Christmas is coming and this time of year usually means that new additions will join many families across the globe. Cats, dogs, and other animals will find new homes this winter, and that may be because they are born into a loving home, or that a pet is adopted from a shelter. The fact is, this is pet season.
Photo credit via flickr.
Now, a home should be a home that suits your family to a point. There’s no point in living in an unsatisfactory abode. This applies to your pet as well. It’s going to be a stressful occasion for your new addition, and you don’t need to make it worse, there are a number of things you can do to ease this transition and move forward into normal life.
First off, soak your pet in attention. If they are younger, they are going to need lots of care and play time to sap their bundles of energy. If they are older, they are going to need love and safety. Assess the pet’s needs early on and try and find out exactly who they are, this will ensure that your home is the best place for your new pet! This all depends on the type of animal living in your home, you might find it easier to fuss a dog than a gerbil!
No matter the animal or breed, from a bounding Golden Retriever Husky Mix to a sly Siamese cat, you’re going to need to ensure that there are places for your new pet to sleep and eat in your home. Cordon off a section of your household and give it to your animal, they need a nice place to sleep, unless you want to offer up your cozy bed? As for food, your pet should know where they can eat. Feed and water them in a regular place to ensure consistency. Don’t forget the treats!
Get your pet registered and chipped with a vet as soon as you can. You should also be a responsible owner and spay/neuter your pet so it cannot reproduce. This may seem unfair, but it is a great deal of stress to allow a pet to reproduce and many people find that they cannot cope with a new litter and new pups/kittens don’t end up going to nice households. The risks outweigh the benefits and you should take responsibility as early as possible. Chipping your pet allows it to be identified if it is lost and registering your pet early on can ensure that its medical needs are fulfilled.
The most important thing of all is to remember that a pet is for life, not just for Christmas and even though it’s boom-time for animals now, many will be left and forgotten. Don’t be that family and if you’re going to take the leap, do it for the right reasons and care for your animal. It’s not fair to give them all the joy in the world and then take it away. Be a responsible pet owner and bring happiness into your life!