So You’re Getting a Pet? Here’s What No One Told You But Should Have

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Article by: Susan Peterson

So You’re Getting a Pet? Here’s What No One Told You But Should Have

It starts with a scroll. Maybe it’s a scruffy dog with a lopsided grin or a kitten with eyes too big for its face. You smile, maybe sigh a little, and then—like that—you're halfway down the rabbit hole of becoming a first-time pet owner. But before you fall in love with a furry face and swipe your credit card on a bed they’ll never use, let’s slow down and talk. Because bringing a pet home is more than just cute Instagram stories and walks in the park—it’s a whole life shift. And if you’re gonna do it, you might as well do it right.

Think Beyond the Breed Stereotypes

Sure, you’ve heard that Labradors are sweethearts and that cats are aloof. But here’s the thing: animals, just like people, are their own weird, wonderful selves. You might end up with a golden retriever who hates fetch or a rescue cat that turns into your shadow. Instead of choosing a pet solely based on what the internet says, spend time at shelters, ask about individual temperaments, and be honest with yourself about what fits your lifestyle. You’re not adopting a breed—you’re welcoming a personality into your daily chaos.

Don’t Underestimate the Emotional Whiplash

The first week feels like a montage from a feel-good movie—new toys, cozy naps, that intoxicating new-puppy smell. And then the shoe drops. Accidents happen (literally), they cry all night, and suddenly you're Googling “why is my dog biting my hand like it’s a chew toy.” Expect a rollercoaster. Some days you’ll feel like the best version of yourself, and others you’ll wonder what you were thinking. It’s normal. Just breathe and stay patient, because this bond doesn’t form overnight—it’s built in the messy, loud, confusing middle.

Keep Your Home Safe With a Tap

When you bring a pet into your space, every loose wire, splintered floorboard, or wobbly gate suddenly becomes a potential hazard. Using a home maintenance and repair app takes a lot of the stress out of keeping your place secure—it lets you flag issues fast and fix them even faster. The right app allows homeowners to quickly schedule service appointments, track the status of their repairs, and access important information, all in one place. You’ll also be able to access service professionals, who can provide quotes for repairs or maintenance work—so if your pup keeps chewing the same stair tread, check it out before it becomes a bigger problem.

Your Routine Is Now a Shared Schedule

You can’t just crash at a friend’s place or skip town for the weekend without thinking twice. Owning a pet means someone’s gotta feed them, walk them, clean up after them, and keep them emotionally regulated—and surprise, that someone is you. It’s not a restriction, it’s a shift. You’ll get used to rearranging your life around your new roommate, but it takes time. Eventually, those 7 a.m. walks might even become something you look forward to. (No promises.)

Prepare to Be Humbled by the Vet Bills

There’s nothing like the smack of reality when you realize the emergency vet visit costs more than your monthly rent. Even routine stuff—vaccines, dental cleanings, checkups—adds up fast. Don’t skimp on health care, though. Preventive medicine isn’t just about dodging future costs; it’s about giving your pet the best shot at a good, long life. Look into pet insurance early, stash an emergency fund, and know that sometimes “just a little cough” isn’t just a little cough.

Your Home Will Never Look the Same Again

Say goodbye to that minimalist aesthetic. Between the scratching posts, chew toys, water bowls, crates, and rogue tufts of fur, your place will morph into a living, breathing habitat for chaos. But there’s something cozy about that lived-in pet vibe. You’ll start thinking less about how clean your couch is and more about how cute your dog looks curled up on it. Just maybe invest in a good vacuum and say a prayer for your favorite rug.

Socialization Isn’t Optional—It’s Everything

You can teach sit, stay, and roll over until you’re blue in the face, but if your pet freaks out every time they meet a new human or animal, none of it matters. Socialization starts the moment they walk through your door. Expose them to sounds, smells, strangers, and different environments gradually. Think of it like raising a kid in a city—they need to see the world to understand how to live in it. And yes, you’ll mess it up sometimes. But trust that you’ll both learn from it.

You’re going to make mistakes. You’ll forget to trim their nails, you’ll overfeed them, you’ll buy the wrong kind of litter and wonder why your cat is staging a protest. But here’s the kicker: you’re trying. You’re showing up. You’re learning what it means to care for another creature in a world that often forgets how to slow down and just be present. And that? That’s more than enough to start with. The rest you’ll figure out—one treat, one accident, one heart-melting moment at a time.

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