How to Prepare to Bring Home a New Dog or Cat, According to a Veterinarian

First, consider your home. Whether you're adopting a dog or a cat, you'll want to make sure you have plenty of space for them to move about freely. Dog parents will also want to consider any specific exercise needs that come with their dog's breed: large dogs often require more space, like a backyard, and frequent walks. "Ask thorough questions with the staff at the shelter, because they ultimately know the personality of the dogs," Dr. Thomson says.

Look out for anything that isn't pet-friendly in your space. Make sure you don't have any plants in the home that could be toxic to dogs or cats. Consider moving any particularly fragile items that a rowdy pet could break and injure themselves with, and identify any valuable pieces that you might want to move to a higher shelf or into a different room that's not as accessible. Watch out for wagging tails that can bonk items off coffee tables!

Dr. Thomson also recommends setting aside a special space that's just for your pet. "It's really important to have an area of the home where the animal feels protected," she explains. "Say, if there's a large crate with a towel or a blanket over it that has their favorite toys, their snacks, their squeaky toys, whatever it is, and that is considered off limits for the owners. That's their safe place."

You'll also want to stock up on the basics: both cats and dogs will need comfy beds, interactive toys, and food and water bowls. Dr. Thomson recommends that cat owners stick to glass bowls, as metal and plastic can irritate cats' skin. Of course, cats also require litter boxes and litter, while dog owners will want to buy a collar, leashes or harnesses, and poop bags for walks. Ask the shelter or breeder what brand of food they've been eating: "Any sudden change of food can lead to intestinal upset like vomiting or diarrhea," Dr. Thomson says.

Dr. Thomson recommends contacting a local veterinarian even before bringing home your new family member so you can take them in for a checkup right away. "Within the first week of adoption, have a physical exam and see exactly what's going on with the pet inside and out," she says. "Starting an early relationship with a local veterinarian is a really good idea." Your local veterinarian can also give you recommendations for your pet's specific needs, from grooming to diet to exercise.

When you adopt your pet, make sure you receive any existing medical records so you can share them with your vet. If you're adopting from a breeder, ask if they can share a full history of your pet's family members as well so that you can keep an eye out for any hereditary medical conditions. Dr. Thomson also recommends keeping a hard copy of your pet's medical records on hand in case of emergency.

Of course, vet visits aren't free — you'll need to budget for the cost of regular checkup appointments, as well as monthly flea-, tick-, and heartworm-prevention medications, at a minimum. That's one reason Dr. Thomson recommends pet health insurance. "For the first year of adopting or having this new family member, it's really important to have pet insurance, because ultimately, you don't know what type of mischief they will be getting into," she says. Even something relatively minor, such as an ear infection, can result in a major upfront cost.

Most vets require you to pay in full at the time of the visit — if you do have pet insurance, your insurance provider will reimburse you later. You can also set up a separate savings account for pet-related expenses, if that helps you budget, Dr. Thomson says.

If you're bringing home a puppy or kitten, you'll have a few more tasks on your to-do list than someone adopting an adult animal. First and foremost, Dr. Thomson recommends talking to your veterinarian right away about the vaccines your new fur baby needs. "When it comes to vaccines, it's really important to make sure that you have a good conversation with your local vet, because certain vaccines are recommended in certain areas of the country," she explains, noting that the same goes for flea, tick and heartworm prevention.

Choosing puppy or kitten food, rather than general dog or cat food, is also crucial, Dr. Thomson says. "A baby does not have the same nutritional needs as an adult," she explains. "Stick to puppy food or kitten food for the first year, and then slowly transition to a new diet that's appropriate for the age."

Puppy owners will also want to enroll in training classes to make sure their pup learns to play well with others. "Typically, we like to have puppies in socialization and training classes fairly early, because that's when they start to learn what's acceptable and what's not acceptable," Dr. Thomson explains. Just make sure any trainer you take your puppy to asks for vaccination records to ensure it's safe for every dog.

The puppy or kitten stage is also the perfect time to get your pet used to teeth brushing. Although kitten and puppy teeth will eventually fall out, Dr. Thomson says that brushing your pet's teeth early in life can help them get used to the process, making it easier to keep their adult teeth clean once they come in. Start by letting your puppy or kitten taste a small amount of dog or cat toothpaste on the tip of your finger — once they're used to that, you can graduate to putting your toothpaste-coated finger in between the side of their teeth and their gums and, eventually, using a baby toothbrush.

Whether you're adopting a tiny kitten or a senior rescue pup, getting a pet shouldn't just be something you do on a whim. You've got another living, breathing thing to take care of now! Dogs and cats can live anywhere from 10 to 20 years, so planning for the long term is key.

It's also important to be patient with your new family member, Dr. Thomson says: "Personality tends to come out after about one to two months. Don't expect a personality to be present on the first day, because it's a whole new experience for them." After all, you're in it for the long haul.

Of course, the love and companionship you'll get from a pet can be well worth the extra responsibility. As long as you go into it with a clear understanding of your role as a pet owner, you'll be well equipped for a life full of happiness.