Things to consider before adopting a new pet:

1. Is your lifestyle and home suitable for this pet?

Pups and kittens mature into adult pets quickly and require lots of exercise, food, healthcare, attention, and most of all, love. You’ll need to consider if your finances and free time can provide for all these needs before adopting. Do you have enough space for your new pet? Is there space for them to sleep? Will you have time to train and play with your pet? These considerations might also impact the type of animal you adopt and which breed or size you’re comfortable with.

2. Which breed should you adopt?

Perhaps you can talk to breeders, rescue organisations or even your vet to get some advice on this topic. While some breeds need a lot of exercise, others are perfectly happy with low-key physical activities. Large breeds need open spaces while others will happily stay indoors in smaller spaces. It really is worth spending some time researching breeds so that you’re sure you’re making the right decision.

3. Where to adopt from?

We’re all for adopting from rescue organisations, but this can also be done through a breeder. South Africa is home to an amazing variety or rescue organisations, so if a specific breed is important to you, we encourage you to get in touch with breed-specific rescue organisations that can help you give one of their animals a forever home.  Regardless of where you adopt from, it’s important to ask questions about your new pet’s age, vaccinations, and vet visits.

4. What supplies will you need?

The market is flooded with pet products so it’s easy to get carried away with toys and treats for your new pet. Here’s a quick look at the basic list of essentials you will need:

• Quality pet food – Not all pet foods are created equal. We always recommend consulting with your vet and investing in the best quality foods you can afford. Obviously, the food also needs to be breed and age-specific.
• A comfy bed – This really doesn’t have to be anything fancy. A standard doggy bed will do just fine as long as you keep your pet’s size in mind when making the purchase.
• A collar – Although not everyone is keen on fitting their dogs with collars it’s good if your dog gets comfortable with the idea early on.

The post Adopting 101: Here’s what you need to know appeared first on Petz.

Regardless of whether you have one pet and considering the idea of extending the family, or you’re thinking of adopting multiple pets at once, there are a few things you might want to consider. Here’s how to decide if you’re ready to be the owner of more than one pet:

Ensure you’re financially able to take care of multiple pets

A pet (or multiple pets) is a lifetime obligation that comes with a lot of financial responsibilities. You’re looking at paying the initial adoption fees plus you’ll need to fork out cash for leashes, collars, and food. There will inevitably also be medical bills and other recurring costs like grooming that you need to keep in mind.

Consider bonded pairs if you’re looking to adopt more than one pet

Most rescue organisations prefer to rehome a pair of pets together, especially when it’s young siblings who have a strong emotional bond. If you already know you want to become a multi-pet household, it’s worthwhile inquiring about such an option. This ensures that your new pets already have buddies when they get home and can help keep any aggression issues at bay, especially if you’re adopting cats.

Get the shelter’s opinion

It’s always wise to get the shelter staff’s suggestions regarding a potential new pet. They might also be able to give you specialised advice for taking your new pet home since they already know a little bit about the pet’s behaviour.

Plan ahead

As an existing pet owner looking to adopt a new pet, you really need to set reasonable expectations. Plan controlled meetings between the new and existing pets. When it comes to dogs, you’ll want to introduce your resident dog to the new one in a neutral setting, not your home. Animals are individuals, so they might not love every dog or cat they meet, even if they’re used to other animal friends. Keep in mind that it might also take a few attempts to get things right. You need to ensure that the experience is low-stress for all parties involved, so consider how much time, space and energy you’re able to dedicate to multiple pets.

Consider your own limitations

Although their happiness is important, your pets aren’t the only ones that need to be happy. You also need to take the amount of time you can devote to caring for your pets into consideration. If you rent a home, be sure to check out your lease to ensure you won’t be breaking any rules with regards to owning multiple pets.

The post Multiple pets and what you need to keep in mind appeared first on Petz.

Gear up before bringing home a new pet

The last thing you want to do when bringing home a new pet is to leave them alone while you run out to go buy bedding and pet food. You’ll need to ensure you’ve got all the necessities at home, ready for your pet, before the newest family member arrives. This includes bedding, water bowls, pet food, and of course, a few cool dog toys!

Give them some space

Your new pet needs some time to explore their new home without interruptions from other animals or people. Sure, he’ll be a little weary at first, but that’s why you need to help him adjust. Give them enough time to take in their new surroundings without any distractions. Once they’re comfy with their home, you can start introducing them to other family members, including your existing pets.

Don’t give them free rein right away

You might be planning on allowing your pet to roam free throughout your house, but it’s best to keep them contained when first bringing home a new pet. Start by restricting them to a single room or a small section of the house, so they don’t get overwhelmed. If need be, use baby gates to section of an area of the house for this purpose. Be sure to provide your pet with everything he needs in this area, including bedding, food, water, and a few toys. As they adjust to their new home, you can gradually expose them to larger areas of the home. In general, the process takes a day or two, so don’t rush into anything.

Don’t forget about the existing furry family members

Yes, it’s amazing to bring home a new puppy, but it’s super important not to neglect your other pets during this time. Your “old” pets need loads of attention right now, and he needs you to keep his routine as uninterrupted as possible. Lavish love on all your animals equally or risk the idea of your existing pet, forming negative associations with the new arrival. The last thing you want to do is create bad blood between what is supposed to be the start of a beautiful, furry friendship.

The post Checklist for bringing home a new pet appeared first on Petz.