Pets are wonderful companions, and dogs are indeed excellent friends. However, a new dog can also be a handful, especially if you’re not prepared. Bringing home your four-legged pal is exciting for the entire family, but it can be confusing and overwhelming if you don’t have the things you need to make the transition a seamless one. Below, you’ll find a cheat sheet of sorts to help you prepare for bringing your canine pal home to their new family and forever home.
Food, Treats, Bowls
While this might seem like a no-brainer, you’d be surprised at the new pet owners who forget to pick up food, treats, and bowls before they bring home their new pet. You want plenty of food, bowls dedicated to his food and water, and quite a few treats on hand, as you’re going to have to train your new pooch, and treats come in handy. Look for promotions and sales to get good deals. It’s also a good idea to invest in a nice comb or brush for your pet’s coat. The comb’s teeth can be metal teeth to trap added dog hair.
Pet Waste Removal Service
When you have a pet in the family they’re going to need a place to go to the bathroom. If you walk your pet, then poop bags and a scooper should be added to your list. If you have a fenced-in back yard and are just going to let your pup out to do his business, then you’re going to have to clean it up as well. You can either invest in poop bags and a scooper to do that or if you’re squeamish in that regard, do a location-specific search like “pet waste removal Joliet Illinois” to take care of it for you. Make sure that you’re receiving weekly service and affordable prices and you won’t have to worry about poop in your yard anymore.
Pet Supplies
There are a few pet supplies you’re going to need in order to keep your dog healthy and clean. From a good dog shampoo to a dewormer, there’s a lot that goes into taking care of a dog. You’re also going to need to invest in a good, high-quality flea comb, as dogs are famous for picking up fleas and even ticks when they venture outside. You want to opt for a flea comb that has tight teeth and will easily pull through any tangles in your pet’s fur. It’s important to check your pets regularly for live fleas and dead ones, as well as adult fleas and flea larvae. Once they get into your carpet, you could easily end up with a flea infestation that it could take you months to get rid of.
Pet-Proof
Did you know that something as simple as a piece of chewing gum or a piece of chocolate can be fatal to your new pet? There are many dangerous foods and plants that many pet-owners don’t know about. That’s why it’s important to pet-proof your home before your new pet arrives on the scene. You need to keep foods up where your dog can’t reach them, check to make sure there are no poisons or household cleaners within their reach, and even check your backyard to make sure there are no toxic plants they can get into. Pet-proofing your home only makes good sense, before your new friend arrives.
Find a reputable vet.
Getting in touch with a reputable vet should be one of the first things on your to-do list. You want a vet that is close enough to take your pet to if there is an emergency.
These are just a few of the preparations that you need to make before you bring home a new dog. Your pup is a huge responsibility and if you want him to be a part of your happy family, you need to do everything you can to make him safe and comfortable in his forever home.
