Guest Post: 3 Steps to Prepare Your Home - and Yourself - for a New Pet

By Jessica Brody

Photo courtesy of Pixabay by Wow_Pho

Congratulations on your decision to bring home a new pet! Whether your newest addition to the household will be a cat or a dog, a bunny or a gecko, or something else altogether, there are a few basic rules you should follow to help make the transition as smooth as possible - for you and your pet.

1. Help your pet acclimate to his or her new home
   When you bring a new pet into your home, regardless of what type of pet or how old your pet is, there will undoubtedly be an adjustment period. You’ll both need to get used to living with each other, and your pet will need time to acclimate to his or her new home. This is especially important for rescue pets because they are likely to be nervous or fearful at first.
   
   
2. Bond with your new pet
   Bonding is a critical step in the pet adoption process. Once you get your pet home, it is important to learn each other’s communication styles and establish a loving, trusting bond. There are many ways to do this - and some of them are specific to the type of pet that you are adopting. If you’re adopting a new dog, for instance, you may want to consider bringing him or her with you as you run errands. Many coffee shops, such as Starbucks, have dog-friendly outdoor patios and even serve “puppy lattes” - whipped cream in a cup, just for your pooch - free of charge.
   
   Some other fun activities to help you socialize your new pet might include a walk (or a frisbee game) in a dog-friendly park or taking your pet with you on a trip to the local pet store. Many pet stores will also offer free treats, making this an enjoyable experience for both of you.
   
   
3. Caring for a pet when you have a busy schedule
   If you have a particularly demanding job, or if your days are packed full of responsibilities, you may be wondering how you’ll find time for your new pet.
   
   That being said, it is important to realize that many cities have services in place to assist busy pet owners. For instance, if you find yourself extremely busy during the day, you might consider hiring a dog walker. On the other hand, if your job requires that you travel a lot, you might look into a boarding kennel that will take very good care of your pet while you’re gone. Hiring professional help from pet care companies can be a life saver, especially as you and your pet adjust to the new transitions over the first few weeks.
   

 
Although it can be a lot of added responsibility, bringing home a new pet can be one of the most rewarding and transformational decisions of your life. By taking the proactive steps above, you’ll be working to ensure a smoother and less stressful transition for your pet - as well as yourself. Good luck!

Disclaimer - I will accept guest posts from time to time when they align with the audience. I was not compensated by the author.