What Does a New Pet Need?
Bringing a cuddly, puppy or kitten home is exciting. No matter how much you think you’re prepared, a new pet always comes with surprises. Besides lots of affection, patience, and a good sense of humor, here are the items that you will need for a smooth and less stressful transition of a new puppy or kitten to your family.
Beds
When puppies and kittens are born, they share a bed with their mother and siblings. When they are separated from their families, they need a cozy place to sleep and feel safe. A soft bed where they can snuggle can reduce the chances of the new furry friend crying in the middle of the night.
Collars, Leashes, and Harnesses
Collars, leashes, and harnesses are essential items to keep your pet safe when you go for a walk. Puppies and kittens grow very fast and these accessories will need to be replaced relatively quickly. It’s important to research what size is most suitable for your pet; this varies according to the breed, size, shape, and strength.
It’s also important to remember that puppies and kittens are still vulnerable to diseases before they have all their shots updated. Make sure to walk your four-legged friend after a veterinarian has cleared them to be outside.
Identification
When it comes to identification, most pet owners only think about tags, but to keep your pet safe and increase the chances to reunite with them if they get lost, it’s recommended to get them microchipped, and registered at your local pet licensing.
Crates and Containment
Usually, cats only need crates and carriers when they are being transported from shelters to their forever homes or when they go to the vet. Puppies, on the other hand, require a confined place to keep them safe until they are house trained.
Puppy parents shopping for containment items have a wide variety of choices including; playpens, gates, crates, and carriers that can be soft or hard-sided. What they have to take in consideration, is that the puppy has enough space to lie down, turn around, stand up, and stretch. It’s important that your pet feels safe, not locked up.
Food and Water Bowls
While there are several options of food and water bowls to pick from, stainless steel and ceramic bowls are highly recommended. These options don’t build up bacteria like other materials and are dishwasher safe.
Busy pet parents can also enjoy the benefits of automatic feeders, that will feed your pet according to a preprogrammed time and portion. Water stations and fountains can also be a great ally to keep your pal’s water always fresh.
Cats can be very picky about their water consumption. To make sure your kitty is staying hydrated and avoids urinary problems in the future, place several water bowls around the house.
Food and Treats
Food is essential for good health and longevity — not only for us humans, but also pets. The food we feed our pets must have a variety of nutrients and vitamins in a balanced way for optimal health.
The pet food industry has evolved to the point where pet parents can pick their pet diets based on breed, size, weight, age, and even hair. If you’re not sure about which food or treats are better for your puppy or kitty, pay a visit to the vet to make sure you’re feeding your pawed friend the right food.
Maintenance & Grooming Supplies
Although a groomer will know best how to groom your new pet, it’s always a good idea to have the grooming essentials at home so you can keep your pet tidy between visits to the groomer. Brushes, nail clippers, and oral care products should be in your checklist before you get a puppy or kitten.
Toys
Playing is very important for your pet’s mental and physical health. Just like us, dogs and cats test their limits by jumping, running, barking, hunting, and biting the objects around them. Toys will keep your pet busy and entertained, while it stimulates them mentally. Not to mention that the correct toy will keep your pet from biting, scratching, and damaging the items in your house.
When picking new toys for your pets, make sure the toys are appropriate for your puppy’s and kitten’s size and age.
Cleaning and Waste Management
As puppies and kittens are still learning about their bodies and needs, accidents can happen, and new pet parents must be patient during the learning process.
Cats are very clean creatures and will know how to use the litter box almost immediately. They will demand that the litter box is always clean, or they will relieve themselves elsewhere. Some cats can also be picky about the type of litter they use. When you adopt a kitten, you can try out clumping, non-clumping, paper, silica, or even the natural options of pine, corn, wheat, and pellets.
On the other hand, most dog owners decide to train new puppies to relieve themselves outside. But during the training period puppy pads can be a great option to avoid accidents. If the outdoor potty training is not an option, indoor toilets like Pet Loo can be a good idea.
Beds
When puppies and kittens are born, they share a bed with their mother and siblings. When they are separated from their families, they need a cozy place to sleep and feel safe. A soft bed where they can snuggle can reduce the chances of the new furry friend crying in the middle of the night.
Collars, Leashes, and Harnesses
Collars, leashes, and harnesses are essential items to keep your pet safe when you go for a walk. Puppies and kittens grow very fast and these accessories will need to be replaced relatively quickly. It’s important to research what size is most suitable for your pet; this varies according to the breed, size, shape, and strength.
It’s also important to remember that puppies and kittens are still vulnerable to diseases before they have all their shots updated. Make sure to walk your four-legged friend after a veterinarian has cleared them to be outside.
Identification
When it comes to identification, most pet owners only think about tags, but to keep your pet safe and increase the chances to reunite with them if they get lost, it’s recommended to get them microchipped, and registered at your local pet licensing.
Crates and Containment
Usually, cats only need crates and carriers when they are being transported from shelters to their forever homes or when they go to the vet. Puppies, on the other hand, require a confined place to keep them safe until they are house trained.
Puppy parents shopping for containment items have a wide variety of choices including; playpens, gates, crates, and carriers that can be soft or hard-sided. What they have to take in consideration, is that the puppy has enough space to lie down, turn around, stand up, and stretch. It’s important that your pet feels safe, not locked up.
Food and Water Bowls
While there are several options of food and water bowls to pick from, stainless steel and ceramic bowls are highly recommended. These options don’t build up bacteria like other materials and are dishwasher safe.
Busy pet parents can also enjoy the benefits of automatic feeders, that will feed your pet according to a preprogrammed time and portion. Water stations and fountains can also be a great ally to keep your pal’s water always fresh.
Cats can be very picky about their water consumption. To make sure your kitty is staying hydrated and avoids urinary problems in the future, place several water bowls around the house.
Food and Treats
Food is essential for good health and longevity — not only for us humans, but also pets. The food we feed our pets must have a variety of nutrients and vitamins in a balanced way for optimal health.
The pet food industry has evolved to the point where pet parents can pick their pet diets based on breed, size, weight, age, and even hair. If you’re not sure about which food or treats are better for your puppy or kitty, pay a visit to the vet to make sure you’re feeding your pawed friend the right food.
Maintenance & Grooming Supplies
Although a groomer will know best how to groom your new pet, it’s always a good idea to have the grooming essentials at home so you can keep your pet tidy between visits to the groomer. Brushes, nail clippers, and oral care products should be in your checklist before you get a puppy or kitten.
Toys
Playing is very important for your pet’s mental and physical health. Just like us, dogs and cats test their limits by jumping, running, barking, hunting, and biting the objects around them. Toys will keep your pet busy and entertained, while it stimulates them mentally. Not to mention that the correct toy will keep your pet from biting, scratching, and damaging the items in your house.
When picking new toys for your pets, make sure the toys are appropriate for your puppy’s and kitten’s size and age.
Cleaning and Waste Management
As puppies and kittens are still learning about their bodies and needs, accidents can happen, and new pet parents must be patient during the learning process.
Cats are very clean creatures and will know how to use the litter box almost immediately. They will demand that the litter box is always clean, or they will relieve themselves elsewhere. Some cats can also be picky about the type of litter they use. When you adopt a kitten, you can try out clumping, non-clumping, paper, silica, or even the natural options of pine, corn, wheat, and pellets.
On the other hand, most dog owners decide to train new puppies to relieve themselves outside. But during the training period puppy pads can be a great option to avoid accidents. If the outdoor potty training is not an option, indoor toilets like Pet Loo can be a good idea.