With more time spent working from home and away from actual coworkers, many people have considered bringing on board a new pet to keep them company. Some areas have experienced a surge in pet adoptions since countries worldwide enacted shelter-in-place guidelines. In fact, March and April 2020 saw an unprecedented number of adoptions, where many shelters simply ran out of adoptable animals, meaning four-legged coworkers in our home offices are at an all-time high.
Becoming a pet parent during this time at home means additional time bonding, hands-on training and getting to learn more about your new pet’s habits and quirks. This should be a very exciting time in your life, but it does come with many challenges to consider and new routines that you’ll have to adapt to.
If you’ve welcomed a new furry friend into your family or plan to soon, here are a few things we suggest having on hand:
- Stock up on supplies such as a new bed, collar, leashes, litter boxes, and food and water bowls.
- For dogs being crate trained, you’ll need a sturdy and secure crate to make your new pup feel comfortable. Carriers are also ideal for smaller dogs and cats when you need to take them outside of the home.
- Keep your veterinarian’s contact information handy in case. Not only will you need to take your pet for a wellness check and routine vaccinations, but you may not fully understand what’s going on with your dog or cat at all times. Vets will be an essential resource the first few months.
- Puppies and kittens are loaded with energy, so be sure to load up on a variety of toys to keep them occupied and help limit chewing on household items.
- Invest in some grooming essentials like a brush or comb, shampoo to keep your pet smelling fresh and nail files and clippers.
- The initial costs of adding a pet to your household can be high, so set aside some extra cash in your budget for any unforeseen expenses. We suggest factoring in $150 dollars per month in your budget.
- Getting used to a new environment can be hard on any animal — be prepared for accidents! Absorbent paper towels and pet spray like Resolve can help limit any stains from settling in your furniture, upholstery, carpet and rugs.
- Pet odors are bound to build up, especially if you keep your pets inside the majority of the time. FunkAway Laundry Detergent Booster is great for eliminating smells and stains on pet bedding and anything else that can go in the washing machine. Once you’re done cleaning up any pet accidents, use the FunkAway Aerospray to stop the stink on non-washable items.
Rescuing an animal can be a big change but incorporating these essentials into your life will help ease the transition. If you have a new pet in your home, let us know his or her name in the comments!
