires, toxic plants, or small things within reach they could ingest. As you train your pet, you can teach them not to eat or chew these kinds of things in your home, but as a puppy or a kitten they will not know any better and so it is better to keep them clear of anything that could be harmful if ingested.
The Big Day
The day has finally arrived and you are bringing your new pet home! The first thing you should do is show your new 4-legged friend his/her “toilet spot”. Assuming you had a decent ride home from the breeder or shelter, your new puppy or kitten may need to relieve themselves and the sooner they get used to going outside or in a litter box, the easier it will be to house train them. Next, allow them to explore a little bit. Each pet will react to his or her new home a little differently, but it’s important to allow them to get to know their new space at their own pace.
Bringing home a new pet may take more preparation than you thought, but with a little research, some shopping, and pet proofing, your home will be ready to welcome your new 4-legged friend in no time. Here at 4Paws we want to help ensure your new dog or cat lives a healthy and happy life. We believe that if you protect them with one of our pet insurance policies, they will have many playful, tail wagging years to come!