Getting a new pet is stressful, right? Whether it’s your first pet or your fifteenth, there’s a lot to remember and certainly a lot you’re sure to find out once you welcome your new furry friend.
Is there anything you wish you’d known before getting a cat? Or do you wish someone had shared what you need to know before getting a dog?
A new OnePoll survey of 2,000 people in the UK, commissioned by Pet Health Club, has found the top ten things puppy and kitten owners wish they knew before they got a pet – do you relate?
First up are the dog owners. The top thing they wish they knew before taking a puppy home for the first time is that they’d need emergency poop bags in every pocket, closely followed by the selective hearing that dogs seem to have. Sure, they’ll hear you open a bag of treats from the other side of the house, but trying to get them to come back to you when they’re outside? All of a sudden, they don’t seem to hear.
A lot of dog parents didn’t realize that their dogs would need quite as much training, attention, and mental stimulation as they do, or that they shed so much fur. Finding out walks have to go ahead no matter the weather is another surprise for quite a few new dog owners.
As for cats, the main thing people wish they knew when bringing home a new kitten is that some cats shed a lot, with fur getting everywhere. Then, there’s the realization that our kitties will scratch everything, even if they have one of the best scratching posts, and that they’ll often ignore the expensive cat bed you buy in favor of the cardboard box it arrived in.
Cat parents also wish they knew that cats demand attention when you’re busy – ever tried working from home with a cat? – but then ignore you when you’re not, and that regular flea and worm treatments are vital, even for indoor cats.
However, more than half of respondents (58%) said that their mental health has improved since welcoming their new friend, despite a few little surprises.
Holly McKinley, senior vet for Pet Health Club, said: “Every pet comes with their own quirks – and while many of these become the things owners grow to love most, they can take a bit of getting used to at first.
“Whether you’re a seasoned dog or cat owner, or bringing home your very first pet, there’s always something new to learn. Some behaviors might be funny or unexpected, while others are linked to their health.
"It’s easy to underestimate just how much care pets need behind the scenes. In reality, every day is a learning curve, and it’s completely normal for owners to feel a bit out of their depth at the start.”
Read next: Weird cat behaviors explained and weird things dogs do (that are completely normal)
