By Jessica Brody for Machu Pitou Chihuahua
Adopting a pet is a great way to add unconditional love and vitality to your household. While all pets come with their own responsibilities and stresses, ultimately their presence is beneficial. Pets help relieve anxieties and even help to lower your blood pressure and cholesterol. They promote happiness and socialization while improving immunity and development in children. Finally, they are just so cute!
If you are thinking of adopting a pet for the first time, first of all, congratulations! You are going to make some animal friend very happy. To make the process as simple and painless as possible, use the following advice to ensure you adopt the right pet and are fully prepared to take care of him the day you bring him home.
Picking the Right Pet for You
Most people have some idea in their head that they are a “dog person” or a “cat person” or any other particular animal they prefer. What we suggest is exploring all your options before committing to the kind of animal you want to adopt. Dogs are loyal and fun, but they also need multiple walks a day and plenty of attention or else they act out in destructive ways. If you are a more low key person or spend hours upon hours away from the house, you may not have the time or energy necessary for taking in a dog.
Visit a local animal shelter and spend time with all kinds of dogs to get a better idea of the amount of work that goes into it. Also visit with cats– you may be surprised at how affectionate and loyal they can be to the right person. Other pet options include animals like rabbits, guinea pigs, hedgehogs, small birds, snakes, and turtles. However, depending on where you live, you may need a special permit to keep an exotic animal, so be sure you check with local ordinances.
Other things to consider when picking a pet:
● How large is your home?
● Do you have a fenced-in yard where an animal can play?
● Are you allergic to certain animals?
● What kind of activities do you want to do with your pet?
If you are dead set on getting a dog but you are wary about the amount of work that goes into raising a puppy, consider adopting an adult dog. Senior dogs have established personalities and don't need as much exercise and attention as young puppies. They are also more grateful for their owners and the care they give. Furthermore, adopting a senior dog doesn't mean you are getting a problem animal that is too old to train. Many older dogs in shelters were just given a bad hand and they are able to learn new things way into seniorhood.
Preparing Your Home for a Pet
Once you've decided what kind of pet you want, you need to have everything that pet will need set up before you bring him home. Some things all pets need:
● Food bowls
● Water bowl or receptacle
● Accoutrement for excreting waste (poop bags, litter box, litter etc)
● A veterinarian
● A space of their own (dog bed, cat condo, cage for smaller animals)
In addition to the common things all pets need, you may need to make some parts of your house more or less accessible based on your animal's needs. For instance, if you adopt a senior animal, you may need to make some modifications like additional water bowls, litter boxes, and ramps to help them get over steps around the home. Do what you can to prepare for your pet beforehand and you can add accessibility features as needed.
Older pets also tend to experience more anxiety when it comes to new situations. They have experienced more changes and may hold on to negative associations from places they've been in the past. When introducing a senior or rescue dog to your home, slowly show them room by room, focusing on areas where they are encouraged to rest and relax. Point out where their food and beds are and which parts of the home are off limits. Finally, use positive reinforcement including treats and praise when showing them around to help with bonding and reduce any tension they may feel.
First-time pet owners have a lot in store for them. While pets bring joy into the home, they are also work. Explore your options and consider your lifestyle before committing to a particular type of animal and even the age of the pet you want. Prepare your home for your animal's needs before you bring him home and spend time introducing him to his new environment in order to bond and reduce anxiety.
http://www.ourbestfriends.pet
https://www.pexels.com/photo/bed-animal-dog-dogs-57627/
https://www.womansday.com/life/pet-care/a2352/10-health-benefits-of-owning-a-pet-116238/
https://www.thespruce.com/first-time-dog-owners-tips-1117335
https://www.realclearscience.com/blog/2013/12/cats_are_as_loving_as_dogs_you_just_dont_realize_it.html
https://www.redfin.com/blog/2016/10/how-to-modify-your-home-for-an-elderly-pet.html
By Jessica Brody for Machu Pitou Chihuahua
Adopting a pet is a great way to add unconditional love and vitality to your household. While all pets come with their own responsibilities and stresses, ultimately their presence is beneficial. Pets help relieve anxieties and even help to lower your blood pressure and cholesterol. They promote happiness and socialization while improving immunity and development in children. Finally, they are just so cute!
If you are thinking of adopting a pet for the first time, first of all, congratulations! You are going to make some animal friend very happy. To make the process as simple and painless as possible, use the following advice to ensure you adopt the right pet and are fully prepared to take care of him the day you bring him home.
Picking the Right Pet for You
Most people have some idea in their head that they are a “dog person” or a “cat person” or any other particular animal they prefer. What we suggest is exploring all your options before committing to the kind of animal you want to adopt. Dogs are loyal and fun, but they also need multiple walks a day and plenty of attention or else they act out in destructive ways. If you are a more low key person or spend hours upon hours away from the house, you may not have the time or energy necessary for taking in a dog.
Visit a local animal shelter and spend time with all kinds of dogs to get a better idea of the amount of work that goes into it. Also visit with cats– you may be surprised at how affectionate and loyal they can be to the right person. Other pet options include animals like rabbits, guinea pigs, hedgehogs, small birds, snakes, and turtles. However, depending on where you live, you may need a special permit to keep an exotic animal, so be sure you check with local ordinances.
Other things to consider when picking a pet:
● How large is your home?
● Do you have a fenced-in yard where an animal can play?
● Are you allergic to certain animals?
● What kind of activities do you want to do with your pet?
If you are dead set on getting a dog but you are wary about the amount of work that goes into raising a puppy, consider adopting an adult dog. Senior dogs have established personalities and don't need as much exercise and attention as young puppies. They are also more grateful for their owners and the care they give. Furthermore, adopting a senior dog doesn't mean you are getting a problem animal that is too old to train. Many older dogs in shelters were just given a bad hand and they are able to learn new things way into seniorhood.
Preparing Your Home for a Pet
Once you've decided what kind of pet you want, you need to have everything that pet will need set up before you bring him home. Some things all pets need:
● Food bowls
● Water bowl or receptacle
● Accoutrement for excreting waste (poop bags, litter box, litter etc)
● A veterinarian
● A space of their own (dog bed, cat condo, cage for smaller animals)
In addition to the common things all pets need, you may need to make some parts of your house more or less accessible based on your animal's needs. For instance, if you adopt a senior animal, you may need to make some modifications like additional water bowls, litter boxes, and ramps to help them get over steps around the home. Do what you can to prepare for your pet beforehand and you can add accessibility features as needed.
Older pets also tend to experience more anxiety when it comes to new situations. They have experienced more changes and may hold on to negative associations from places they've been in the past. When introducing a senior or rescue dog to your home, slowly show them room by room, focusing on areas where they are encouraged to rest and relax. Point out where their food and beds are and which parts of the home are off limits. Finally, use positive reinforcement including treats and praise when showing them around to help with bonding and reduce any tension they may feel.
First-time pet owners have a lot in store for them. While pets bring joy into the home, they are also work. Explore your options and consider your lifestyle before committing to a particular type of animal and even the age of the pet you want. Prepare your home for your animal's needs before you bring him home and spend time introducing him to his new environment in order to bond and reduce anxiety.
http://www.ourbestfriends.pet
https://www.pexels.com/photo/bed-animal-dog-dogs-57627/
https://www.womansday.com/life/pet-care/a2352/10-health-benefits-of-owning-a-pet-116238/
https://www.thespruce.com/first-time-dog-owners-tips-1117335
https://www.realclearscience.com/blog/2013/12/cats_are_as_loving_as_dogs_you_just_dont_realize_it.html
https://www.redfin.com/blog/2016/10/how-to-modify-your-home-for-an-elderly-pet.html
English 
Français du Canada