Caring for Four-Legged Friends: Tips for Beginners

Planning to get a pet? You probably have many questions about how to prepare for such an important step and make your pet's life comfortable and fulfilling. We hope that from this article, prepared by the Animal Clinic team, you will learn a lot of useful information.

Learn the characteristics of the breed and species in general

Are you planning to buy a dog or cat of a particular breed? Then we recommend studying why the breed was created. Find out which breeds were their ancestors. This information will help you understand the character, temperament, and physical traits you will be dealing with. Also, familiarize yourself with information such as:

Specifics of coat care.
Breed-specific diseases to take preventive measures.
Dietary nuances.

Regardless of the dog or cat breed you plan to get, it is important to be informed about the species in general. Learn species-typical behavior and how to understand your pet's body language to build a trusting communication with them successfully.

Manage the environment

Beng a good pet owner means organizing your living space in a way that prevents unwanted pet behavior while ensuring comfort and safety. We recommend taking the following steps before your pet arrives in your home:

Organize closed storage for shoes so that your favorite shoes don't get damaged.
Attach special safety locks to places where household chemicals, medicines, and trash bins are stored.
Make the wiring hidden and the sockets covered.
Check if any of your houseplants are toxic, and if so, give them to other plant lovers.
Cover slippery floors with mats to prevent your pet from sliding.
Plan how your pet will get from the couch to the floor. For example, puppies and small dog breeds may need a special step stool, as the distance from the couch or bed to the floor can damage their joints.
Determine where your pet will sleep, eat, and drink. You’ll need to buy a bed that matches the size of an adult representative of the chosen breed and convenient bowls.

You may need to adjust this well-thought-out plan over time, for instance, by moving the bed to a different place. However, these steps will ensure that you have done your best before your pet arrives home.

Provide a balanced diet

You can either feed your pet commercial food or prepare meals yourself. The most important thing is that the caloric content matches the pet's age, activity level, and health condition. The daily diet should have a balance of vitamins, minerals, fats, proteins, and carbohydrates.

Never offer your pet leftovers from your table. Bones, spicy and fatty foods are especially dangerous. Do not feed your pet only meat, as this can cause digestive issues and various health problems. If you are not 100% sure about the food choice, consult a veterinarian.

Plan a daily routine

Dogs feel comfortable living by a schedule: daily activities should take place at approximately the same time each day, even on weekends and holidays. When planning walks, consider the age and physiological characteristics of your pet. For example, puppies need to go to the toilet more often, and a young and active dog needs training and playtime outside. When planning your routine with your dog, also consider your own plans and needs.

Cats also love an organized life. So, try to ensure that your pet knows when it’s time to eat, play, and rest peacefully.

Think about socialization

This is a very important aspect of the early period of a dog's life at home, especially if you get a puppy under 5 months old. During this period, the pet perceives everything positively, and negative information is not retained in their memory. After this age, introducing new things becomes more difficult. We recommend creating a socialization plan and introducing your puppy to three new objects per day.

For instance, before going outside where there are many people, invite friends or relatives over so that the pet gets used to such noise. Plan the first car ride, and after that, you can start walking your dog along the road.

Kittens also need socialization: they should get used to eating in your presence, enjoying attention from people, and being held. Special training using treats will help with this.

A key stage of socialization is the first visit to the vet. The earlier it takes place, the calmer your pet will be during future exams and procedures. Introducing your pet to new things should be gradual, in a calm and controlled way.

Vet visits

Visiting the vet is a mandatory rule for owners who have taken pets from the street or a shelter. Pets bought from a breeder are often already familiar with veterinary procedures, such as parasite treatments, exams, and vaccinations.

It’s important to visit the vet at least once a year, planning it in advance according to the individual vaccination schedule and administering a deworming treatment 10 days before vaccination.

Vet visits may also be unscheduled if the pet is injured, looks unwell, or shows changes in behavior. When visiting the clinic, dogs should be on a leash and muzzled, and cats should be in a carrier.

Individual rules for dog owners

When walking with your four-legged friend, the owner should ensure the safety of people and animals nearby and prevent damage to other people's property. Here are some rules for this:

Before going outside, put a leash on your dog, and if the breed is listed in the government-approved list of dangerous breeds, a muzzle as well.
Make sure the dog is wearing a collar with an identification tag, especially if the dog is not microchipped.
Never leave the dog unattended.
Do not walk the dog under the influence of alcohol.

Children under 14 can only walk a pet under adult supervision. The owner should take bags for collecting the dog's waste and clean up after them. Caregivers must treat their pets responsibly and humanely. Cruelty to animals is punishable under Article 299 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

Training and raising your pet

Raising your pet, in addition to socialization, includes activities that help establish the desired behavior. For example, you need to train your kitten to use the litter box and scratching post and to understand that the owner’s hands and feet are not toys. Positive behavior should be reinforced with praise and treats.

Dogs should also be trained to meet their needs by displaying behavior that the owner desires: waiting calmly for food, chewing on toys instead of household items, and following useful commands. Training dogs happens gradually. First, they learn the first-order conditioned reflex, then the second order, and finally the higher orders. For example, first with a voice command "sit," then with a gesture, and later with a finger snap. Praise and rewards are important tools for positive reinforcement.

It’s best to start raising your pet from the moment they arrive, as delays may result in bad habits that will be difficult to break. Important: avoid punishment during training to maintain the pet's interest in learning and preserve your trusting relationship.