By Emma Lawson,
So you got a pet and it’s come to stay, maybe as a gift to your kids or yourself, and there is no way the kids are letting it go. But you are clueless about what to do and how to care of it and the panic is starting to set in. If this is your first pet and you don’t have anything they need, don’t despair, with these simple tips we will help you get over the initial shock and start your new life with a pet in it. Here’s how to housetrain your pet and pet-train your kids.
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Introduce them to their new home step by step
Your new four legged friend will be confused and lost in their new space, so try introducing them to the house one room at a time. Start with the room they will get their food and water in. Let the kids know they should contain the excitement and let the animal get used to the space on their own. Do the same with the people in the house – introduce them one by one, let the animal go to them first and smell them and let kids show affection only after this phase.
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Get pet supplies and teach kids how to care for the pet
You will need to get all the things your pet will need or you can improvise and use something from the house. These are the basics: water and food bowls, tagged collar and leash, pet bed, nail trimmers, grooming brush for dogs, soft brush for cats, litter box and sifter for cats, chew toys for dogs, toys and scratching posts for cats and a per carrier. Give your kids chores that are within their skill level, like help with cleaning and maintenance, brushing, grooming and walking the pet.
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Pet food
It is fairly easy to get pet food, all you need to do is go to a pet store or order online. Some universal pet food is Royal Canin Prescription for example, you can use it both for dogs and cats, it has all the nutrients they need to strengthen their bones and teeth and keep them healthy. You can ask at the pet shop what is best for your pet as well. Teach your kids consistent pet-care routines: feedings, walkings and cage clearings, and make sure they understand these can’t be skipped.
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Pet health
There are several things you will need to take care of concerning the health of your pet. These are vaccinations, and heartworm, flea and tick control. You can locate the nearest vet in your area and they will be able to help you out with all of these. It is also a good idea to put together a pet first aid kit, you can get more info on pet first aid from your vet. Let the kids know they can’t feed the pet anything they wish, they should keep all chemicals away from the pet, and that skipping feeding or taking them out in extremely cold weather could cause them to get sick.
These are just the initial steps to help you get through the first few days of owning your pet. Give your kids easier chores in the beginning and slowly increase them. Praise them for every well performed pet chore. After a few weeks, the pet will start to show their personality and you will be able to get to know each other well and the routines will settle in. It only gets better, so enjoy this new addition to your family!
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