Preparing for a New Pet: Tips I Wish I Knew
When looking for a pet, most families travel to their nearest animal shelter or rescue to adopt their furry companion. It is usually planned with ample resources and time to get things in order before welcoming a new family member.
This was not my experience with my dog Teddy. Teddy was (quite literally) handed to me by a stranger at my place of work. He had extremely long and overgrown nails and deep-rooted tear stains I still struggle to clean.
Though I had grown up with pets, I was unprepared for how things had changed in terms of pet care standards over the years. As a child, certain things such as declawing cats and leaving pets in your vehicle to go shopping were the norm. Today, these are widely understood as unacceptable, and people treat their pets more like they would their children.
To any new or prospective pet owners, here are my best tips and things I wish I had known prior to having a pet.
3-3-3 Decompression Rule: According to ASPCA Pro, this rule states that dogs need 3 days to decompress, 3 weeks to learn routines, and 3 months to feel fully at home. When my dog Teddy entered my life, I believed he was an untrained dog due to his constant accidents in the house. It turns out he was housetrained and he just needed time to get settled and adjusted into my routine. After 3 months, he fit seamlessly into my life and schedule.
Finances/Pet Insurance: Pet insurance is now widely available through various companies and is utilized by many pet owners. Employers have even started adding this as a benefit to their team members. Take the time to research what plans may be best for you and your pet as veterinary care is very important but can be costly.
Physical Health and Prevention: There are many ways to ensure your pet’s health that may not be obvious to first time owners. For example, applying canine sunblock when spending time in the sun and utilizing booties during winter to protect sensitive paw pads from road salt are easy ways to ensure your dog stays healthy. Additionally, daily (yes, daily) tooth brushing and appropriate dental care are necessary for your dog’s health. Lack of dental care leads to more serious health problems and expensive treatment.
Microchipping: Microchipping is an inexpensive way to ensure that if your pet goes missing or is stolen, they can be identified by authorities using a microchip scanner and returned to you. It does not hurt your pet.
Prepare for Emergencies: Knowing where your nearest emergency veterinarian is located or if your veterinary office offers emergency services can save your pets life. Plan ahead and make sure everyone in your household knows what to do in the event of an emergency.
Welcoming a new pet is an exciting chapter that may or may not be expected. However, doing research and preparing can help owners feel confident about taking the best care of their animals.