22 Ways Getting A Pet Changes Your Life

The life adjustments that come with getting a pet can seem totally intimidating, but once you have a four-legged BFF in your arms, that big decision you fretted over feels like a no-brainer.

Animal lovers know that pets are so more than just lap warmers. Our dogs, cats, rabbits, and lizards teach us important life lessons, like the importance of being a good listener and indulging in the occasional afternoon nap. Not to mention, studies show that having pets can lower blood pressure, make us more active, and generally improve mood – and that’s science.

As animal guardians, we sometimes lose sight of how much value our pets add to our lives. After all, they’ve been by our sides for so long we sometimes can’t even remember what life was like before we adopted them. If we had to try and imagine what our lives were like before our beloved pets came into the picture, we think it would be a little bit like the first part of The Wizard of Oz that’s still in black and white. Basically, the part you always fast-forward through until the technicolor comes in.

While you were once a dedicated food Instagrammer, life after dog means your feed is now overflowing with your pooch doing just about everything. Your paycheck is now spent on very different things than life B.D. (before dog), and as for your car? Well, you never expect the seats to be clean again.

You’ll undoubtedly find that the mess and the money is all worth the unconditional love and joy your dog offers every single day. In the comics below, illustrator John Huang captures the beautiful life he shares with his golden retriever Maimai. All dog owners are sure to relate.

“All I can think of after work is to go home knowing [my pets are] waiting for me, feels great and sweet,” John wrote.

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#1

Getting a pet is very exciting but — as UK’s veterinary charity The People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals points out — providing everything for a new animal can be overwhelming. To choose the right pet and understand its needs, the organization suggests to think P-E-T-S: place, exercise, time, and spend (with bonus points for additional knowledge.)

Deciding to get a dog shouldn’t be an impulsive choice. Often when people impulsively take home a cute puppy, the dog may eventually ends up at the shelter because the people didn’t realize the implications of committing to dog ownership.

#2

Before getting a dog, you need to figure out if you want a puppy or an older dog, as well as what breed of dog would suit you best.

A little puppy is always cute and fun, but they typically have a lot of energy and will need plenty of attention. If you do not have a lot of time and energy to spend socializing and training an active puppy, and you do not feel up to cleaning up little “oopsies” while house-training the puppy, then perhaps you should look at adopting an older dog.

An adult dog may not need as much maintenance as a puppy, but it may have some habits that still need some training. Most adult dogs come housetrained and, especially when adopting a senior dog, their energy level may be lower than a puppy.

#3

Besides thinking about whether you want a puppy or an adult dog, the breed of dog that you would like to adopt is an important aspect to consider. Each breed has its own rewards and challenges. Don’t just pick a dog because you like how they look. The personality is a much more important factor to keep in mind.

After selecting a breed, research what to expect when your new dog joins your household. Be honest with yourself about your lifestyle. For example, if your idea of relaxation is vegging in front of the television, don’t get a dog that loves exploring the outdoors.

#4

#5

Now that you’ve made the choice to become a dog owner, there are a few basic steps to follow to look after your new pup.

Your four-footed baby loves to explore and chew whatever crosses its path. Make sure that the exploration areas are safe. In the beginning, it might be a better idea to keep your dog in a specific area in your house where it cannot do too much damage or get hurt.

Make sure there are no poisonous houseplants around such as mistletoe, poinsettia, amaryllis, and holly. Lock up cleaning supplies and medicines. Block access to elevated porches, balconies, and decks. Also, keep the toilet lid closed, secure electrical cords and remove any plastic materials.

You should definitely not leave the puppy unsupervised if it has access to your whole house. Buy proper chewing toys and reward the puppy for chewing the right things. Start with training as soon as possible, it will definitely make your life with the new family member much easier.

#6

You are now responsible for the dog’s well-being. An important aspect of this includes regular checkups with a veterinarian. Between 6 and 16 weeks a puppy requires several rounds of vaccines to keep it from getting sick.

After that, you should visit the veterinarian at least once a year for checkups. You may also want to consider dog health insurance for anything unexpected. Another important aspect to consider is spay and neuter. If you don’t want a litter of puppies, it’s best to spay or neuter your dog to avoid any unwanted surprises.

#7

All in all, don’t forget to feed your furry-friend properly.

The first year is the most critical. Your puppy’s, teeth, muscles, bones, and even fur will be growing rapidly. A puppy requires more daily calories than a mature dog. Carefully read the product labels to ensure your puppy digests the correct balance of fat and protein.

Also, stick to the recommended serving size and feeding schedule. Don’t feed your puppy any table scraps, bones or big snacks between meals.