The 7 Do's and Don’ts of Pet Adoption
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A pet can be a rewarding investment. They meet a biological need to take care of another living creature. Interacting with pets can also decrease anxiety and stress, You get rewarded for being accountable, and companion animals can relax you with their love and devotion. Here are some do’s and don’ts before adoption.
Do research the best kind of pet for you
A prepared pet parent is a happy pet parent. Look at pets and breeds and see how they fit with you, your personality, and if applicable, your family. If you have a house with a backyard, you might be able to get a dog that can run around. Apartments don’t have to be deal-breakers for canines, as you can take a dog to parks and on walks around the neighborhood. Check for allergies you or your family might have. Be open to all kinds of pets, from cats to fish to reptiles to birds.
Don’t pass up shelter pets just yet
You can find all kinds of pets in the shelter, both purebred and mixed breeds. In addition, adopting a senior pet can come with some benefits. Senior pets are usually already housebroken, mellow, lower maintenance and still trainable. Communicate with the shelter workers to get an idea about the animal’s behavior. Find the best kind of pet for you, whether that pet is coming from a shelter or a certified breeder.
Do make your house pet-friendly
If you’re getting a smaller pet, you won’t have to do much outside of getting a cage or an aquarium and some food. If you’re getting a furrier pet, you should invest in washable fabric and try to find furniture and fabric that matches your animal’s fur. Groom and bathe your pet often. Try to get stain-resistant fabrics, and where possible, avoid carpeting. If you have a litter box, try putting it in a more private room.
Don’t overwhelm your new pet when you bring it home
Rescue pets can be especially nervous when going into a new home. To avoid stressing out your pet, try to introduce it individually to members of your family. Let your pet explore the house on its own time and don’t push it to see everything. Give it some tasty snacks and play with it. If you have children, instruct them to be gentle.
Do play with your pet
According to Animal Planet, playing games with your pet is good for you and your pet both physically and mentally. Spend time with your pet and observe its activity patterns and habits. If your pet is higher energy, then try to play games that will give it a good workout. If it has lower amounts of energy, still play with it, but don’t push it beyond its limits.
Don’t neglect training
If you’ve gotten a pet from the shelter, don’t assume that it’s fully trained. Just as you would need to train a small baby animal, you’d need to train your pet and make sure it understands the rules of the house. Work on basic training, such as toilet training and obedience training. If necessary, local pet places offer trainings that you can take to help your pet be a little less naughty.
Do love your pet with all your heart
Pets are an excellent addition to anyone’s life and can give you meaningful connections. As mentioned before, pets can be excellent for people in addiction recovery, as they help fill a void that many people seek relief from. Give your pet plenty of time, attention and love. Sustain that over a long period of time, and you will see the fruits of a beautiful relationship.
This guest blog has been written by Jessica Brody. Jessica is a dog lover and creator of OurBestFriends.pet. She created the site to offer a place for animal lovers to share their favorite pet photos and stories about their furry pals. Jessica enjoys writing about and sharing photos of dogs (and other pets!) on her website.