How to Be an Awesome Pet Owner (When You’ve Never Done It Before)

Bringing a pet home can add all kinds of joy to your life. But it also means committing to more responsibilities, which can be intimidating if you’ve never owned a pet before.

Fortunately, there are many simple steps you can take to confidently care for your four-legged companion and make the most of your time together. Check out these tips for first-time pet owners!

Wildlife X Team specializes in safely and humane removing wildlife from your home. Call (817) 431-3007 to learn more about our services!

Adjust Your Budget  

Too many pet owners neglect to plan for the costs of keeping their furry companions safe and healthy. And along with monthly and annual expenses, you must consider irregular expenses like flea and tick prevention, quality food, toys, and so forth. Also, you’ll probably need to invest in veterinary care, pet-proofing, and other measures before bringing Fido home.

Research all the potential costs so you can adjust your budget accordingly. That way, you can ensure your pet has everything they need without adding more stress to your life.

Get Your Home Ready

Getting your home ready for your new pet is kind of like baby-proofing. It may not be quite as intense, but you still need to ensure household chemicals, poisonous plants, electronic wires, and other hazards are out of reach. And, of course, now’s the time to purchase bowls, a collar, a leash, and any other gear your four-legged friend will need.

Organize Their Medical Records

You’ll have your fair share of medical records to keep track of for your pet. Many pet owners find it easiest to organize vaccination records, medical history, vet visits, and other information in a single PDF file. If you need to insert pages into a PDF, you can use this method to add a page to simplify the process.

Be Consistent  

Your pet will need to get used to their new life in the first few weeks and months of living with you. If you’re bringing home a puppy, they’ll need to adjust to your home and life itself. If you’re adopting a full-grown pet, they’ll need to adjust to the new living environment and routine.

It’s hard to overstate the importance of routine for pets, especially dogs. Maintain a steady training regiment, using positive reinforcement and adding new tasks gradually. Be sure to feed, potty, and play with your pet around the same times each day. And provide them with consistency they can rely on.

Find a Great Vet

One of the first things to do after deciding to get a pet is to find a knowledgeable and reliable veterinarian in your area. Ideally, you’ll find a vet both you and your pet can trust. They can ensure Fido is fit and healthy and provide recommendations for prevention treatments, diet, vaccinations, and other critical factors.

Invest in Good Food

It’s crucial to give your pet the nutrition they need. But you have to plan for it because there are countless foods on the market and high-quality food isn’t cheap.

Your pet’s size, activity level, and other factors will determine the best type and brand of food for them. Conduct research and consult your vet for recommendations. Also, keep an eye out for allergic reactions or other symptoms that your pet may be eating the wrong food. 

Enjoy Your Time Together  

Lastly, don’t forget to enjoy life with your pet. Show them lots of love each day and plan fun things to do together. Go for walks, hikes, and play times at the dog park. Go camping and remain willing to be spontaneous. Part of the joy of pet ownership is developing a bond, but you must nurture that bond.

Getting a pet for the first time can be as daunting as it is exciting. Taking steps like those above will help you prepare for a smooth transition into the next chapter of your life. And remember to always seek other strategies for providing your pet with the best life possible.

Wildlife & Pest Infestation

If you think that you have a wildlife or pest infestation, please give Wildlife x Team International a call at 855-WILDLIFE or visit www.wildlifexteam.com for more information. 

Thanks! 
-Wildlife x Team International

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  • Raccoons

    If you have raccoons in your attic, garage, or other areas of your home, call Wildlife X Team® at (817) 431-3007 today! Wildlife X Team are experts in raccoon removal and exclusion services.

  • Squirrels

    Squirrel problems are rampant nationally. Squirrels can cause extensive damage in and around homes, including soiling floors and walls. Squirrels don't stand a chance against Wildlife X Team®'s trained professional staff.

  • Rodents

    Rodent problems are common for homeowners, but Wildlife X Team® can help you prevent rodents from getting in your walls or your attic. Keep rodents out of your home by calling today!

  • Bats

    Removing and relocating bats is best left to professionals, as bats will bite and scratch if threatened. If you see signs of bats on your property or want to know how to get rid of bats from your attic and chimney, please call Wildlife X Team® at (817) 431-3007.

  • Armadillo

    Although armadillos have no reason to get into houses, there is a lot of damage armadillos can cause. Their diet consists mostly of grubs and insects, but when they burrow, it can affect the very structure of buildings. Call Wildlife X Team® today!

  • Snakes

    Whether you are facing a snake infestation on your property or just notice a single snake, call (817) 431-3007 at Wildlife X Team® today. Most snakes are harmless, some are venomous, and we can remove all kinds of snakes safely and quickly.

  • Birds

    Birds can add a lot of enjoyment to the outdoor experience, but sometimes they cause trouble. If you're having an issue with problem birds like pigeons, starlings, or sparrows, give Wildlife X Team® a call at (817) 431-3007.

  • Opossum

    At Wildlife X Team®, we offer worry-free opossum removal and trapping. We can also repair any opossum damage.

  • Skunks

    Infamous for their defense mechanism, skunks are smelly creatures. This unique critter releases a scent to ward off predators and stay safe, and it smells offensive and can be dangerous.

  • Coyotes

    Coyotes, a relative of the canine, are known for terrorizing livestock, and even household pets. Coyotes are often active at night, and homeowners often report the howling cries of these medium-sized creatures.

  • Badgers

    Badgers are notorious for having a bite that rivals their bark — despite their less-than-formidable size! Badgers have been known to fight animals as large as a bear!

  • Beavers

    Beaver damage is primarily to landscapes like riverbeds and lakesides. If you discover beaver damage in your property, call Wildlife X Team® at (817) 431-3007 to help relocate beavers and repair any damages caused by these flat-tailed critters.

  • Bobcats

    Nocturnal creatures, bobcats will take down any prey necessary, especially livestock. Bobcats are territorial and will often return to the property they have claimed as their own, especially if there is a steady food source.

  • Chipmunks

    Chipmunks can be annoying and clever creatures, but they're no match for Wildlife X Team®. We offer chipmunk removal, and chipmunk damage repair services, plus we know how to keep chipmunks from coming back!

  • Foxes

    Fox landscape damage and feeding behaviors can affect homeowners' safety, so it's important to not approach a fox if you see one in the wild or on your property. Wildlife X Team® offers fox removal, fox trapping, and fox prevention. Call today!

  • Lizards

    Lizards, similar in appearance to snakes, can be frightening if you spot one in the wild or in your home, and although they don't typically attack residents, it's still good to not approach lizards.

  • Moles

    Mole damage is most commonly found on landscapes, and sometimes humans don't even come into contact with them, but they definitely experience mole damage.

  • Scorpions

    If you have discovered scorpion(s) in your garden or on your property, call us today for scorpion removal services.

  • Voles

    Voles are not often spotted by humans, but vole damage is visible. For vole trapping, vole removal, and vole damage repair services, call Wildlife X Team® today!

  • Insects

    Infestations of bugs are common, so if you are facing an insect infestation, don't panic—we can help kill insects and get rid of them inside and outside your home.

  • Wild Hogs

    Wild hog trapping and wild hog prevention are the most effective means of wild hog removal. Due to the aggressive nature of wild hogs, we do not recommend DIY wild hog trapping.

  • Termites

    Termite infestations are common inside homes and on properties, so if you are dealing with insects, call Wildlife X Team® at (817) 431-3007 today to get rid of your termite problem fast and effectively!

  • Bees & Wasps

    Bee and wasp infestations are common, so if you are facing a stinging insect infestation, don't panic — we can help get rid of them inside and outside your home.
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