Match Made In Heaven? 5 Things Every New Pet Parent Should Expect
Thinking about adopting a cat? This can definitely be an exciting transition, but it can also be a stressful one, especially if this will be your very first pet.
Although they can help us lower our stress levels, animals require a lot of time and attention to thrive and stay healthy. But as long as you are prepared for these aspects of pet ownership, you should be able to keep things stress-free and fun.
In this guest post, we will discuss 5 things every new pet parent should expect!
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5 Things Every New Pet Parent Should Expect and Prepare For
Some surprises are good, but unexpected Vet bills, behavioral frustrations, and other cat parenting mysteries are on the very “naughty list!”
Thankfully, the good far outweighs the “bad.”
If you are finding yourself a little overwhelmed, here are a few things every new pet parent should expect and what you can do about it!
Vet Bills
Depending on what type of cat you get and what type of health issues their breed might have, you could end up spending a few hundred or a few thousand on vet care each year. Now, you can take steps to keep those expenses low, including searching for local vet schools and buying pet meds online.
Holly’s note: In our home, Chewy is the place to go for all things pets, including their low-cost pharmacy.
Pet Messes
If you currently have a spotless home and a spotless wardrobe, you should enjoy it while it lasts. When you open up your home to a new pet, you are also opening up your life to a few pet messes.
From cat hair to potty issues, there are quite a few ways your new pet can leave a mark on your home. However, with the right cleaning tips, you don’t have to let pet messes stress you out.
Break out a squeegee to banish pet hair from rugs and carpet fast and make sure you keep an enzymatic cleaner on hand when you are getting your kitten used to a litter box.
If your cat is refusing to use their litter box, for example, you might want to give this litter attractant a try.
Aside from aesthetics, a clean home also comes with feel-good benefits such as reduced stress and tension. Therefore, keeping your home clean can be beneficial to your pet’s behavior.
Bad Behaviors
Even if your pet is well-behaved, you will want to stock up on essential cleaning supplies, but you can also use essential training tips to prevent many pet messes in the first place.
Proper litter box training is crucial to help curb accidents as your cat gets older. Regular training can also promote positive mental stimulation and enhance your bond.
If your cat needs to expend some energy, you may choose to give them access to your backyard. But this requires a lot of forethought since cats aren’t prone to staying in the yard.
This starts with having a fence. Don’t have a fence surrounding your yard? You’ll need one to ensure your pet stays safe and doesn’t run away from home. This is certainly a task you can DIY if you have the skills, but it’s best to leave this one to the pros.
You can find a fence service by reviewing customer ratings and reviews. Just be sure to explain that this is for your cat, which may require a different type of design. Note, the average cost of a fence is around $4,500, so you want someone who knows how to do the job correctly.
On the other hand, invisible fences are great options for many pet parents, and are often much less expensive to install.
Travel Concerns
Think that getting a cat means putting off those vacations? Well, that doesn’t have to be the case! When you’re ready to plan your next vacation, you can always leave your pet in a professional, caring environment.
Another option is to hire a cat sitter to take care of your pet while you are away. Research local sitters online first and then schedule a meeting so that you can be sure to find the right fit for your pet.
You also can think about bringing your best friend along for the ride. With more folks traveling with their cats these days, it’s pretty simple to find pet-friendly accommodations and activities. It’s also important for cat parents to keep safety and comfort a top priority when traveling with pets.
Related Reading: Cats on Vacation: 7 Things To Prepare & Pack
Endless Love and Affection
Okay, so this is what you’ve really been waiting for! As stressful as it may be to adapt to the responsibilities of owning a pet, the rewards are well worth any effort.
Cats can provide a lifetime of love and companionship, but the perks of cat ownership can also extend to your physical and mental health.
Cat owners are just as social and active as dog owners, which can be beneficial for their long-term well-being. Just try to remember that building that bond can take some time. So, if you feel frustrated with your new pet, don’t give up!
Becoming a cat parent can change your life in so many different ways! Not only will you gain a new best friend, but you are likely to gain some incredible benefits for your overall health and well-being.
You just need to be prepared for the responsibilities of pet ownership ahead of time, to keep your stress levels low, and you also need to be prepared to exercise some patience. Then, you’ll have all you need to avoid getting stressed out by your first cat.
Conclusion
It’s true, there will be times of frustration, worry, and sadness as a pet parent. Things happen that we can’t predict.
But there is so much we can plan for and that saves us time, energy, money, and sanity! 😀
- Are you a new pet parent?
- Do you have tips for someone who is adopting a pet for the first time?
- What is your biggest challenge as a pet parent?
We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below!
As always, if you’ve found this content to be helpful, please share with your social media friends and family. I appreciate you so much! ❤️
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About Today’s Guest Author:
Jessica Brody created Our Best Friends so others could find a place to share stories and photos of their beloved animal companions.
She has been sharing some great content with us here at Cat Care Solutions. If you haven’t already, take a look at her other work:
With Love & Healing Purrs,
All those and the last one is the very best. They are worth every bit of it.
Have a fabulous day, Holly. Big hug. ♥
Amen to that my friend! ♥️
Sending love to you as always. Thank you for coming by! More hugs.
These are fantastic tips and things to be aware – a must read for all new pet owners & those considering getting a furbaby. There’s the Invisible Fence you told me about too!
I love that you’ve mentioned the need for patience and perseverance, because it’s not just training and breaking in a new cat/dog, but building up that bond and relationship. I wonder how many people get frustrated or disheartened after just two weeks, then give the pet back, whereas if they’d given it a few months they might find themselves in a totally different situation? These things can take time, but it’s well, well worth it.
🐾🐾🐾 Fabulous post as always, Holly! 🐾🐾🐾 xx
I agree wholeheartedly with you, Caz. These are definitely tips that every new pet owner should consider, no matter which type of pet it is. Jessica has knocked it out of the park again. 🙂
You are 100% right about how many people give up entirely too soon. Plus, animals really do bond with us which makes surrendering them that much more painful. Any healthy relationship, including the ones with our pets, must be nurtured over time. As we build trust, we build love.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, my friend. It’s always amazing to get your feedback. ❤️
“Any healthy relationship, including the ones with our pets, must be nurtured over time” < that's very true. And pets are at a disadvantage because they're in a strange environment, they may not have other cats to make them feel like the odd one out, and they can't speak (not our language, at least!) Well done to Jessica on the post, and to you for sharing xxxx
These are great tips for anyone considering adopting a pet. Definitely save up for unexpected vet bills! It’s crazy what they charge sometimes. We were charged $15 just for the vet to look in our cat’s ear! Maybe I should become a vet. 🤔
Speaking of cat adoption – the local shelter was at full capacity last week and were worried they were going to have to start euthanizing some cats. They held an adoption event over the weekend and every single cat was adopted!! Amazing!
I nodded my head in full agreement with you about the Vet bills! It is unbelievable what medical expenses cost – for us and our pets. $15 just to look in your cat’s ear is insane. Especially since you were already charged just to walk in the door.
I was having a conversation about this very issue just the other day with the lady at the animal shelter. We were talking about how so many people would be amazing pet parents but simply can’t afford to be. The rising cost of food and Vet bills are unreasonable. It’s sad how many precious animals die in shelters only because the potential owners are afraid of whether or not they can afford them. (sigh)
Your story of the adoption event warmed my heart though! Wow!! That is amazing, Michelle. ❤️ Wow, thank you for the good news. I needed that!