WHETHER YOU’RE INVITING a new puppy or kitten into your home or simply considering the options of adopting a furry best friend -  it’s important to prepare the landscape. Having a pet-friendly home is a crucial component to the animal’s (and your) happiness and there’s a few steps you can take to ensure that your home is kitted out before your new companion arrives.

Register with a local vet

Getting to know your local vet and registering your animal with them will be a welcome relief if your pet ever falls ill. Making sure you have all the correct details such as clinic hours, out-of-hours services, and if they offer all the vaccinations that are needed for your new pet, including chips etc, are all recommended steps to take. Another good tip is to check in with your neighbours who own pets if they have any vet recommendations, once you’ve decided on the one you want to try out, give them a call to arrange a check-up.

Go shopping

The basics are a great place to start your ‘shopping for a pet’ journey, and will help in not getting overwhelmed by an impending pet arrival. Two bowls, one for food one for water, and a bed (or a crate if you’re considering crate training) is a good place to start.

A collar and a tag are important for your pet, especially when they’re brand new. Toys to entertain are also important to keep your pet from gnawing on the furniture! Grooming products, depending on the breed/type of pet you’re planning on welcoming are another essential to consider purchasing ahead of the new arrival. 

Lastly, some poop bags and puppy pads are a must for those accidents that will certainly happen. 

Shutterstock / Anastasiya Tsiasemnikava Shutterstock / Anastasiya Tsiasemnikava / Anastasiya Tsiasemnikava

The right food for your pet 

Choosing the right food for your pet is crucial and an important part of them settling into your home. You need to think about a few variables when it comes to their food, this includes their age, breed, any medical history if you’re adopting an older animal, their size and activity levels. All this will feed in (excuse the pun) to the perfect dietary requirements and will help inform what food to buy for your pet. Remember that they will also be familiar with food they’ve been receiving, it’s important to wean appropriately so that their tummies can adjust. 

It’s also important to check that there’s nothing toxic in your home that your pet could get their teeth on. From cleaning products; anything ammonia-based such as glass cleaners or floor cleaners are harmful to animals if swallowed, to plants; Tulip, Lily of the Valley, Oleander to name a few, these could all be harmful to your beloved pet – better safe than sorry!

Dedicated space

Eating, sleeping and playing! These are the three areas that you need to think about when it comes to dedicated spaces for your pet in the home. Eating and sleeping should obviously be kept separate and the sleep zone should be a restful area that your pet becomes familiar with and feels safe and cosy spending time there. Depending on the size/style of home you have, a dedicated outdoor play area for your pet is the ideal scenario, but if you live in an apartment for example and that’s not possible, always dedicate some time so that they get the appropriate outdoor exercise they need. Cordoning off areas is a good idea if you have a new puppy joining your family so they don’t get into anything dangerous (or up to anything mischievous) when you have your back turned. 

Shutterstock / Pixel-Shot Shutterstock / Pixel-Shot / Pixel-Shot

It’s likely that things will be a little chaotic in the beginning and it’s a good idea to come to terms with the fact that there will be accidents, sleepless nights and adjustment periods ahead for your pet and your family! By preparing your home things will run a lot more smoothly and set you up for success as you embark on this exciting new adventure. 

Make sure your furry best friend is protected with 12% off pet insurance online at Allianz.ie/pet-insurance.  

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