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Maybe you’re at a point in your life, whether coupled or single, that while you’re not quite ready for a human baby addition to your family, you are prepared to bring home a bundle of fur-baby joy. What an exciting time! But, before you make a bold move like adding a new member to your household, consider the following first. And don’t worry, we’re not here to dissuade you!
Think About The Commitment
All forms of commitment can be scary for most people, or at least depending on your personality. When deciding to extend your family in the form of a fuzzy new companion, it’s essential to make sure of your resolve. You have to acknowledge that not only do pets require cuddles and basics like food, water, and shelter – they also have bills that come with them. The bills come in the form of unexpected and routine vet visits. So, it’s worth considering investing in some health insurance for your new baby; after all, you know how important it is for yourself! Most pet insurance companies will insure your pet for around $25 a month – of course, this is dependent on the breed as different breeds have different health issues. For example, an English Bulldog will cost more to insure than a Labrador Retriever, but those squish-faced wrinkles are worth it!
Research Your Perfect Fit
While you don’t have to go out and spend thousands on a purebred pet, you do want to make sure you’re getting a dog or cat that will fit your lifestyle, needs, and desires. If you know you’re going to be working or traveling a lot, a cat may be a better fit. If you’re an active person who enjoys hiking or running, a dog with high energy levels would be an excellent fit for you. Maybe you want a small cuddly companion but are allergic to cats, breeds like the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, or a Pug would be an excellent fit for you. You also should take into consideration the average lifespan of certain animals and particularly their breeds. For example, bulldogs and Great Danes don’t live as long as Chihuahuas.
Once you’ve decided on a cat, dog, bird, or hamster, your next step is to figure out where you’re adopting from. While it’s admirable and worthwhile to explore local pounds and humane societies, sometimes they are limited in their choices of animals available. There are breed-specific rescue organizations nationwide that you can reach out to if you have a specific breed in mind. Additionally, finding a reputable breeder for the exact breed you’re looking for is another route to take.
Get The Right Gear
When you bring home your new fur baby, you want to make sure you’ve got everything ready to go. This means all the age-appropriate toys, food that is bred and or age-appropriate, as well as having decided where your new pet will sleep. In the same way, you want to maintain healthy eating, and you need to ensure that your pet is getting high-quality, nutrient-dense food as well.
Some people love their new pets so much they bring them into bed with them, which is fine and normal, but remember – this is a hard habit to break! So, if you know your dog will end up being 100 pounds, it might be best to start them in their bed. You’ll also want a crate to train your dog not to have accidents in the house when you’re not at home.
An unhealthy diet can lead to more than just weight gain. An unhealthy diet can lead to very pungent urine odors as well. Especially in cats, a cat’s pee may smell like ammonia if the animal has an infection in the urinary tract. When this happens, you should immediately consult your veterinarian to adjust the diet. Make sure you prepare washable cat diapers to protect your furniture when you are away.
Making Things Easier On Yourself
We’re all stretched thin these days between our phones calling our names all day with notifications, balancing work and life stress, and everything in between. Thankfully in this modern era, there are ways to make pet ownership easier than it once was. Not only can you have subscriptions to deliver your pet’s food on time every month, but things can also get specific. You can use specialty silica cat litter delivery, treats, and toy deliveries tailored to the type of animal you have, the amount of play they need, or the durability of toys they require.
Bringing home a new baby – in any form – is an exciting and life-changing experience. So, go into things realistically. Cats are easier to train than dogs and require less as far as maintenance. Puppies need a lot of training and guidance initially, but the payoff is, of course, massive. Whichever direction you decide to take your family in, use the tips mentioned above to make the right decision and make your life easier after bringing your new addition home. Congratulations!
