After
hours spent researching, filling out paperwork, and interviewing, it’s almost
time to bring home your new dog – how exciting! The hard part may be over, but
there are still a few things you’ll want to do to get ready for your new
addition. We’ve put together a guide on preparing for dog adoption, to help you
make sure you’ve got everything in order before your pup arrives.
Choose a high-quality food
One of the most important things you can do when preparing for dog adoption is to choose high-quality food. Your dog’s food has a big impact on their overall health, so you want to narrow your search to brands that offer healthy and balanced recipes made with fresh, local ingredients. If you choose Freshpet, your pet will benefit from eating recipes that are gently steamed at low temperatures to protect the integrity of the ingredients before being vacuum-sealed to lock in the natural goodness and stored in the fridge where fresh food belongs. But don’t take our word for it, see what other Freshpet parents have to say!
Speak to the foster parent or shelter
staff
If you can, set up a quick call with your pup’s foster parent, staff from the shelter, or anyone else that spent time with them while looking for their forever home. During this call, you can ask them questions that will help you better prepare for your pup’s arrival, such as:
- Do they have any favorite toys or games?
- Do they have any general likes or dislikes?
- Do they have any allergies or food sensitivities?
- Are there any commands that they’re comfortable with or that
need some work? - Do they have experience being around children?
- How are they with other animals?
The more information you can gather about your new pup, the better you can tailor your home, the supplies you buy, and the introductions you do with other two- and four-legged family members when they arrive. If you already have a resident dog, be sure to check out our tips for introducing a second pup to your pack.
Find a veterinarian and book an
appointment
Even
if your dog had a pre-adoption vet appointment through their rescue or shelter,
it’s a good idea to have one booked with your own veterinarian. This will give
your vet a chance to record your pup’s baseline health so that it’s easier for
them to track if there are any changes over time. Some things that your vet
will likely want to record include your pet’s:
- Weight
- Blood pressure
- Vital signs
- Bloodwork values
- Oral health
Choosing a veterinarian beforehand also gives you time to consider more practical details such as pricing, location and hours of practice, approach to treating pets, and the overall environment of the clinic. Your vet will be with you throughout all stages of your pet’s life so you want to make sure you choose one with which you can build a strong relationship.
Schedule a session with a groomer
While waiting for their forever home, not all pets have the luxury of regular appointments at the groomer. Unfortunately, without regular appointments, some pets’ coats quickly become messy and overgrown. If your adopted dog has a coat that requires professional grooming, consider inquiring about an appointment before their adoption date. Some groomers have waiting lists that are weeks long, so the sooner you book the less time you’ll pup will have to live in an uncomfortable coat! Alternatively, you can take a look at our tips for grooming your pet at home.
Research pet insurance
A growing number of pet owners are opting to get insurance for their pets and we can understand why. With pet insurance, you can have peace of mind knowing that in the event of a medical emergency you can make a decision based on what is best for your pet, not the cost. There are numerous insurers and a wide variety of policies, ranging from coverage for routine care to just bigger emergencies, so it’s easy to find one that is right for you and your pet.
We
hope that this guide gives you some insight into how to prepare for adopting a
dog. If you have any questions that weren’t covered, speak to your
veterinarian. They’ll be happy to answer any questions you have about bringing
home a new addition prior to your first appointment.
