A pet offers substantial value to families. From cats to dogs and more exotic options like chameleons, pets are known to help reduce stress and improve the social skills of children. Seniors can also benefit from interacting with a pet every day. It’s an investment you wouldn’t want to overlook but, at the same time, presents lots of challenges if you haven’t owned a pet before.
There’s a lot you need to unpack when you’re introducing an animal to your home for the first time. You may not know what to prepare for. With the guide below, you can make the experience less taxing and enjoy life with a furry (or scaly) friend by your side.
Check Your Lifestyle
Before going out looking for the right pet to take home, consider the kind of lifestyle you lead. This will inform your choice of a pet that may demand a great deal of time and money to take care of. If you’re always busy, then you may want a pet that doesn’t have much problem being left alone at home. Cats would be the best first pets to get along these lines.
If you’re on a tight budget, choose one that requires less maintenance, such as a Shih Tzu or Basset Hound. It also matters to choose a pet that can keep up with your workout routine. You can widen your options based on your personality and sense of style. If you have an eclectic taste, then you might prefer owning a tarantula or praying mantis.
Consider Health Risks
It’s important to keep in mind that bringing an animal indoors exposes you to certain health hazards. Allergies should be your number one consideration. If these are triggered by pet dander, then you would be better off owning reptiles or maintaining an aquarium of diverse marine life. Another risk to take note of is the presence of pests.
Dealing with ticks and fleas can be bothersome if you’re planning to get a dog or cat. Ignoring this problem exposes you and your family to diseases caused by insect bites, such as Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain spotted fever. You may have to bathe these animals often using proper cleaning products that are not harsh on the fur.
Find A Good Place For Shelter
Unless you’re getting a cat or dog, you will need to look for an area that can serve as your pet’s living quarters. If you’re planning to set up an aquarium filled with deep-sea fish, choose an indoor area with minimal exposure to sunlight.
Reptiles such as snakes and iguanas should be kept in a well-decorated terrarium complete with temperature control. When it comes to pets that are sensitive to environmental changes, make sure the enclosure or shelter mimics their natural habitat. They may feel stressed when they’re forced into unfamiliar environments.
Choose A Legitimate Adoption Center
Once you’ve decided what kind of pet to get, you will need to be careful when choosing adoption centers. Some are recognized, but others use unethical means to breed and keep animals.
If you’re looking for a bernedoodle adoption center, you should look for one that hasn’t had a history of animal rights violations. You should only deal with centers that are registered and recognized by local animal welfare organizations.
When you’re getting a pet for the first time, it could be difficult considering everything you need to prepare. But it can be rewarding in the long run when you use the tips above to find the right one!
