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Pets are a big responsibility that require time, attention and money to care for. Enjoy every minute of living with pets by starting off on the right foot, focusing on their most important needs and always making time to spend together.
It’s a big decision to bring a new pet into the family. Feel confident in your choice by following these steps.
If you can’t decide on a pet, you can try an adoption sleepover. Ask your local shelter if you can arrange an overnight stay with the pet you’d like to adopt. This is a great option if you’re adopting a dog from a shelter, since dogs’ in-shelter behavior is often different from their in-home behavior. It’s also a good way to make sure the new pet will get along with other family members and pets in your home.
Animal fostering is a great way to support local animal rescues. It frees up space in shelters and keeps pets in a healthier home environment. However, some foster parents have trouble parting with their foster pets, and these “foster fails” end up staying with the foster family instead of being adopted out. Some rescue groups discourage foster fails because it often means the foster family has no more room for future fosters. Check with your local rescue to ask about fostering policies before applying.
Every pet is different, and the adjustment period can take some time, so be patient with your new pet for the first few weeks.
How your resident dog reacts to your new pup can be unpredictable. You can be proactive about a good first impression with these steps:
Yes, you can use similar steps to carefully introduce a new cat to your home. Split your pets up with a carrier or pet gate instead of a leash. Most important for cats is scent, so you can swap your pets blankets or bed to allow them to get used to each other’s scent before interacting face-to-face.
All pets require care on your part. Your pet’s exact needs and the cost of care will depend on their age, size and energy level. You can best care for your pet by preparing for these basic pet care tasks:
Keep your pet’s water topped up with a cutesy traditional water bowl or one that refills your pet’s bowl as they drink it down. A fountain can offer a soothing trickling sound while filtering the water for a clean taste, and it’s recommended by vets and cat owners alike to help encourage cats to hydrate and prevent urinary tract infections.
Stroll around the neighborhood in style, whether you’re going for a breakaway neck collar or a harness with a retractable leash. And keep a few bags handy to keep the neighborhood tidy if your pet needs a bathroom break along the way.
Ban stray pet hair from your house with a fine-toothed comb or shedding brush, and follow up with regular tub time complete with a comfy spa-like tub and treats for extra love on bath day. For dogs who don’t enjoy baths, you can try a peanut-butter filled rubber toy to keep them busy.
Spark your pet’s inner joy with interactive toys made specifically for your dog, cat or any other critter that’s part of your family. Some pets enjoy soft toys for shaking or cuddling, while others need puzzle toys that keep them active or help them learn. And don’t forget a scratching post!
Set up your cat’s litterbox in a quiet room without a lot of foot traffic. A general rule is to have at least one litterbox for every cat in your home, though some vets recommend having an extra in case of fighting or location preferences. Standard usually need to be scooped a few times week, while automatic litterboxes typically scoop themselves and don’t need to be cleaned for weeks.
Behavioral training teaches your pet basic commands like sit or stay, and it includes collar training or curbing bad habits that your pet is developing. But there are several ways that you can teach these basics and beyond.
Pet-proofing essentially means that you use safety gear, gates or take extra precautions to keep your pet safe in your home. If you have a puppy or kitten, pet-proofing also keeps your belongings safe when your baby pet gets in the chewing mood.
First, you’ll need to figure out what safety gear you need for your pet. Try laying on the floor of each room in different directions, and spot anything that your pet might get curious about.
Shoes laying underneath a bed or couch, unhidden wires and open trash cans are all fair game for mischief. Once you’ve identified safety hazards, you can:
Pet parents have many preferences and ways of potty training, so you can relax and pick the method that fits your schedule and training style the best.
A few potty training methods to consider:
Keep your pet happy and healthy with a little know-how about your pet’s health care. But consult your vet for official advice, since these tips are only meant for learning purposes.
Stave off many pet health problems when you keep up with these common types of prevention:
Your vet will let you know the proper steps for keeping your pet’s teeth and ears clean.
With pet insurance, you can plan ahead for the vet care that your pet will need. Pet insurance can reimburse you for a huge portion of your vet bills, like 80% or 90%. Along with that, you can buy different pet insurance policies for taking your pet in for anything from broken bones to an upset stomach or annual vaccines and checkups.
The three types of policies to be aware of:
Covers routine vet visits, vaccines and preventive medication.
Covers vet care related to accidents like broken bones or swallowing something that’s not edible.
Covers vet care for accidents and illnesses like bloating, upset stomach, skin or ear infections.
The best and cheapest time to buy pet insurance is when your pet is young and healthy. Get quotes from multiple companies to find the best deal for you.
Trust your instincts when you think something’s wrong with your beloved pet, or call your vet’s office for advice on the symptoms.
Keep in mind that this is general information for learning purposes and shouldn’t be taken as official vet care advice.
| Health problem | When to call the vet | Pet insurance policy that covers it |
|---|---|---|
| Allergies | If your pet goes days or weeks without getting better, or if they have a strong allergic reaction | Accident and illness |
| Broken bone | Go to the vet right away | Accident |
| Ear infection | Your pet seems tender around the ears, or has redness inside their ears | Accident and illness |
| Gingivitis | If your pet’s gums are
| Accident and illness |
| Swallowing a harmful object or food | If your pet seems lethargic, doesn’t want to eat, heaves or vomits or you see your pet eat something bad, go to the vet or call for advice | Accident |
| Upset stomach | If your pet seems lethargic, doesn’t eat for several days, gets other symptoms or otherwise isn’t acting like themselves | Accident and illness |
Taking your pet on your holly jolly holiday or summer-bum vacation? Discover the rules and tips for taking your pet on different types of transportation.
If you’re road-tripping with your furry friend by your side or just want to change up your pet’s scenery with a car ride, know when your car could become a danger zone for pets.
Set your pet at ease in the comfort of your new home by finding the best pet-friendly rental places available.
Are you flying your pet overseas? Whether you’re going on the trip of a lifetime or even moving overseas, know what to expect before heading to your gate.
Being a good pet owner isn’t always a walk in the dog park. But by taking the responsibility seriously and staying committed to being the best pet parent you can be, you’ll hopefully enjoy many happy years together with your best friend.
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