A Quick Guide To Being A New Pet Owner
New Year’s Eve is nearly here! Now is the perfect time to reflect on the past year and plan ahead for the next year. As we transition into the year 2023, it’s important to be prepared. Many people are starting this new year off with a new pet in their home. Whether you’re a first time pet owner or an experienced pet owner, this article will help give you some general advice on pet ownership. We’ll break it down into several categories based on the different types of pets. However, no matter what new pet you get, remember that pet ownership is both a responsibility and a privilege.
New Puppy
Who doesn’t love a puppy!? They’re adorable, cuddly, soft, and playful animals that love you unconditionally. However, they are also a lot of work. Puppies require a great deal of attention, supervision, and proper training. If you’re going to be a puppy owner, be sure you have enough free time to dedicate to said puppy on a daily basis. Puppies need daily social interaction in order to develop good social skills. They also need to be regularly supervised as they tend to chew and/or pee on things they shouldn’t. Training your puppy is the most important aspect of being a responsible pet owner. The training you give your puppy will carry with them for the rest of their doggy life. Good training as a puppy will result in good behavior as an adult dog. Bad or lack of training as a puppy will result in bad behavior as an adult dog. Training a puppy yourself can be a lot of work, so we recommend consulting with a professional dog trainer. For the Mountain Top & Drums areas, we recommend Lindsay at Courteous Canines and in the Wilkes-Barre and surrounding areas, we recommend Clawson’s K-9’s with Class.
New Kitten
There’s something truly special about kittens. They’re just so innocent, cuddly, and too cute for their own good. Similar to puppies, kittens are just little balls of fur that eat, sleep, and poop all day. Simply being around kittens has been known to be therapeutic and lower people’s stress levels. As adorable and loving as they are, kittens also require a lot of work. They need to be supervised regularly as they are overly curious by nature. Providing them access to a litter box is essential to properly house break them. Kittens also require a specific diet of kitten food within their first year of life to support proper growth and development. They also need a comfortable and safe environment to live in. Having a designated “kitten room” is a great way to keep your kitten safe and comfortable. Make your house or “kitten room” kitten-proof by removing any exposed electrical wires/cords. We also recommend using electrical socket covers in case your kitten gets too curious. Kittens don’t require any special training. But, it is important to socialize with them so they learn good social skills for adulthood.
New Reptile
When it comes to reptiles, be sure to do our research before even bringing one home. Reptiles require very specific living conditions including temperature and humidity. The specifics will vary depending on what type of reptile you own. While reptiles can be left alone for hours at a time, their tank conditions should be checked regularly. It’s also important to consider the size of your reptile. Your reptile may start off small, but will eventually get bigger. Be sure to have a proper sized tank that fits the size of your reptile. Lastly, educate yourself on your reptile regarding habits, diet, and overall care. For more information regarding reptile care, check out our other article Topic Of The Month: Reptiles.
Being A Responsible Pet Owner
No matter what kind of pet you own, it’s your responsibility to keep them happy, healthy and loved. A pet relies on its owner for food, water, shelter, and companionship. Pet ownership is a beautiful, yet very serious experience. The pets’ life depends solely on how well the owner takes care of it. If you don’t have the time or dedication to care for a pet, then don’t own one. However, if you are willing to put in the effort, time, and commitment to caring for a living animal, then you have what it takes to be a pet owner. Before adopting or buying a pet, do your research and know what you’re in for. It won’t always be easy, but I guarantee it will be a truly rewarding experience.
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