Five tips for getting a new pet!
1.) Research: While you are considering adding a pet to your family, do a little research! You can find plenty of info online, so that you can make an educated decision and know that you are getting a pet that will fit into your lifestyle.
2.) Your Living Situation: Make sure you know what breed would best suit your personal lifestyle. Consider your living situation: do you rent, is there enough yard available, is it a big enough place for a large breed or would you be better off with a small breed to ensure that your pet is comfortable and happy..these are extremely important questions that MUST be answered before you bring your new pet home.
3.) Your Other Pets: Are you forgetting anyone?! Often, people get so excited about a new pet to play with that they forget to consider their other pets. You need to think about if your pet can even handle a new addition, let alone if it is a different type of animal. Most animals are pretty touchy at first no matter what you do, but you really need to ensure that you aren’t making your other pet miserable, and that you are protecting both pets safety.
4.) Be Prepared: Make absolutely sure that you are ready for your new pet! Have the food ready, treats ready, toys, litter etc. The last thing you want is an uncomfortable and very confused pet (they of course will need time to adapt, but you really want to make sure that they have what they need). Also, have a vet picked out, have the appointment already made for your new pet to make sure they are healthy, have had their immunizations or at least have an appointment to do so.
5.) Check out your adoption options! I am all about rescuing pets, especially with the foreclosure pets issue that is hitting our community. You can always get a pet from a breeder, a friend, but I will always recommend getting a pet from the pound, SPCA, or the many rescues that are available to you. You will no doubt gather a lot of info regarding your pet from a rescue, and you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you rescued your pet!
training tip of the day!
Are you considering getting a dog, or a puppy? First of all, I always recommend visiting the pound, there are wonderful animals there who need to be rescued into a loving family. Once you have your furry new addition, and you have chosen a healthy dry dog food (see my obesity page for more information regarding food tips), its time to consider training! Potty training can come easily to some pets, and can prove very difficult for others. I recommend starting to train as soon as possible, for both potty training and behavioral training. Positive reinforcement while training is what I recommend; training is not code for torturing your pet!! Also, training your pet to have healthy habits, such as tooth brushing, is great to start as early as possible. By doing this, your pet will be used to having their teeth brushed, and their mouth is free of plaque and gingivitis- and later in life you can avoid paying for a dental for your pet. Also, please PLEASE get your doggie toothpaste/toothbrush from a Veterinarian, or trained professional–people toothpaste is a big nono!!As a vet technician, i saw many cases of older pets with really bad plaque, and their health was weakened because they were constantly swallowing unhealthy bacteria from their own mouths. Had their owners started training with tooth brushing at an early age, or using healthy chews recommended by Veterinarians. I know it sounds odd, brushing your pets teeth, but try it! It can be a fun thing to do with your pet, and will establish a routine that will come in handy to you later in life.
