Adopting a pet is a very responsible step that needs people to make their home prepared for accepting a new family member. If you're an inexperienced pet owner, this post is for you. The top five steps to prepare your home for a shelter pet will help you make the process of adopting less stressful for your furry friend.
Make Your Home Safe for a Pet
For starters, you need to make your home safe and secure for your pet. There is no option to explain rules to animals and forbid them to explore everything in a new home. Pets will bite and scratch everything.
For starters, you need to take care of any cords in your home. Even pups and kittens can chew them and access copper wiring. Note, the current can harm or even kill animals. Thereupon, you need to attach all the cables to the ceiling or put them into a hard protective case.
Don't forget that trash cans usually attract pets, so that you need to purchase a tightly-closing container for trash and pet food. Also, you need to examine the HVAC system in your home if you don't want your pet to get into the ventilation system or leave your house without permission.
After all, check out doors and windows as cats can jump high and climb. They can easily reach a windowsill and leave home through an open window.
Set a Pet's Space
All animals like having a personal space where they feel secure and comfortable. Make sure that your new family friend has his spot to stay in your home. Otherwise, a pet will find it with no help from aside. In such a case, be prepared that your furry friend will sleep in a laundry basket.
Unfortunately, a pet may dislike a chosen place and prefer another one. If so, you will need to change the spot's location. If there is no option to do so, feel free to train your pet. For instance, you can reward a dog with the best wet puppy food when he reaches his space.
Secure Home Plants
People like decorating their homes with plants. They add some nature into concrete buildings and produce free air. Unfortunately, some plans may be toxic for animals. Therefore, you need to research and get rid of any harmful plants.
Remember, animals like digging ground. If you don't want dirt from vases to be on the floor, put all the plants in places that can hardly be reached by pets.
Prepare Play Areas
TV shows and mobile devices do not attract animals. They like exploring the territory, playing with toys, and rushing around. If you don't want your pet to run around the house, climb on curtains, and play with your socks, you need to prepare a playground area in advance.
For instance, purchase a cat condo or a scratching pole before adopting a feline. If you're planning to take a dog from a shelter, you can attach a rope to a wall so that your canine will play by biting and pulling it.
Purchase Pet Supplies and Food
First of all, you need to purchase a litter box and bowls for your pet's food and water; these are essentials. They will chew toys and leave your boots safe, which is a benefit. Also, check out toys that stimulate mental development in pets.
You need to buy enough food for your family member. Remember, pets can be fussy, especially cats. Therefore, feel free to purchase a lot of different types of feline food with various tastes. Alternatively, you can buy the Hills Science diet cat food. It is a multipurpose meal that most felines like.
Top Training Tips for Pet Owners
In most cases, pets need to be trained after adoption. Training helps strengthen the connection and correct a pet's behavior. Down below, you will find the top training tips.
Reward
Reward-based learning is the most reliable way to train pets and correct their behaviors. Always provide treats to your pet when he does something correctly. As a consequence, he will always act in a particular way to get a treat again.
Be Patient
There is another concept that you should stick to, training your pet. Always be patient and never shout at your furry friend. It can only hurt and make your pet scared of you.
Avoid Distractions
Animals can easily be distracted. Therefore, if you want your training sessions to be effective, you need to perform them in a place that is free from distractions like toys or other animals.
Helpful Recommendation
There is one thing that everyone who wants to get a pet from a shelter should know. Remember, the adoption process is very stressful for animals. After bringing a pet to a new place, you shouldn't disturb them for a particular period. On average, the adjustment period for pets lasts from one to two days.
