Our battle with the COVID-19 pandemic is a continuously stressful journey. More than a year into this crisis, many of us are left to deal with physical and mental concerns — a negative effect of social isolation. Since the onset of the global health crisis, many people have started adopting furry friends to make the quarantine period more bearable.
Dogs and cats — the common household pets — are adorable, loyal, and loving creatures; although, this cuteness is often perfectly balanced with destructive behaviors. It’s no secret that pets can become rowdy. These four-legged friends can be peaceful for one moment and extremely hyper in the next. We know pets can be irresistible and that’s why before getting one, you should learn how to pet-proof your home.
Preventive measures should be put in place to avoid chaos at home, such as having ripped couches and scratched flooring. Vinyl flooring installation could save you a lot of money on repairs, especially if your pets constantly run around the house. Training your pets, especially if you have dogs, is also essential in managing their destructive behavior.
Benefits of Having Pets
We all know that having furry friends is a balance of love and nuisance. Being a pet owner, however, has some health benefits. It can lower your blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and most importantly, having a pet can increase your levels of happiness. These are all important, especially as we deal with the stressors of the global health pandemic. You might want to consider these benefits the next time you think twice about getting that puppy.
Are you ready to be a fur parent?
Becoming a fur parent is not an easy task and you have to be fully prepared before you make a commitment. A furry friend is a long-term commitment that deserves enough time and care. Dogs and cats are living companions that cannot simply be abandoned when they no longer serve their so-called purpose. You have to be a responsible pet owner if you decide to bring home a furry companion. Here are some signs that you are ready to get that puppy or kitten.
As a fur parent, you need to be able to devote enough time to care for your pet. No matter how low maintenance a pet you will be getting, it will still require feeding time and other maintenance tasks. If you have a busy schedule despite working from home, you might want to reconsider getting a new pet. These pets deserve enough care from their owners. If you don’t have the time to squeeze that into your schedule then you might not be ready yet.
Getting a pet is expensive. Whether you get a dog, a cat, or a bird, pet care expenses can pile up and you have to be ready for that. You have to check your financial capacity before heading to the pet adoption center to see if you can maintain the vet fees and the continuous supply of pet food.
If you have kids around the house, you also have to make sure that they are physically and emotionally ready to have a pet in the house. Kids tend to want to play with pets so make sure they are mature enough to know the boundaries of pet play to avoid hurting the pet.
Take a step back and analyze your current situation to see if you and your family are ready for a new family member. It will benefit you and the fur baby if you get to prepare well before taking them home. Being a fur parent is a huge responsibility so it is best to check if you have enough resources to care for another living being.
Home Preparations for the New Family Member
Introducing a new furry family member can be an exciting experience but there are things you need to keep in mind to avoid ending up with a terrified puppy. Here are some home preparation tips for welcoming a new furry companion at home.
Bringing home your new companion might be the most exciting day for you but it could be completely scary for your new fur baby. It’s important to take it slow when it comes to introducing your pet to different parts of the home and to all the members of the family. Pets need time to adjust, and they will let you know once they are ready to meet other people.
You have to puppy-proof all parts of the home that is accessible to your new friend. Pets like to chew a lot so you need to keep valuables away from your pet’s teeth. For cat owners, this may apply to kittens who constantly look for things to scratch.
Potty train your pet. This is crucial in keeping your house clean and hygienic. Find appropriate ways to train your pet and stick to that plan. Avoid confusing your pet with inconsistent potty training.
Regularly bring your pet to the vet. Pets need constant monitoring of their health, especially the young ones so make sure you schedule a safe visit to your nearby vet soon.
Learn how to properly take care of your pet even before you take it home. Preparation is the key to being a good fur parent. Having pets might be a good idea, especially during this time, but make sure that you can consistently provide a good home.
