Tips For Choosing The Right Pet

Having a pet is one of the great joys in life. Having a pet provides companionship, friendship, and unconditional love. But getting the wrong kind of pet can be a disaster. (Just ask anyone who brought home a puppy that was too energetic or loud.) That’s why it pays to spend time preparing for a new pet before you take the plunge. It starts by figuring out which animal would be best. 

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Different Animals For Different Needs

Dogs, cats, birds, fish, reptiles … which is the right one for you? That depends on your lifestyle and needs. Before you can pick out the right pet, BestFriends.org lists questions to ask yourself, such as “How much time can you spend with the pet?” and “How much space do you have?” The answers guide you to the right pet. 

  • Puppies require a lot of time and room. Older dogs need less, but they still require a good amount of your time every day. 
  • Kittens and cats are more independent, but many are not good with children. 
  • Birds are small, but they require plenty of care and attention. 
  • Reptiles don’t require much time or space, but they also don’t cuddle or play often. 

It’s also important to consider how often you travel. Some pets can travel with you, while others will need a caretaker. Smaller pets like rabbits and birds can be left at home, while a puppy will need a sitter for sure. 

Making Your Home Safe For Your New Pet 

Unless you end up choosing a fish, your home will need some preparations before you can bring home your pet. And when your pet comes home for the first time, they will likely want to explore it. This can be a problem if your home environment isn’t pet-friendly. AmericanHumane.org explains how you can prepare your home for your new animal friend:

  • Make sure there are no dangling wires or cords. Tape down any you find.  
  • Put away toys and knickknacks that your pet can reach. 
  • Make sure your houseplants aren’t toxic to your pet. 
  • Put away any cleaning supplies, medications, and sharp objects where the pet can’t get to them. 

If you have an elderly pet, you’ll also want to help its mobility by adding steps where appropriate and making sure it can easily reach food, water, and you. If it’s a puppy you’re bringing home, you’ll want to take extra precautions, specifically because these pets tend to be very curious. For example, crate training is a great way to prevent bathroom accidents in young puppies. And if your puppy is to be kept out of certain areas, try using a gate to block them off. 

Speaking of accidents, it’s important to remember that your new pet is liable to have bathroom mishaps or periodic bouts of destructive behavior when they first arrive. Be prepared to deal with the expense of tears in your carpet or the need to have it professionally cleaned after one too many accidents.

Tips For Making A Strong Bond

You did your research, asked good questions, and prepared your home. Now comes the fun part — bonding. Creating a strong bond with your pet in the first few weeks is vital to helping the pet work out for you. 

No matter how old your pet is, you can build a bond by spending plenty of quality time with them. Consider taking a day off that first week just to play and be together. You also want to build a small ritual around feeding times so your pet understands that you’re a trusted food source. 

Many people these days opt for rescue animals: Pets that have been neglected or abused. Even though you can still create a strong bond, bear in mind that it might take a little while. Your new pet will likely feel anxiety over a new owner, but you can help them relax by being consistent with a routine. If your rescue animal can predict its day, it tends to be happier and less stressed. 

Start Researching Today

You deserve a great relationship with your pet — and so does the animal. That’s why you need to do some research on which animal will work best for you. Then you can pet-proof your home, purchase the necessities of course, and get to work on bonding. Soon you’ll discover why so many people love having a pet -- it’s usually the friendship of a lifetime. 

 

Jessica Brody
Ourbestfriends.pet