Tips for New Pet Adopters

Have you or someone you know recently adopted a pet? Pet adoptions have been on the rise over the last year. This is considered to have a great deal to do with the pandemic and people working from home. Some people want more companionship while they work from home. Some have adopted pets for their children. Whatever the case may be, we would like to offer some tips to help adopted pets get settled into their new forever homes.

1. What to include in your budget

It is exciting to get a new pet. But it is important to have in mind the expenses you will incur from your new pet. In an article from CNBC, dog owners spend up to $1,201 a year on average on their dogs. Cat owners spend about $687 per year. These figures do not take into consideration emergencies. Here are some items you want to include in your budget:

1. Vaccinations
2. Spay/Neutering
3. A healthy diet
4. Bedding and toys
5. Parasite control
6. Veterinarian Checkups
7. Emergencies

To help cover medical expenses, some people get pet insurance. This may be something to look into. I’ve included an article from Healthy Living on “Weighing the Pros and Cons on Pet Insurance.”

2. Schedule a Veterinarian Appointment for Your Pet

If not already done, your pet will need to be spayed or neutered, and vaccinated. This is something you do not want to put off and then have the unexpected situation of adding many more pets to your family! Generally speaking:

• Female puppies reach sexual maturity by six months, depending on size and breed.
• Male puppies reach sexual maturity around the age of 5 months (depending on size and breed).
• Female cats typically reach sexual maturity at 6 months.
• Male cats reach sexual maturity between six and twelve months.

3. Get your pet microchipped and ID tags

Even when pet parents do their best to keep their pets safe, a percentage of pets will somehow get lost. For example, someone accidentally leaves a door or gate open. Or, the pet becomes frightened by loud noises such as thunder or fireworks and frantically escapes their enclosure. It is sad and regrettable when the pet cannot be identified by animal control or rescues to reunite the pet with its owner. Microchips and ID tags won’t prevent these incidents from occurring, but they make it much more possible for you to get reunited with your pet.

A study published by the American Veterinary Medical Association included 53 shelters across the U.S. This study found a high rate of return of microchipped dogs and cats to their families compared to those animals not microchipped. This study also pointed out the importance of getting the microchip registered with a database. For your convenience, we have included an article from the Humane Society on Registering Your Pet’s Microchip.

4. Grooming your pet

Most pets, no matter if they are long, medium, or short hair, need some form of grooming, such as brushing and/or getting nails trimmed. Brushing your pet’s fur will help to keep the fur and skin healthy. It can also help you bond more with your pet. PetMD has some good data on how to groom your dog or cat.

5. Have a carrier, crate, or harness for your pet

You will need a carrier, crate, or harness on hand for your pet at all times. For one, you will need a way to safely transport your pet to and from the veterinarian. Also, you want to have one on hand in case of an emergency and you need to evacuate your home quickly. You can visit the ASPCA site for safety tips while traveling in the car with your pet.

Final Words

Bringing in a new pet into your home can add so much joy to your life. While there are some things you cannot predict, like a sudden emergency, there are many things you can do to make your home safe for your pet. We at Amigo Animal Clinic hope you find the above tips helpful on your new journey with your furry friend. If you have not yet scheduled your pet to see a veterinarian, contact us to schedule an appointment.