Adopting a pet is one of the best things a person can do. Pets provide friendship and help a person to reduce their mental stress. Pets are great for families as they also help to teach children responsibility as they need to take care of the pet. That being said, having a pet isn’t just all fun. It’s a proper responsibility. Once a person or family has decided they are ready for the responsibility of a pet, they need to decide what kind of pet they want to get. The most common pets in the United States are dogs and cats. There’s a good reason for this. Both animals can form deep bonds with their owners and are fun to play with or to pet. There’s not a lot of things that make you feel better when you’ve got a cold or a flu than a pet recognizing you’re ill and cuddling up with you until you feel better. This article is going to look at the various aspects of adopting a cat or dog.
Adopting a Dog
There’s a variety of ways you can find a dog to adopt. Many people think that it’s worth it to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on a puppy from a breeder. The sad thing is so many of these dogs are produced in puppy mills where the animals aren’t treated correctly. There’s a wide variety of shelters and rescues around the country which have lots of animals that are ready to be adopted. They can range from puppies to senior dogs. One great thing about adopting from a shelter or rescue is that they will have been brought up to the best possible health, while you may not get such guarantees from a classified ad or breeder.
Adding a dog to a home will mean making some changes to your life and your lifestyle. Dogs thrive on routine. Getting their food and walking at the same time every day can be really beneficial to them and often quite beneficial to their owner as well. It will be important after you adopt the dog to spend time with it and build a bond and some rules. If the dog needs to be trained, prioritizing this is a must. If you’ve adopted a puppy or older dog from a rescue or shelter, there’s a good chance that the dog has had some training already, which can save a lot of time.
An important part of having a dog is having the right supplies for the dog. You want to make sure they have proper food and water bowls. They should also have a good leash and a comfortable pet bed or two. It’s important to give your dog toys to help stimulate their mind. Puzzle toys can keep a dog interested and keep them from acting out.
Adopting a Cat
Adopting a cat can be very similar to adopting a dog. One difference though is the amount of time it can take a cat to adapt to new surroundings. It’s much easier when you first adopt a cat to limit it to a single room. Give it a few days to adjust before introducing it to the remainder of your home. Cats are very cautious by nature. Don’t force them early. The best thing you can do is just be there for them nearby and go about your normal day. Pay them some attention more as they feel comfortable leaving their safe hidey hole spot in their new home.
Adopting a cat is similar in that they will require water and food dishes, and beds to sleep in. Cats absolutely thrive with playtime as well, so toys are required. Playing with toys is the best way to help them get exercise each day and in shape. Each cat has their own preference for types of toys.
When adopting a kitten, it’s important to consider getting two kittens rather than one. Kittens thrive growing up with a friend and are less likely to become extra anxious if there is no human around. This can also be beneficial when raising them as they won’t need quite as much attention as a single kitten would need. While adorable, those little fuzz balls can be needy.
