Having a pet for the first time is a personal milestone that immediately changes one’s life. To do it right, you may have scoured the internet for ideas and advices to keep your fur baby healthy and alive.
Studies show that pet ownership, whether of a dog or a cat, may actually improve heart health through a lower blood pressure and improving heart rate during toxic situations. In fact, similar studies show that bringing a dog home and being in the same room with them, lowers blood pressure better than ingesting any blood pressure medication. Kids who are exposed to pets also ease anxiety. Pets also provide social bonding and support and make pet owners feel relaxed.
From choosing the right pet food to understanding what it means to live the life of a pet parent, here are ten important tips for first-time pet owners to know and consider.
1. Do extensive research
You are on to a great start! Researching the breed, or researching breeds in general, is essential in the process of understanding dog training and taking care of your pet. Moreover, you need to research on the reputation of the breeder to ensure that your pet is of good stock.
Consider your lifestyle when choosing a pet. If you have sedentary routine, you might be interested in getting a pug or an English bulldog, as their anatomy does not allow for strenuous exercises. A daily routine involving quick walks in the park is enough for them, and they will get back to their naps again. If you want a pet that looks more elegant to match your refined choices, then you might want a Japanese Chin or a Siamese cat.
However, keep in mind that even the laziest pet requires a certain amount of physical exercise and play time. Come to think of it, both the dog or puppy and their humans need to execise!
On top of looking into animal breeds, you have to consider the size of your potential pet, too. If you are starting your own family, you might have to be careful with getting larger-sized pets, like an adult dog, as they might knock over your kids or sit on them.
Here’s a trivia: according to 2023 statistics, at least 67 percent of Filipinos households owned a dog in their house, while 43 percent have cats.
2. Be responsible
Make it a promise that you will take care of your pet. Taking care of them does not stop with the boops and cuddles. Remember that you have to provide them with adequate nutrition, treats, proper grooming, behavioral training, exercise, and training, on top of regular veterinary checkups and social interactions.
You must not only have the will but also the capacity to keep animals and give them the best life possible. However, you must also learn how to set house rules for them. Owning a new dog, puppy, or cat means love and companionship, but it can also mean extensive patience and veterinary bills. Regardless, the lifelong bond and connection you form with your pet makes it all worth it.
3. Know your budget
Since having a pet is a long-term commitment, you need to properly look into the expenses required to maintain its well-being. You have to develop a budget for your pet so you could be prepared for the unexpected and adjust to your life as a pet parent.
The most common expense that new pet owners anticipate is their food, but there are other items that need to be a part of a pet budget. One must also invest in medications, supplies, pet insurance, and other miscellaneous items and needs.
If possible, you can also set up a savings account in case of unforeseen circumstances or expenses.
4. Find a good veterinarian
A major part of taking care of a pet is investing in their health. Find a veterinarian you can trust before bringing home your new puppies home, and make an appointment on the day it arrives. A visit to the vet is required for your pet to receive the mandatory vaccinations and prescriptions.
If you are not planning on having your pet breeding litter, looking into spaying or neutering might be good for you. Spaying is when the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus are surgically removed from a female dog or cat while testes are removed from a male dog or cat in neutering. These processes both make pets unable to reproduce and reduce their breeding instinct-related behavior. It can even help them live longer, healthier lives.
You also need to schedule regular checkups and routine parasite prevention to avoid any health-related problems in the future.
5. Prepare your home
Whatever pet you plan on getting, it is important to pet-proof your home. This includes keeping destroyable items out of reach, designating their own space, or avoiding or moving toxic plants. Keep any unnecessary items away to avoid your curious pet from getting into them.
Consider locking your trash cans or finding one that cannot be easily opened by your pet, as it is filled with chewable waste and scraps that could be choking hazards for them
If you want to know more about how to make your house and lot pet-friendly, click here.
6. Choose the right food
Spending a little more on good-quality food for your pet can prevent health problems in the long run, which can help you save money, too. Look at the ingredient list of the food you plan on buying for your pet, and try to look for reviews online, if there are any. You can also ask your veterinarian about the right types of food for your pet.
Make sure to also learn what is toxic for your pet, as different types of food, substances, and other materials can be harmful to them.
7. Buy the right supplies
One of the most important supplies you can get for your pet is good bedding. This will provide them with a sense of security and safety.
Remember to stock up on bowls, a collar, a leash, and a crate for their potty training. You can also get them toys to keep them entertained. There are various types of toys you could get, depending on the pet you plan on having. For example, dogs usually like tennis balls and cats usually like cat neck bells.
8. Train them early and train them consistently
Training your pet at different activity level is not only beneficial for you but also for their health and safety. You can set a schedule that works for you so that you can ensure you are doing it consistently. Make sure to reward good behavior with treats and reprimand misbehavior, but do not hurt them. When you condition your pet to expect pain from you, this can affect its behavior and turn it into an insecure, fearful, or even aggressive animal.
Pay attention as well and observe your pet’s habits and tendencies, so that you know what are their quirks and behavior that need to be changed.
9. Learn how to communicate
Learning how to communicate with your pet is a vital part of having a good and successful and strong bond with them. It is important to work on this as it affects their obedience and capacity to be trained. You can work on commands, marker signals, and verbal cues while training them. When you learn to communicate with your pet, you can transform and deepen your whole relationship, allowing and encouraging them to connect and feel safe with you.
10. Love them wholeheartedly
If loving your pet is something you want to understand more, you are doing great as a pet parent. Your pet deserves the best life it could get, and you and other animals would agree, especially if you already love them.
Remember that the adjustment period for pets can take between two to four weeks, so be patient and understanding if they seem to be having a hard time getting comfortable with you and their new environment.
Getting a pet for the first time can be both exciting and stressful. But if you prepare your home and family, patiently help it adjust, and work with a veterinarian you trust, you will be establishing the foundation for a lifetime of everlasting bonds with your pet.
At Camella, we ensure that your pet belongs to a loving, pet-friendly community. With vast spaces in its master-planned communities, families and their pets can roam free. Check out the selection of Camella pet-friendly house and lot options for sale here.
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