By Marné Amoguis
Getting a new pet requires a ton of shopping. Whether you’re getting your first pet ever or you’ve had pets before, you’ll need to start planning their entire lives before you pick them up and bring them home. Both puppies and kittens need a lot of stuff, including food, toys, and treats. Additionally, there are many things you must do besides shopping to ensure your home is safe and you’re ready to bring home a new furbaby.
Becoming a pet parent comes with many responsibilities, but we’ve got you covered. Here’s our ultimate new pet checklist.
Contents
Action Items
Before you can bring your puppy or kitten home, there are a few things you need to do.
Clean Your Home
Pets need tons of space, and a cluttered home is not the best environment for a growing puppy or kitten. Cleaning your home allows your new pet to safely get acquainted with their new surroundings. It also gives you the opportunity to get rid of anything that can be dangerous to your pet, including something they could swallow or poisonous plants.
Find a Vet
Next on your list will be finding a vet. You should research a few vets in your area before deciding which one is right for you. While your pet likely won’t be spending a ton of time at the vet, you need to ensure that they’ll be comfortable whenever they have to see their doctor. Some vets are better than others and provide a more inviting environment for pets. If you’re worried about who is treating your pet, look on vet websites to learn more about the different vets in your area. Finally, always read reviews about your local vets. If many people have had a bad experience with one vet, it’s always best to avoid them.
Find a Trainer
Unless you’ve trained many dogs before, you’ll need help teaching your puppy basic dog commands and how to behave. Kittens can also be trained, but it’s not as necessary as it is with energetic puppies and dogs. Finding a trainer specializing in puppies can help you learn the best ways to potty train your pet, teach them commands, and start basic foundational behavioral training.
If you’re bringing home a pet from a shelter, you might choose a vet who specializes in behavioral problems. Many shelter pets have anxiety due to their circumstances and may exhibit signs of aggression. If you bring home a dog who doesn’t seem friendly, you’re going to need the help of a professional behavioral trainer. Remember, dog reactivity (also known as aggression) is typically a symptom of anxiety, so you should never punish your pup; instead, you want to show them they’re safe and loved in your home.
New Pet Items
Once you’ve completed all the things you need to do for your pet to have a safe, happy life in your home, you’ll need to start buying them all the stuff they need, including:
Food and Water Bowls
Every pet needs to eat and drink. When looking for feeding bowls for your pet, opt for stainless steel that’s easy to clean. You might also want to get a placemat for your pet in case they’re a messy eater. You should also get travel-size bowls if you decide to take them on an outside adventure.
Food
Of course, you’ll also need to feed your pet. If you’re not sure what to feed your pet, you can call a local vet who can tell you the best types of food for your pet based on their age and current health.
Treats
Whether you’re training or rewarding your pet, you’ll need tons of treats. Select some premium treats to reward your pet for good behavior while they’re still learning what’s acceptable and what isn’t. For example, you can reward your pet for coming when called or when they’ve performed their first trick.
Litterbox
This item is for cats only, but it’s necessary for cats and kittens. If you don’t want your cat learning that it’s okay to go potty anywhere they please, you’ll need to litterbox train them.
Crate
Crate training your dog is a great way to keep them out of trouble while you’re gone during the day, and it also prepares them if you ever need to board them while you travel. When trying to find a good size for your dog, remember that they should be able to stand up and move around in a circle. Eventually, your pet’s crate will become a place where they feel secure and can go to get some much-needed alone time.
Toys
All pets need toys to keep them busy while you’re home or away. Toys provide your pet with mental stimulation that can make them smarter and keep them entertained throughout the day. Additionally, dogs love to chew, so it’s essential to get them a healthy, safe bone to chew or clean their teeth and massage their gums.
Leash and Collar
You probably won’t need a leash for your cat unless you intend to walk them outside, but all pets need a collar with pet ID tags just in case they get lost and found by someone else. If you have a dog, you should bring a leash outside, even if your dog is trained to be off-leash. Leashes are a requirement in many public places, and walking your dog is easier knowing they won’t be able to leave your side. You may want to invest in a dog backpack if you enjoy the outdoors and want to take them hiking or camping with you.
Pet Gate
Sometimes you just don’t want your dog going into a particular room. Perhaps you have a tiny baby crawling around, or you think too many people in one area will be overwhelming for your pet. In any case, a pet gate can help keep your pets in one place of your home to feel secure and out of harm’s way. You can also keep a pet gate near your front door to stop your pet from running out when you come home from work.
Stain Remover
This product isn’t for your pet, but it’s a great thing to have around the house. Pets make stains. Whether your new puppy had an accident or your kitty spilled wet food on the carpet, you need stain and odor removal to keep your home clean and bacteria-free. Stain remover can help you remove pet stains and odors while leaving your house in pristine condition.
Final Thoughts
Having a new pet requires planning and being prepared for anything. Check items off this new pet checklist before bringing your new puppy or kitten home.
Marné Amoguis holds a B.A in International Business from UC San Diego. She is a contributing writer at 365businesstips.com where she loves sharing her passion for digital marketing. Outside of writing, she loves traveling, playing music, and hiking.
- Marné Amoguishttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/marne-amoguis/
- Marné Amoguishttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/marne-amoguis/
This is extremely helpful for us, we are considering having a dog, so this list is perfect for us. Thank you so much for writing this article x
At first I thought crates were cruel, but then my sister got one for her dog and her dog loved to go in the crate when she felt intimidated by people visiting.
Indeed, having a pet is like having a child. This is a long list which I can see as expenses lol. But the happiness they bring are just worth it!
Great tips. I like to take collapsible bowls and I always have treats and snacks on hand.
Nice list! I do hope I won’t need it any time soon but it also partly matches my current relocation checklist for a pet (we are going to be reunited very-very soon and I am hyper-excited)
It’s like having a new baby at home! I love my doggies so much! All these tips are great and on point!
I have just rescued a dog this year and this sure is a great checklist! I was happy I was able to get in with the vet near me since I’ve heard it can be hard these days since there is such high demand.
This was a useful read. I’m hoping to get a dog when we move in a few years. I already started doing research so this has come in helpful.
It’s crucial to properly plan and organize everything. Your furry friend needs to feel welcomed and at home. It’s just like bringing a baby home for the first time.
Great list. When getting a pet for the first time I think a lot of people forget to check their homes for things like cables and plants that my be poisonous.
Oh my! It’s true that we never think about all the things before bringing home a new pet. I would’ve never thought about finding a vet even though there’s one right around the corner from where I live.
I am still having mixed emotions about getting a new pet. It is so much like having a newborn and I am not sure if my household is ready for that just yet. Although a lot of people I know got new pets during this pandemic, I am not sold about the idea since having a pet entails additional visits to the vet, the mall, and we are currently minimizing those to get less exposure to the virus. I will keep this new pet checklist in mind, though.
So many good tips! I don’t own a dog but have two young boys so I know the request is coming in the future! Saving this for later
Pet are essential part of life, giving them a good life is also a top priority, when pets are well cared for, they become part of everyday life.
Im so looking forward to having my first pet. Thanks for sharing these, I found it really helpful especially for first-timers like me
I’m looking to get a new pet soon and these will be very helpful. I need to learn more about the vet.
This is a great list. There is so much to do before you get an animal, but just as much you need to get for your new animal. Getting a pet can’t be a spur-of-the-moment thing. You want to make sure that you do everything you need to because they are dependent on you. When you don’t do your part… I feel this is when people are so quick to give up their pets to someone else.
I am sending the link to this post to my daughter. My 6 year old grandson has been begging us to buy him a puppy. Your checklist would be a big help for them to prepare everything before they decide to bring a puppy home.
Nnniiiiccceeeee….this is as comprehensive as it gets, a checklist! Thanks for sharing it.
Owning a pet is a life-long responsibility. Thanks for sharing these tips. New dog owners or those planning to own should read this article.
Finding a vet is important indeed. When our dog got sick we had to find a nearby vet and thank goodness there was one. You never know when you need them!
It is so easy to forget the essentials needed when you first get a new furry friend because of all the excitement. This is a great checklist!
This is the perfect list for all new pet owners! I wish we would have had this when we rescued our dog.
These are all excellent recommendations, and most of them should be done before you bring your pet home. Anyone thinking about getting a pet should read this.
Great tips and recommendations! I don’t have a pet but have heard from friends and family that do. It really is so important to plan and prepare for our fur babies, just like we would for a small child. But one thing is for sure, regardless of fur babies, babies, or adults, always have treats!