How to Care for a New Pet You Got Over the Holidays

Adopting a pet can be a wonderful experience, and anyone who loves animals is heartened to see that pet adoptions are skyrocketing across the country. The holiday season is a particularly popular time to adopt a new pet. But now that your new dog, cat or other pet is part of your home, it’s time to pause to think about how to take care of your new furry friend.

The reality is that adopting a pet is a tremendous responsibility, and you’ll have to make some changes. One important part of pet care in Saint Francisville, LA is ensuring that you have professional veterinarians who are ready to help. Let’s take a look at what the experts have to say about the fundamentals of pet care:

• Prepare your home: One thing you’ll want to do is make sure that everyone in your home—whether it’s roommates or children—is ready for the responsibility of taking care of a pet. You’ll also want to ensure that the home is safe for the pet. Removing electrical cords and items the pet may chew on is a good first step.
• Pick up your supplies: It’s best to have everything ready to go when you bring the pet home. Having key items like food, bowls, a collar and a litter box already on hand for your pet will make the transition smoother for both of you.
• Talk with the shelter about your pet: Ask shelter staff questions about what your pet is like. They’re the best resource for learning about your pet’s personality. If your pet is shy or timid, it may be best to keep things low key when you bring them home. It’s also important to know about any socialization or aggression issues. The shelter staff may know about training programs that will help resolve these problems.
• Allow the pet to explore your home as they see fit: Some pets may come in and want to sniff every nook and cranny. Others may curl up in a corner and be hesitant to come out. It’s best to let your new pet look around your home as they like. Give them some space, and they’ll get comfortable over time.
• Have a training plan ready: Training your pet is a smart idea to maintain their safety and the safety of the people they interact with. Establishing clear boundaries from the beginning will help the pet develop positive behaviors that will last a lifetime. For pets with existing aggression or other behavior issues, it’s particularly important to have a plan for appropriate training.

The next time you need pet care in Saint Francisville, LA, turn to St. Francisville Animal Hospital. We have more than three decades of experience and specialize in all veterinarian services, including surgery, examinations, vaccinations, emergencies and even pet adoptions. We also provide boarding, grooming and a variety of supplies.

Give St. Francisville Animal Hospital a call today and find out how our team can help you provide the care your pet needs!

Categorised in: Pet Care