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We humans don’t always stop to think of the complications and responsibilities involved with being a pet owner. Before you walk into that pet store or answer those ads for puppies and kittens, please read this!

10 Big Mistakes Of New Pet Owners (and how to avoid them)

1. Getting a pet on impulse before checking with the rental manager.

If you own your own home, great! Stop reading this and skip down to #2. When you rent your residence there’s usually rules as to what is or isn’t allowed to live with you while you live there. The best way to avoid an unexpected address change or having to part with your new friend is by checking with your rentals’ manager BEFORE you bring Cuddles home. Obtain a copy of their rules in regards to pets, pet types, weight and size restrictions, etc. Usually, any stringent rules in place are there to prevent lawsuits that could end up costing the owner his money and property. Also, don’t use the fact that your complex neighbor keeps a big dog in his residence as an excuse to go ahead and do the same. He may be disabled and have special circumstances that require him to keep a “service” dog, or he may be in the process of being evicted because he has the dog.

2. Picking your pet based on appearance alone.

Savannah cats look cool! They are; they’re also territorial and have sharp claws many times the size of your ordinary housecat. When picking out a pet, ask yourself several things. How big will this one get? Is your place roomy enough for this type of pet? Is this pet known for having a good temperament? How does this type of pet get along with other pets and people who may live with you? Does this pet require more than average attention personally and medically? You will thank yourself later for finding these things out first, trust me on this one.

3. Not having the pets’ health checked out before you buy.

If purchasing the pet through a pet store or private party, ask for a copy of its health and shot records. If you are adopting the pet for free, you will probably have to take the pet into the vet yourself and eat the cost of the checkup and whatever else it needs. It is better to know what you are up against with a pet before you make a final decision.

4. Not pet-proofing your home before the arrival.

Pet damage often happens silently and quickly. Both cats and dogs are equally guilty of getting into trouble around the house, no matter what their ages may be. Pet-proof your home by removing any expensive, and tempting, items from view. Also remove any food and cleaning products that could make your pet ill if ingested.

5. Not maintaining a regular feeding and potty-training schedule from the start.

If you have a kitten make sure she knows where her food, water and litter box are. Also, make sure to clean the litter box often. Your kitten will find another surprise potty place if her box is dirty. It is especially important to develop and maintain a schedule for your puppy in regards to eating and potty training. Don’t confuse him by feeding and pottying him from 6 – 7 a.m. for two days in a row, then suddenly switch to 10-11 a.m. the following day. It is ok to be off a few minutes here or there as things come up, but keep the schedule within the same time frame. If you don’t, your puppy will get confused and you will most likely step in the proof of his confusion soon enough.

6. Not signing your pet up for obedience classes.

If your new pet is a cat, good luck. First of all, no pet instructor worth his professional license is stupid enough to think he can hold classes to train a cat to be obedient to humans or anything else. As you will find out, cats are obedient only to themselves, and their mission statements change daily. You pretty much have to work around their behavior by removing either the temptation from the cat’s sight or the cat from the site of the temptation, especially if that temptation happens to be another pet or person. If your new pet is a dog sign him up for obedience classes immediately and practice at home with him constantly. A two pound puppy jumping on guests is sweet; a 45 pound monster doing the same can cost you.

7. Not paying enough attention to your pet.

Commit this to memory – Getting NEGATIVE attention from you is just fine with your pet. To avoid this, spend some quality time each day playing with your pet till they woof or meow “uncle”. Learn which games tire them out the fastest and play only those.

8. Letting your pet eat “people food” for a treat.

Some pets will refuse to eat their boring old kibble once they’ve gotten a taste for the finer things in life. So unless you want to be setting an extra plate at the dinner table and doubling recipes, DON’T let them taste what they don’t know they’re missing. Plus our diet is unhealthy for them.

9. Not getting your pet spayed or neutered so they won’t roam.

Your pet will be more apt to stay in one place if that troublesome urge to “socialize” is removed. Unless you’re planning on breeding your pet getting them fixed is the best thing. If you’re a male pet owner and have a problem with being involved in taking your male pets’ “manhood”, have the vet’s office box up what was cut off and take it home with you. We still have the “manhood” of our male pit-bull Fluffy. It’s stored in a gift wrapped box in our closet. He knows “they’re” still with him, they’ve just moved to another location.

10. Assuming your dog understands English.

This part does not apply to felines who naturally understand all languages. And yes, you are correct to assume that her yawning during one of your verbal deluges does indicate her boredom with you.

Fido’s ability to understand is another story. Just because your dog cocks his head to one side when you speak to him don’t assume he is gleaning pearls of wisdom from what you say. Most likely he’s trying to figure out how he can sneak another contraband cookie from the plate off the dinner table without you knowing. Bottom line is yes, your dog understands a few repetitive words you say to him, but it’s usually in connection with the event he knows will be happening every time he hears that certain word. Make sure you keep the proper word with the proper event so you can continue to communicate with him during your partnership. Also remember, like people, pets can suddenly develop “memory loss” when they don’t want to do something.

Good luck with your new pet!

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