Pets differ a lot between breeds. For instance, a Chihuahua requires less space and exercise than a big dog like a Great Dane. Factor in the food costs, messes, and vet costs different breeds have. Exotic animals like parrots and big lizards are pretty expensive and often require roomy cages. Smaller animals, including hamsters and fish like guppies, are good choices for beginners. Keep in mind other people you live with, particularly children. Some dogs are better family pets than others. Animals like birds often bond with one person and may bite others.
For pedigree pets, talk to the breeder. Ask about the dog’s history and view its living conditions. A responsible breeder will be able to give you extensive documentation about the dog’s background. Read reviews from other customers along with the shelter or rescue’s mission statement, but don’t adopt until you have had a chance to visit the place in person. There are pet-finding services online that allow you to search for animals in your area. Choose a reputable site where shelters and rescues list their pets, such as Petfinder at https://www. petfinder. com// Take care of any paperwork you get when adopting a pet. Store important documents in a safe location in your home.
For some animals, such as dogs and cats, you will need the name to legally register your pet with the local government. Veterinarian offices also ask for a name to keep track of your pet’s health. Don’t rush while choosing a pet. Looking is difficult when you see a wide range of cute pets to choose from. Responsible pet parents wait until they’re sure they have found the right pet for them.
Any type of pet has the potential to do damage to your home. Rabbits, hamsters, birds, and even lizards may damage valuable clothing, electric wires, and other items. Create safe spaces and play areas. For example, plants like azaleas and tulips are toxic to curious cats and dogs, so don’t leave them out for your pet to explore.
Clear out space for cages and tanks. They need to be set on stable surfaces out of reach from children or other pets. Know your pet’s needs before placing their cage. Some pets, like parrots, like being close to the activity. Others, like prey species and fearful animals, need a quiet corner to rest in. Crates are safe for dogs and cats when you need to leave home, but give your pet plenty of exercise and attention once you are able to let it out.
If you keep reptiles and amphibians, research your pet’s natural habitat. Pet supply stores sell clean substrates. Hermit crabs like sand, for instance. Geckos like dirt, but iguanas and snakes often appreciate newspaper. [7] X Research source Aspen wood shavings are perfect for many snakes and rodents. Rodents and rabbits also like paper and hay. [8] X Research source Birds stay on perches, but line the bottom of bird cages with clean newspaper. Change the lining when it gets dirty or shredded. Use aquarium gravel and soil substrates for fish. Clean the gravel out with an aquarium vacuum about twice a month.
Many areas require you to register with the government as a pet owner. Dogs, cats, and exotic animals often need to be registered even if you aren’t keeping them as service animals. Ask the shelter or rescue agency what forms you need to complete to become an official pet parent. Shelters and rescue agencies will often help you fill out registration forms. If you’re still unsure what you need to do, ask them or get information at your local Animal Control office. Consider getting a microchip for your dog or cat to track it in case it gets out. Veterinarians will also put a microchip in a pet bird or put a tracking band over its leg.
Pet supply stores sell plastic crates and fabric carriers. Crates are good for most animals, including birds, lizards, and rodents that would destroy soft carriers. For fish, you will need to get a plastic bag or small fish bowl. Fill it with water from the tank and get your fish back in its regular habitat as soon as possible.
Don’t forget to get your dog or cat spayed or neutered if the shelter or rescue didn’t take care of it for you! Search for vet offices online to view credentials and customer reviews. Look for an office you feel comfortable taking your pet to. The longer you live with your pet, the more you recognize how it acts during an ordinary day. Any behaviors out of the ordinary are signs that something is wrong. For instance, your pet may stop drinking water when it’s sick.
Some community shelters don’t accept pets. Make sure you know which shelters are safe for pets. You likely won’t get a chance to do this if you get caught in a sudden emergency like a flood. Prepare yourself well for whatever emergencies your community is prone to. Keep important documents like pet identification, immunization, and ID tags in a waterproof container to take with you.
Come up with some basic ideas, such as who will care for your pet and where it will stay. Sometimes plans are difficult to remember during busy, stressful times, so remind others of the plan until you are certain they know what to do.
Pets like birds and rodents often eat pellets supplemented with fruits and vegetables. Rabbits and similar animals need plenty of hay to supplement their diet. For meat-eating animals like snakes and lizards, you can purchase mealworms and other small insects at pet supply stores. Snakes eat mice, while many lizards also need leafy greens and some vegetables. Fish flakes are fine for fish, although you still need to avoid overfeeding them. Fish need a small amount of flakes about twice a day. Look for pet food that has ingredients you recognize and can pronounce. [14] X Expert Source Brian Bourquin, DVMVeterinarian Expert Interview. 20 December 2019.
If you leave your pet outside, make sure they have an accessible source of water at all times, especially during warm weather. Fish need fresh water, so remember to clean fish tanks and bowls every couple of weeks. Have a filtration system in your fish habitat to keep the water fresh. Treat fresh water with conditioner to make it safe for your fish.
Cats, birds, reptiles, amphibians, rabbits, and |rodents all bathe themselves. If you see your bird or lizard in its water bowl, for example, it is cleaning itself. Some animals, such as birds and bearded dragons, also enjoy warm baths outside of their cages. Bathe sick or dirty animals with a mild soap and small amounts of water. Animals that are unused to water, such as rabbits, will get scared and stressed if you immerse them. Fish live in water, so they practically bathe themselves! Fish don’t require special treatment unless they look sick, such as if you notice parasites to pull off them. Keep them clean by keeping the tank clean.
Metal pet combs work well for grooming pet hair. They aren’t as bendable and flimsy as most plastic combs. The kind of nail clipping tool you need differs slightly depending on the type of pet you have. Visit a pet supply store to get the right tool. For lizards and some birds, you can even adapt human nail clippers.
Rabbits and rodents like hamsters chew on toys and food to grind their teeth down. Birds hone their beaks on perches. Without the proper equipment, teeth and beaks overgrow, leading to health problems. [16] X Research source
If you’re handy with crafts, try making your own toys, such as a puzzle box for birds or a platform for hamsters. Fish like exploring, so try putting a colorful background behind the fish tank. Then, put plants, a plastic shipwreck, and other toys in the aquarium gravel. Move the toys on occasion to keep your fish happy.
Some pets don’t like to be handled much. Many reptiles and rodents, for instance, don’t like to be held for very long. If it doesn’t like being held, it might like toys or let you feed it. Not all cats like to be held or touched a lot. It’s important to read your cat’s signals so you don’t get scratched or bitten. [19] X Expert Source Brian Bourquin, DVMVeterinarian Expert Interview. 20 December 2019. For example, play fetch with your dog or bird. Dangle a toy for your cat to chase. Take other types of pets out of their cages and tanks to spend time with them.
Train dogs and cats to do tricks, stop making noise, or stay out of trouble, for instance. Go slowly, rewarding your pet with a treat or click each time they make progress. Keep in mind that younger pets are easier to train than older ones. Remember to toilet train your pet, such as by teaching your dog to go outside or your cat to use a litterbox. Other animals are also trainable. For example, birds and lizards can even be toilet trained if you’re patient.
Know your pet. Some pets are better alone. Some types of fish, for instance, do better alone in a tank. Using treats helps entice a pet to approach a new situation. You may need to work slowly, giving your pet a treat each time it looks at the new thing or steps towards it, for instance. Always supervise your pet while it socializes. Pets get startled just like you might in a new situation. This often leads to bites or scratches.
