Introducing young animals into your home can be fun and exciting if you understand the basic care needs of these furry friends. Being a good owner also means providing your new pet with appropriate discipline and training.

The following tips will help your new puppy or kitten feel right at home:

• Pet proof the home by putting anything that could be dangerous or expensive to replace out of reach
• Constantly supervise your puppy or kitten until it is old enough to be trusted alone in the home
• Plan on spending lots of time exercising and playing with your pet
• Be sure to invite a wide variety of friends to the home during the first few months to meet your new pet.  Early socializing will reduce the likelihood that your pet will be fearful or aggressive to people as an adult

Household Hazards

• Remove breakable items from tables, shelves, and counters your pet could reach
• A puppy in the chewing stage should never be left alone in a room with floor-level electrical cords
• Mini-blind cords can pose a suffocation hazard (cut the ends of the loops or tie up long cords)
• Keep your floor picked up. Small items (rubber bands, strings, etc.) that fall to the floor can cause serious harm to your pet’s digestive system if swallowed
• If you didn’t see your pet on the way out of the house, before you drive away, be sure they aren’t sleeping under your car wheel

Remove these unexpected poisons from your pet’s reach, or at least keep a watchful eye on pets if any of these items are within reach:

• Chocolate
• Aspirin
• Azaleas, oleander, mistletoe, sago palm, Easter lillies, and yew plants, poinsettias, caladiums, dumb cane (Dieffenbachia), English ivy, holly, hyacinths, hydrangeas, Jerusalem Cherries, lantana, and philodendron
• Cleaning solutions and detergents
• Automotive antifreeze (believe it or not, dogs and cats are actually attracted to this)

Don’t forget: Keep your veterinarian's name and phone number in a convenient place. If your veterinarian does not offer emergency services, ask for the name and phone number of the nearest animal emergency facility.

Collars and Microchips

An ID tag or microchip can help to be a lost pet's ticket home. If it’s a collar, the tag should include your address and day and evening phone numbers. If you microchip your pet, be sure to complete all database registrations so your pet’s information can be retrieved and you can be reunited.

Source: PetSmart