First-Time Pet Owner Guide: How to Prepare Before Bringing a Pet Home

Bringing home a first pet involves more than picking up food and a bed on the way. Animal welfare groups such as the ASPCA in the United States and the RSPCA in the United Kingdom publish preparation checklists that cover the home itself, required supplies, veterinary care, and the animal's adjustment period. The steps below draw on that guidance.

Before the pet arrives: pet-proof the home

The ASPCA recommends inspecting a home from a pet's-eye view, including crawling around at floor level, to spot hazards such as small swallowable objects (game pieces, hair ties, rubber bands, coins, plastic bags), toxic houseplants, loose electrical or curtain cords, and unsecured cabinets that may hold medication or cleaning products.

Step-by-step preparation

1. Pet-proof the home: secure or trim cords, lock away medications and cleaning supplies, remove toxic plants, and pick up small objects a puppy or kitten could swallow, per ASPCA guidance.
2. Buy the core supplies before pickup day. The ASPCA lists a litter box, scratching post, and food/water bowls for kittens, and a leash, collar with ID tag, food/water bowls, and often a crate and baby gates for puppies.
3. Set up a dedicated, quiet space where the new pet can decompress away from household noise and other animals, as recommended by the ASPCA.
4. Register with a veterinarian before or immediately after the pet arrives. The ASPCA advises establishing a relationship with a nearby vet shortly after adoption for checkups, vaccinations, and parasite prevention.
5. Arrange microchipping if it is not already done. The RSPCA states that dogs in England must be identifiable by both a collar tag and a microchip under current law.
6. Book the first veterinary visit soon after the pet comes home. The ASPCA advises setting up a vet relationship shortly after adoption to cover checkups, vaccinations, and parasite prevention.
7. Discuss neutering and parasite control with the vet. The RSPCA strongly recommends neutering dogs unless responsible breeding is planned, alongside routine flea and worm treatment.
8. Consider pet insurance before any health issue arises. The ASPCA recommends obtaining insurance early as a cost-management tool, and the RSPCA notes that many veterinary practices offer wellness packages that can work alongside insurance.
9. Plan for the adjustment period rather than expecting an immediate bond. The ASPCA's '3-3-3' guideline describes three days of nervousness and overwhelm, three weeks of decompression and settling in, and three months before a pet is fully comfortable and showing its full personality.

Supplies: cats vs. dogs

The first days at home

During the initial three days described in the ASPCA's 3-3-3 guideline, a newly arrived pet may seem anxious or withdrawn. The organisation advises owners to establish a routine, stay calm and patient, give the animal space to observe its surroundings, and avoid forcing interactions with people or other household pets. Over the following three weeks, as the animal decompresses, the ASPCA suggests starting basic training and reinforcing good behaviour positively while keeping routines and boundaries consistent.

Ongoing health care

Beyond the initial vaccine series, the RSPCA recommends annual vet visits for dogs to review health, vaccinations, and parasite treatments, alongside daily observation at home for signs of injury, illness, or behavioural change. Routine grooming and dental care are also part of RSPCA's standard advice, and the organisation notes that many veterinary practices offer wellness packages that can work alongside pet insurance to help manage ongoing costs.