As new pet owners it can be nerve wracking to try and understand what your pet will need. In this blog we try and offer some useful top tips to ensure you are prepared for your new pet’s arrival.

Useful tips for new pet owners on pet care

Pets are indeed a good companion to have. Its love for you doesn’t resemble any other love since it is unconditional. But because they are living things, taking care of them will always be a challenge for their owners. You should know that your beloved pets can make you happy, but only if they are well-fed and healthy. Here are some useful tips for pet owners on how to easily take care of them.

New pet owners find pet sitters

As a new pet owner you should know that you can keep your pets safe and sound at home when you travel by finding free checked pet sitters. How, you might  ask? Belonging to a well managed housesitting and pet sitting community will give you peace of mind when you go away, and it will save you a lot of money, especially if you like holidays or long tern travel.

Join a housesitting and petsitting network

A housesitting network like HouseSitMatch can be a great boost for new pet owners. It offers access to checked free house and pet sitters for a modest annual fee. Then you build a profile like on Facebook and you create an advert with your dates for when you are going away. House and pet sitters apply and you choose which sitter comes to your home to care for your pets and home while you are away.

Try a network that offers trusted pet sitters who pet sit for free

The beauty of a trusted housesitting and petsitting network like Housesitmatch.com, especially for new pet owners is that we have thoroughly ID checked all our members for safety.

We also strongly encourage our sitters to secure an up to date Police and Background check, and we facilitate this by offering access to this system wherever they are in the world. The checks are usually ready within 7-14 days online. And once the ID check and if appropriate the background checked are completed they display online via the member profile.

So every one can see when the checks are clear and complete. We like to offer transparency to build trust within our network.

Petsitters for free come with benefits

• Save money- The most useful element of this housesitting and petsitting arrangement is that the pet sitters do not charge you for their time. Based on old fashioned barter the petsitters you find are offering their services for free, in exchange for free accommodation during your absence.
• Companions for your pets in their own home – Another benefit of having petsitters living in your home to care for your pets is that the pets get the undivided attention of the sitter. You have pet minders for your pets, dog sitters at their home. Your pets are their sole responsibility. Your pets are not fighting for the attention of one or two kennel carers among a pack of other dogs.
• Added home and possibly garden care – Apart from caring for and cherishing your pets they will also look after your home, garden and property. Basically they will pet sit like a friend might, if the friend could spare the time you are away from home. No money should change hands. The only cost you incur is the small annual membership fee.

Use Pet Food Delivery Services

Your pet health is should be your priority, and what they eat plays a major role in this part. A way to ensure there is available food available for them is through convenient pet food delivery services especially when you are not always at home with them.

Pet Food Delivery Services are available in many different places. Some places offer convenient home delivery services that will deliver fresh food for your pets straight to your door. This is super convenient. And it means you have good service to feed your beloved pet and save yourself some time. 

Ordering online is easy

They offer many options such as ordering online, choosing a scheduled delivery date of food, or even having it delivered by specific times of the day so that they always have fresh food available. Depending on the type of food that your pet gets, they will most likely need to eat specific types of foods for them to be healthy and happy.

Keep Them Away From Harm

As new pet owners you want to protect your pets from harm because pets always love interacting with people. That is why you must teach them how to behave and interact with other people. Keep them away from the things they could swallow when chewing since this can lead to their death.

It’s also a good thing to have them microchipped and registered so that you can easily locate them if they become lost. This will give you great relief and peace of mind knowing that you don’t have to panic about where and what could happen to them.

You should not leave them unattended especially when around chemicals or harmful items such as glass and other fragile stuff. Make sure that you keep them away from those things or else those things can cause accidents. Keeping a first aid kit will come in handy just in case your pets get into accidents during playtime and other activities.

Keep pets safe

In this way, you would know exactly what to do if they happen to be involved in a life-threatening accident. 

It is also a good way to make them sit still while you give them immediate treatment before taking them or them to the veterinarian if necessary. If you can, use pet-proofing techniques so that they won’t be able to enter certain areas of your home especially the ones which are off-limits for them.

Pet Proofing Gates and Latches

You should use childproof gates, latches and locks on cabinets, drawers, outlets covers, etcetera since these are some of the places where they can find toxic items.

Take Them To The Vet Regularly

It doesn’t matter if your pet is healthy or not. You should still take them to the vet now and then for a check-up. If there are symptoms that make you think that something is wrong with them, then check their annual vaccine. You should get your pet vaccinated depending on his or her age and breed.

In this way, as a new pet owner you can expect that he or she will live long and free from diseases since they are protected against common contagious diseases.

Regular Vet Check Ups

The regular vet check up serves as a good way to monitor their health, which is why you should not neglect to do this. If your pet happens to have something wrong with them, then the earlier that you give them treatment, the better it is for them. It would also help if you can be there for most of their appointments so that they wouldn’t feel left out.

Keep Your Pets In Good Shape

Another thing that you might want to do is to walk them whenever you can. Keeping your pets active means that they will have more energy when they are at home. This will allow them to play longer with their toys and any willing participant. If they’re healthy, then they will also be more active.

This is important, especially if you’re away for most of the day at work. If your pet has grown lazy due to lack of exercise, then it would be best for you to take them out now and then so that they would remain in good shape. They should also get enough sleep after you’re done going out.

Create A Healthy Environment For Them

Creating a healthy environment for your pet starts with providing them with a clean area inside and outside of your house. There should always be clean water so they can drink whenever they want to, and food that’s not stale. Even though it may be hard to keep some parts of your house clean all the time, as a pet owner you must try.

You should always try your best to keep everything as clean as possible. You can use cleaning supplies or start using automatic robot vacuum cleaners.

If they’re not lying on the floor or their pet bed cleans it. You should be cleaning those areas at least once a week. This is especially true when you have big pets with long hair who shed. If there’s dirt and dust in corners of your home they like, then clean the area with soap and water or vinegar and water.

Let Them Be Pampered Once In A While

One other thing that you might want to do is to pamper them once in a while. Since pets are so lovable, and your buddy they deserve some affection from their owners. You can cuddle up with your dog and give them kisses whenever you’re around the house. Not only would they feel comfortable and loved, but they will also feel more attached to you as well.

You mustn’t neglect your pet so that they would not lose interest in you and play with other dogs instead. 

Final thoughts on top tips for new pet owners

If your pet feels loved, then it’s less likely to go after other animals. It is also less like to attach other people. At the end of the day, it would be best for pet owners to provide lots of love and care to their furry friends.

The various ways to find pet sitters in summary

So depending on how many and what kind of pets you have at home, you may need to consider their care with some care. The costs of professional pet sitters, and the risks of multiple occupancy kennels cannot be ignored.

In addition the free collaborative arrangement you can have through a housesitting and petsitting network like Housesitmatch can bring many advantages not least the undisrupted care for your pets in their own home. Of course there is the cost saving because the sitters do not cost you anything, as no money changes hands in this collaborative arrangement.

And you may even make a new friend or two in the process. Many of our sitters go back for repeat assignments by arrangement. Whatever you decide to do we want to wish you a happy housesitting and petsitting experience!

JOIN HOUSESITMATCH AS NEW PET OWNERS TO FIND SITTERS

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

The Affordable Alternative to Dog Kennels