If you are getting a new pet and need to get ready, then read this article. We offer top tips on how to prepare for a new pet at home. Whether you are an experienced pet owner or this is your first time, it is a good idea to prepare well in advance. That way you can ensure your home is not only warm and welcoming, but also safe and practical. Read on to learn more.

Top tips on how to prepare for a new pet

When you have a four legged friend, you take on a lot of commitment and responsibility. You decide that you’re going to support and provide for this animal for the duration of their life. Whether that’s a dog who lives on average 15 years or a tortoise who will likely live to 100. This means making a lot of lifestyle changes.

You’ll have to make sure that you’re committed to being able to care for your pet, which often means making sure that you can be home for significant periods of time and ensuring that your pet isn’t left alone for too long. You’ll have to commit to daily walks if this is something your pet requires. You may need to rearrange certain activities or events for pet friendly alternatives.

Holidays and getaways will involve finding and securing pet care. Your budget will radically change to accommodate pet food, veterinary bills, pet insurance and more. The list goes on and on. One area of your lifestyle that you will need to focus on changing is your home. Your home will become your pet’s home and you need to make sure that it meets your pet’s needs. Here are some areas to focus on that will help to make sure your home accommodates your pet’s individual needs.

Consider home space for your pet

First and foremost, before getting a pet, you need to make sure that you have enough space to accommodate the pet that you’re choosing. Do your research here. Some pets require a lot more space than others. Some pets, such as specific reptiles, will be fine with a tank, while others, such as cats and dogs, will require more space to roam. Also make sure to look at specific breeds. A Great Dane, for example, will be way too big for an apartment, while a Yorkshire Terrier will be fine in a one bed or even a studio.

Ensure there’s sufficient outdoor space

You should also consider whether any outdoor space is required. It’s highly recommended that anyone who opts for a pet dog has some sort of garden or secure outdoor space for their pet to use the bathroom in and play in. Some breeds will require more outdoor space than others. An active, working dog, for example, may need acres of farmland to bounce around on, while a companion breed may be fine with a small space to sniff around before heading back indoors. Some pets don’t require outdoor space. If you opt for a house cat, they will be fine roaming around your living spaces without ever having to step foot outside.

Remove toxic plants

If you’re a fan of houseplants, chances are, you already have a few in place in your home. But did you know that houseplants can actually prove extremely toxic when ingested by pets? Some species are fine. Others are toxic. Make sure to take time to research any plants you have in your home, making sure to remove any that could be potentially harmful and only investing in new ones that are pet friendly.

Move anything chewable

Some pets don’t chew anything. But as an experience pet owner will tell you, there are many who will chew whatever they can get their paws on. Moving anything chewable is a vital step in how to prepare for a new pet at home. Common culprits include rabbits and puppies. Take some time to look around your home and to move anything that could be chewable. This could be something that is dangerous to chew or something that would be costly to replace if chewed. You should avoid having much lying around on your floors to reduce the amount of things you pet could get into trouble with.

Consider flooring options

When you have a pet, you need to consider your flooring properly. Different pets will require different types of flooring to move around your home safely and while causing minimal damage. For example, some breeds of dogs have weak joints and may find themselves struggling with slippery floors that are hard to fall onto. Most pets with claws fare better on shorter pile carpets that are more durable and don’t wear down easily over time. Avoid loop pile carpets, which can catch in your pet’s claws, hurting them and causing damage that can be difficult to repair. If you have hardwood floors but want a soft area for your pet to lie down and rest on, you may want to consider rugs from a quality Rugstore.

Avoid light fabrics

Pets are messy. This is a given. While some pets are messier than others, most will cause some sort of mess. This is particularly true for pets who spend time outdoors and then come back inside your home. They can often bring mud and dirt back in with them. It’s generally best to avoid light coloured and toned fabrics where possible. These can harbour dirt more visibly and tend to stain more easily too. Darker fabrics can better conceal marks caused by pets.

Have a pet hair vacuum

Vacuuming your floors is going to become a more routine part of your chores when you have a pet. The vast majority of pets malt fur, meaning that hair and fur can begin to build up quickly on your furniture, in your carpets and elsewhere. Not all vacuum cleaners are great at picking this up, as it can sink and stick into the pile. Instead, make sure to invest in a pet hair vacuum cleaner that specialises in lifting pet fur. For a similar reason, you may also want to consider having lint rollers on hand around your home for use on your clothes or guests’ clothes. Alternatively, you may want to consider a hairless pet or a pet whose fur doesn’t malt, such as a sphinx cat or a Bichon Frise.

Use specialist paints

As we briefly mentioned above, pets can get muddy quickly – particularly those who spend time outdoors. If you’ve ever had a dog before, chances are, you’re familiar with the mess that can be made when they get in from a wet, muddy walk and shake. Mud can fling across all parts of your home, including the walls. Many pet owners choose to use specialist paints in areas that this is likely to happen, such as entrance ways and routes in and out of the garden. This paint can clean more easily, having a more wipe down effect. Clean the walls thoroughly and easily each time your pet causes a mess.

Invest in pet scratch guards

If you have a cat, you’ll know that scratching is a common issue. Most cats will scratch something in your home. While you can provide designated scratching poles and toys to reduce this, you may find that they still make a beeline for your furniture. The good news is that there are plenty of scratch guards available online that can be used to protect areas of your furniture that are within your pet’s reach. They tend to be made of clear plastic, so they’re not too noticeable.

Ensure your pet has the necessary essentials

A lot of people avoid having pet products around their home in a bid to maintain a certain aesthetic. But the truth is, if you’re going to have a pet, you need to make sure that they have the belongings they need readily available at all times. Whether that’s a comfortable bed, toys, blankets, throws or anything else, make space for it in your home.

How to prepare for a new pet in summary

These are just a few top tips that will help you to really prepare your home for the arrival of a new pet. Hopefully, some of the information will come in useful, helping you to keep you, your home and your pet in the best shape possible.

JOIN HOUSESIT MATCH

Join Housesitmatch.com a professional service that offers access to help you find free checked live in petsitters and housesitters, for a moderate annual fee. These petsitters will help you keep pets at home safely and happy in their daily routine.

FURTHER READING ON PETS AND FINDING PETSITTERS

What are pet sitting services?

What is in home pet sitting and how much will it cost?

Housesitters keep pets safe at home and save money