Now that you’ve found the perfect pet and are ready to bring them home, there’s a lot you need to do to prepare your home to reduce the pet’s stress while making it easier for them to transition into its new life. For pets to thrive in a new environment, they require consistency, structure, and understanding of what is and isn’t permissible. Making your home pet-friendly involves committing discipline, structure, bonding, love, safety, sustenance, and quality care. This article outlines nine ways to prepare for a new pet in your home.
1. Learn everything there is about your new pet
If you’ve never had a pet before, understanding what you’re getting yourself into is essential because it prepares you for the new journey. Learning everything you can about your new pet can help ensure you keep them healthy, happy, and comfortable. Knowing the right food for your pet is crucial to keeping them healthy and active. If you’re getting a new furry friend, look for the best dog food on the market and ensure its top quality to prevent health issues.
Find out if your pet has weight issues and what you can do to improve. Ensure their vaccinations are up-to-date to protect your pet from diseases that can be prevented through vaccination. Learn about your pet’s breed and if that breed experiences common health problems or has some defining behavioral features.
2. Pet-proof your home
Pet-proofing your home enables you to ensure your belongings and your pet’s safety. Poisonous foods, unfriendly plants, and hazardous domestic products should be kept out of your pet’s reach. While you may be tempted to offer your food and snacks to your pet, some of them could have severe hazards. For instance, chocolate may cause heart arrhythmias, upset stomach, and seizures. Raisins and grapes can lead to kidney failure in dogs, while garlic and onions may damage the red blood cells in cats and dogs.
Beware of the plants that can cause severe medical issues for your pets. Lilies, mainly Tiger and Easter lilies, may result in cat kidney failure. Daffodils, tulips, and azaleas are other plants you should keep away from your pet. Pest control products, antifreeze, and household cleaners can be hazardous for your pets, so keep them out of reach. Pet and human medications also pose a significant threat to your furry friends and should be kept away. Consider pet-proofing the entire home to keep your pet and belongings safe.
3. Get pet toys
Boredom isn’t good for your pets, and play is essential. It’s instinctive and crucial for your pet’s mental health. Play and toys enable your pets to achieve some of their most basic needs, including being mentally stimulated and physically active. Providing toys for your pet helps keep them engaged, promoting their muscle and cardiovascular health. It helps maintain a healthy weight while keeping the muscles flexible and strong.
Toys that inspire physical exercise in dogs may include tug-of-war toys, and for cats, they may consist of Life is Good Teaser. The toys you get for your pet should be safe and interactive.
4. Stock on pet supplies
Before bringing your pet home, consider shopping for everything they’ll need from the first day. Get food and water bowls which may be ceramic, stainless steel, or something elaborate. You may also get them customized with your pet’s name. Shop for collars and leashes based on what will work best for you and your pet. Leashes have many options, including retractable leashes and leashes with padded handles, and others with poop bag dispensers. Collar choices are also endless, including LED light and reflective collars.
Get a pet ID tag and a comfortable and supportive bed where they can sleep and relax. Buy a pet first aid kit containing adhesive tape, bandages, sterile gauze pads, antibiotic ointment, antiseptic wipes, cotton balls, tweezers, hydrogen peroxide, a digital thermometer, and other essentials. You should also get a pet grooming brush, toothbrush, nail trimmer, flea preventive, odor and stain remover, and poop disposal.
5. Prepare your pet’s space
Preparing a special area for your pet is an excellent way to keep them more comfortable while containing the mess they might create. If you have a vacant room in your home, consider converting it into a dedicated pet room where they can sleep, eat, and play. Put a comfortable crate or bed, personalized water and food bowls, and pet toys in the room.
Organize the space with stylish storage bins and cabinets and add pet-themed décor. If you don’t want your pet to take up a lot of space, create a pet nook anywhere in the house, including under the stairs or that awkward corner you’re looking to fill. Build a pet washing station where you can clean them after rolling around the entire day.
6. Clean and organize your space
Before bringing your new pet home, it’s essential to clean your space well and keep it organized. Pets are curious and will most likely explore every part of your house. While they might find something you left lying around and maybe forgotten about, they could find something significantly dangerous that could injure or hurt their health or body. Keep all your valuables out of your pet’s reach, and consider blocking the spaces where small animals can enter. Determine where your pet supplies should be kept to avoid confusion.
7. Secure your yard and home
If you’ll be bringing a new dog home and are planning to allow access to the yard even when you aren’t around, ensure the fence is in good shape and completely secure, so your pet can’t go out. Ensure your windows and doors latch well to reduce the chances of your furry friends straying away.
Cats love climbing on open window screens and curtains, so find some cat-proof products you can add to your house. Consider investing in a pet door and installing it directly into a wall, panel, or door that you can add to a sliding door, making it easier for your furry friend to go out when you’re away.
8. Change your air filters
Without pets, you can change your air filters every six months. However, when you have pets, you should change them more regularly because they shed dander and hair, despite proper grooming. Consider changing your HVAC’s air filters before bringing your new pet home to ensure smooth operation and excellent indoor air quality.
9. Plan a play area
Pets enjoy playing, preparing a play area for them is imperative. Consider installing a dog run in your yard to let your furry friend run around without accessing the entire yard. You can get a climbing shelf or cat condo to give sufficient room for your cats to roam because they’re climbers.
Endnote
Caring for pets enables you to ease loneliness and relieve stress, depression, and anxiety while keeping them happy and healthy. Use these tips to prepare for a new pet in your home.
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