BRINGING YOUR FIRST PUPPY HOME?
Isn’t the thought of becoming a first-time pet parent exciting? Yes, thinking about a cute little furball running around the house is truly exciting. You probably cannot wait to meet your new family member and enjoy the companionship from day one. This post is all about bringing your first puppy home.
In America, approximately 65.1 million households have a dog. People usually get a furry friend because they promote social connections, can help relieve stress, and boost confidence. However, little puppies don’t come with a user manual, making it hard for first-time pet owners.
Steps to Take Before Bringing Your New Puppy Home
There are things you might forget before bringing them home. For instance, the excitement of getting a puppy might make you forget about pet-proofing the home or getting the correct pet supplies. Raising the munchkin might get overwhelming and challenging for you if that happens.
RELATED: Unleash Your Style with the Boutique De FGG Puppy Evening Bag!
In this blog, we’ll talk about five things that you shouldn’t forget to do before getting your first puppy.
#1. Researching the Breed
The next thing you might forget is to consider whether your lifestyle can complement the pup’s preferences. You cannot get a puppy just because it’s cute.
Moreover, the dog’s skills, food habits, and temperament will depend on the breed you’re getting. For example, you cannot expect low maintenance if you’re getting a Golden Retriever or Border Collie puppy.
That’s why you must perform proper breed research before getting the dog. Doing that will help you with the following aspects of the breed:
- Understanding their unique personality traits.
- Anticipating their social skills and compatibility with other pets.
- Gaining insight into the common health concerns of the breed.
During your research, you should analyze the breed’s physical characteristics first. These include their height, weight, trainability, and shedding information. Moreover, understanding the breed’s genetic makeup will help you determine everyday maintenance, necessary pet supplies, food habits, energy levels, temperament, etc.
#2. Getting Pet Supplies
Even with all the excitement of getting a puppy, you might end up feeling underprepared when they get home. That usually happens when you don’t have proper pet supplies based on your dog’s breed and age. Before your little furball gets home, you’ll need to get durable toys, treats, medications, grooming supplies, and more.
However, rushing to the store at the last minute isn’t the right way or a viable option. If you do that, you might end up getting pet supplies that aren’t compatible with or safe for your puppy’s breed.
That’s where a pet supply subscription comes in. A dog subscription box will have the correct amount of food, toys, safe medication, and other supplies. You can opt for a monthly delivery of these products to ensure you’re properly taking care of your puppy. In some cases, this monthly subscription box comes with a 24/7 vet care service for your dog.
According to PetCareRx, pet subscription boxes are perfect for first-time dog parents. The best part is that you can customize the service based on your dog’s age and breed. That way, you’ll have access to refilled medications, tasty treats, and new toys every month. This online service will also offer better value, as you might get discounts.
#3. Maintenance Costs
Before your first puppy home, another thing you might forget to consider is the overall maintenance cost throughout the dog’s life. Yes, dogs are quite expensive to take care of. For instance, you’ll have to spend money on neutering, medicines, pet insurance, food, grooming, vet care, etc.
According to USA Today, the average monthly cost could be USD 376. However, it can be more, depending on the breed’s health and needs. Approximately 91% of pet parents have experienced financial stress due to the rising cost of pet care. Hence, 33% of them had to look for a second earning opportunity to support themselves.
All these prove that you need to be financially stable enough to get a puppy. Similarly, you should be able to support your lifestyle even after spending hundreds of dollars on your beloved pet.
#4. Pet-Proofing the Home
Your life will change the moment you bring your puppy home. They are inherently curious and will do things they aren’t supposed to, somewhat similar to a baby. Every parent will baby-proof their home the moment they start crawling.
Therefore, you should do the same for pets. Many things around the house can harm the little furball. Pet-proofing ensures that your home’s furniture stays safe and your dog isn’t hurt.
For example, you should keep hazardous food items out of the puppy’s reach. Dogs have food sensitivities to onions, raisins, grapes, chocolates, avocados, etc.
Your puppy might also get attracted to harmful products like cleaning supplies, washing liquids, antifreeze, fertilizers, etc. That’s why you shouldn’t keep chemicals at the same level as your puppy’s height.
Even vertical blinds and hanging cords aren’t safe from their curiosity. If they chew on these, it could lead to accidents that can harm your pet’s life. Hence, ensure to keep electrical cords and heavy blinds out of their reach.
You should also hide expensive furniture under a cover to protect its surface from your puppy’s claws, saliva, and teeth. Remember to cover any holes in the garden fence to stop your puppy from becoming an explorer.
#5. Pet Health Insurance
There’s a possibility that you haven’t considered the need for pet health insurance. Like humans, your puppy will also need medical care a few times throughout their life. That can be because of an emergency, planned surgeries, regular checkups, etc.
In either case, veterinary medication is becoming more advanced and expensive every day. For instance, a routine checkup could cost up to USD 250. Similarly, dental care, lab tests, and vaccines can cost you USD 1,500 per year. Emergency surgery can cost up to USD 5,000, depending on your pet’s injuries.
That’s why you need pet health insurance. With it, the vet can diagnose, manage, and treat your dog’s illnesses and injuries without burning a hole in your finances. Statistics suggest that 5.36 million pets were insured in 2022.
On average, the premiums for good pet insurance could cost you USD 528 per year. However, it will depend on the dog’s breed, age, gender, and location. Either way, it will cover 90% of the costs associated with cancer treatment, diabetes, accidents, heart murmurs, regular vet visits, etc.
To wrap it up, there are a few things to do before you bring your first puppy home. Make sure you’re fully prepared for the little cutie’s arrival. The first day with your pet will be the best, so make it special and hassle-free.
In a world of fur and wagging delight,
Embarking on a journey, pure and bright.
Bringing first puppy home, a cherished endeavor,
Here are some tips, for you to savor.
Prepare the space, make it cozy and warm,
A haven for your pup, away from harm.
First puppy home, a bundle of joy,
Puppy-proofed haven, no worries to deploy.
Anticipation rises, as the day draws near,
For that magical moment, crystal clear.
First puppy home, a life-changing embrace,
Tips to navigate, ensuring a seamless chase.
Patience is key, as bonds slowly mold,
Hearts entwined, a story to be told.
First puppy home, a tale to unfold,
A love story written, in paw prints bold.
Celebrate the milestones, big and small,
As your new companion responds to your call.
First puppy home, a chapter in time,
Tips to guide you, in rhythm and rhyme.
So here’s to the journey, with joy to roam,
As you welcome your pup to their forever home.
First puppy home, a memory to keep,
Tips in your heart, as you both take the leap.
Lisa Illman is the Founder of Kritter Kommunity, LLC. She has a tuxedo adult cat and has had him since he was a baby kitten. Before her cat Finnegan, Lisa had had two FIV-positive cats for over a decade. They inspired Lisa to invent a cat enclosure and a portable catio so they could safely sit outside and enjoy fresh air and sunshine. Lisa had a Poodle and a parakeet growing up. She currently loves to pet-sit for her neighbors’ dogs and cats.
Why is Kritter Kommunity Your Trusted Partner?
Our mission at Kritter Kommunity is to promote happy and healthy lives for pets and their owners. We specialize in Barkitecture and designing tips for pet-friendly homes, utilizing the natural instincts of cats, dogs, and small critters to create a home life that pets and people love. From tips on pet care to reviews on pet toys and furniture, we are a go-to source for all things cats, dogs and small critters. Join us in celebrating the joys of pet ownership and providing the best possible lives for our furry friends.
