Are you thinking about getting a new pet? Will this be the first pet that you've owned by yourself? Owning a pet can be very rewarding, but there are also challenging aspects to pet ownership. There is more to owning a cat or a dog than simply making sure that their food and water dishes are kept full. Before you actually bring your new furry friend home, there are things that you should do first. Some of these things include:

Find a good vet: There is more to choosing a veterinarian than simply finding one with qualifications that meet your expectations. A veterinarian that is right for you will also have hours that will work with you. You should also find out whether your potential veterinarian is willing and able to take emergency cases, such as if your pet were to get hit by a car, or if they will expect you to take them somewhere else. There are many good vets who will send you elsewhere, but there are also a number of them that are open or will at least take animal patients at all hours.

Move things out of reach: Dogs and cats both love to explore and to chew on things. This sometimes includes things that they should not, especially if they are puppies or kittens. Electrical cords can be especially dangerous when plugged in, so you'll have to keep as many of them out of reach as possible until you're sure that they aren't going to get chewed on. In order to avoid an emergency trip to your veterinarian, you should also move or get rid of plants that are poisonous to your dog or that are toxic to your cat. If you can't find information on whether or not a particular plant is safe, it may be a good idea to get rid of it just in case.

Have toys ready: Some people get a cat or a dog and figure that they will get toys later, as they learn what their new companion enjoys. This isn't completely unreasonable, but having no toys at all could be a recipe for disaster. Without anything to entertain them, your cat or dog could start to get into or to chew on all sorts of things. While your couch isn't particularly dangerous, you could find yourself needing to rush to the vet after your dog chews it up and eats part of it. Cats also crave stimulation and will shred things if they don't have anything else better to do. You don't have to buy expensive and elaborate toys immediately. Just two or three inexpensive toys, for now, will go a long way towards stopping your new pet from engaging in unwanted behavior.

Contact a veterinarian in your area for more information.