Parenting Tips for New Pet Parents

If you are planning to bring home a new fur baby, the coming days of your life will be the most exciting. But, excitement also comes with some trepidation. Any new parent will go through the period of feeling overwhelmed with things that you should do. It is impossible to get 100 percent of the things right in the first place. But gradually, you will find your way through. Nevertheless, there are a few things that you can do as first-time pet parents.

In this article, we have included tips to help you become a responsible pet parent as a first-timer. You can freely follow them through. 

10 Parenting Tips for New Pet Parents

1. Learn about your new pet

If you have never had a pet, it’s critical to understand what you’re putting yourself into. Learn everything you can about being a dog, fish, hamster, cat, turtle, or any other type. Do some study on the breed you’ve chosen and learn about pet keeping. When you adopt a dog, for example, the breed’s size will influence everything from eating habits to the level of activity.

In addition to learning about your pet, you should choose a breed suitable for your house. Larger breeds require more area and preferably an open backyard where the pet can run freely. For instance, golden retrievers are very active and would not fit nicely in a small city apartment. 

2. Pet-proof your house

You’re undoubtedly aware that child-proofing your home is necessary to keep crawling newborns and roaming toddlers safe. But you may be unaware that pet-proofing your home is also essential to the safety of your new pet. In general, your pet is likely to inspect, chew up, or consume any little objects left on the floor, so discuss with your family and decide on the areas you would allow your pet access. 

3. Check with the vet before you bring your pet

Heading to the vet is one of the many things you’ll need to do before bringing your pet home, so do some preliminary research. When selecting a veterinarian, you should examine not just practical facts like the clinic’s location and hours but also their approach to addressing pets and the general ambience of the clinic.

4. Necessary supplies

You would need a few food and water dishes besides your pet’s food. If you are petting a cat, you might also want a cat litter box. Other necessary pet supplies include a nail trimmer, comb, shampoo, tick repellant, etc. You should also get toys for your new fur baby. Toys help them to decompress. 

5. The right pet food

Choosing the right food for your new pet is one of the most important decisions you’ll have to make. Their food significantly impacts their general health, so selecting the best, high-quality food for your pet is critical. You should choose one that is healthful, balanced, and created with fresh, local ingredients, just like your cuisine.

Explore Dog Food from MyPetz

6. Consider the vocabulary

To minimize confusion, prepare the wording you want to teach your pet ahead of time. When the new puppy chews the newspaper, steals their socks, or grabs food from their plate, instead of individuals yelling “no,” “drop it,” or “leave it.” Choose one instruction that everyone will use to communicate the same notion.

7. Sign up for training

There may be waiting lists for classes depending on the number of obedience schools in your area. It implies that if you want to attend your “first choice school,” you may need to register weeks or months before courses begin. 

Some people also choose to do the training on their own. If you feel confident about doing that, you can skip a training school. Buy some training guide and follow your instinct. 

8. Decide boundaries

Set clear limits before your pet arrives to make the process easier for both people and animals in the family. Make sure that everyone in your family knows that your new pet will not be permitted on particular furniture, beds, or in certain areas.

Deciding boundaries, however, should not refrain you from socializing your dog with other people or pets. You should instead socialize your pet from a very early age. Socializing has a lot to do with your pet’s behavioural patterns. Socializing with your pet will teach them how to navigate the environment and respond to different situations. It will assist them in comprehending unsafe conditions and how to respond to them.

9. Divide the chores

A new pet is like a newborn. Once you bring home a pet, your days look different. Several things change when you have a pet. Your privacy, your routine, everything is impacted. Make sure everyone is on board with getting a new pet, and decide ahead of time who will be responsible for feeding or cleaning up after it if you have children, set ground rules, and teach them safe ways to interact with the cat.

10. Pet Insurance

Considering pet insurance will be an intelligent decision. The insurance helps cover a significant part of the cost of diagnostic procedures, starting from vet costs. Even the most common diagnostic procedures can burn a hole in your pockets. Needless to say, in case of emergencies like heat stroke, seizures, or ingestion of toxins, you will be paying a whopping $1500 on average to get treatment. 

Pet insurance helps mitigate these high costs. In some cases, insurance covers non-emergency medical costs like vaccinations and a few regular sessions. Pet insurance can protect your pet’s health for the rest of its life. However, getting pet insurance can help you and your psychological comfort.

Anxiety levels are indeed high when there is a pet emergency. Add to it the high cost of vet visits, which may be overwhelming for any pet parent. You will never have to pick between your money and your pet’s life. 

You can refer to our tips for Emergency Pet Supplies

It may seem intimidating and a task at once, but once that baby enters your house, it will all be merry. Your intuitions and presence of mind will make you follow through with flying colours. All you will only need to do is be mindful and treat it like your own.