Bringing a new pet home can be one of the most exciting things a family experiences. Whether it be a puppy, kitten, older rescue or exotic pet, there are many things to consider. This is why your friends at the Neighbourhood Veterinary Hospital have provided these important factors to consider prior to deciding on the next family member.
Lifestyle & Commitment
Pets can be very time-consuming, especially as young animals. Kittens and puppies are very mischievous and require almost constant supervision when they are free to roam around your house. Puppies, in particular, take a significant amount of time and energy to make sure they stay safe and also get the socialization they need to be well-balanced adult dogs. Adult dogs and cats require daily exercise and environmental stimulation for the rest of their lives (oftentimes more than once per day).
If we struggle to make the time when dogs are puppies, this is where we can get issues with destructive behaviour and poor social interactions with other dogs. The exercise requirement of dogs can also vary greatly between breed and age. For example, a young Labrador is going to require a significant amount of exercise when compared to an older Great Dane and may also not be suited for a small apartment without any outdoor space. Not only is exercise good for mental stimulation, but it is of course also good for the general health of the animal.
Consider how much time on a daily basis your family is able to set aside for the needs of a new pet for the next 10+ years.
Health & Grooming
Regardless of the age of a new pet, there are going to be different aspects of pet healthcare that you will need to consider.
Health costs that should be considered for puppies and kittens include regular veterinary visits, vaccines, deworming, and spaying or neutering. We recommend that you call your veterinarian prior to adopting a pet to get an idea of what type of expected expenses there may be. Something the team at Neighbourhood Veterinary Hospital can help you with.
Other expenses that are often overlooked include training classes, grooming appointments, food/treats, toys and of course unexpected medical costs. Animals with longer fur need regular grooming appointments (with brushing at home in between appointments) in order to avoid things like uncomfortable matting which can make animals prone to infections. Unexpected medical costs also can be significant which is why a lot of veterinarians recommend pet insurance. Lots of pet insurance companies will offer free trials after your pet’s first vet check-up to see if their plan can work with you and your pet.
Pet insurance coverage can vary for what exactly is covered, so make sure to do your research!
Pet-Proof & Child Friendly
As mentioned above, young animals can be very curious about their environments and require a constant watchful eye (just like their human counterparts).
Making sure there are no hazards before bringing your pet home is very important. Some common hazards can include electrical cables, strings and foreign materials that can be ingested, easily accessible medications, cleaning supplies, houseplants and access to elevated areas within the house (which the animal could fall from).
Most young puppies and kittens can become used to children quite quickly. The socialization period of puppies and kittens goes until about 16 weeks of age and is the most important time to get your new pet used to as many things as possible.
This can include socializing with animals of the same species, animals of a different species, meeting children, exploring the outdoors, going for car rides, being brushed, brushing their teeth, and trimming their nails. This is the time where animals gain confidence in their surroundings so exposure is paramount!
If your family is considering adopting an older animal and you have children in your household, be sure it is the right fit prior to bringing the pet home. Ways to do that is to find out if the animal has had exposure to children before? What were those interactions like? Even if the animal has had past positive experiences with children, it is still important to do a slow introduction if you do decide to bring that animal home. As important as it is that the animal is okay with your children, you must also teach your children to be respectful and how to appropriately interact with pets.
The team at Neighbourhood Veterinary Hospital hopes that this was informative and gave you some basic ideas to think about prior to adopting a new friend.
Pets can be amazing additions to the family with many years of love, entertainment and companionship!
