The decision to bring a pet into your home for you and your familyshould not be taken lightly. A pet will become a member of your familyand not just a fixture in your home. Pets are not meant to come and go,but to remain as part of your home for years to come. Unfortunately forsome, pets are disposable items that will be moved if they are aninconvenience. This should be avoided since unstable homes can makeunstable pets.
A checklist for pet care can be an essential tool when you first bring home your new pet. Formany people, a new pet is their first experience at being a full-timepet parent, and for those this list will be most useful. Preparingyourself, your home, and your pet for those first few months in a newenvironment will make the change go gracefully and help everyone adjust easily.
1. The first thing you want to be sure of is that your pet has all oftheir vaccinations up to date. It is important that your new pet isprotected from such outside irritants as fleas, tics, ringworm, or manyother ailments such as distemper or rabies. The health of your pet isone of the most important aspects of ongoing care. Wellness exams eachyear are important for your pet. A veterinarian will perform a thoroughexam on your pet looking at such things as their vital signs, ears,eyes, mouth, the heart and lungs, as well as the reproductive organsand their skin. This step is a very important preventative measure foryour pet each year.
2. Getting your home ready for your new pet can be a big task, but onethat is essential for the big day that your new friend comes home. Ifit is a small caged animal, a small space that is quiet is fine forthem to be used to their surroundings. You will not want to take yournew friend out just yet, but let them get used to the sounds and smellsof their new home before you start introducing them outside of theirimmediate surroundings. If it is a larger, self-sufficient animal suchas a cat or dog, you will want to make sure that they have their own space, a blanket or pet bed for retreating to, out of the way in case they are too overwhelmed at the beginning.
3. Regular physical routine is essential for any pet. This is theirexercise routine since they are not like us and do activity regularlywithout the help of us. Larger pets such as dogs must be walked everyday, smaller animals like cats, ferrets, guinea pigs,and birds can be trained to play with anyone in the family. Toys suchas balls, bells, tubes, or even apparatuses are useful in helping yourpet achieve physical activity during the day while you are away or evenyou interacting with them while they are exploring.
If you follow some simple guidelines, your new pet is sure to adapt tohis new family in no time at all. Regular checkups, physical activityand preventative measures can not only make your pet more comfortable,but also extend the life of your pet. A pet is an investment so youwill want to be sure to take care of him for the benefit of everyone.