Top Tips for Juggling a New Pet

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A new pet can be a great therapeutic companion for emerging business owners, and these days, those paths are crossing a lot. The past year brought a surge in both aspects of life in the U.S. Whether you work from home or spend your days working hard at your brick-and-mortar location, having a new furry friend to melt away the day’s stresses is nothing short of perfection, and these tips from Pets Come First will help you make the most of every moment.

Pet-Proof Your Home

Any indoor pet, especially a young one, is bound to make mischief if given the chance. To keep your animal out of trouble (and save you valuable hours investing in your business), it’s important to pet-proof your home, including your home office, as soon as possible, ideally before you even bring the new critter home. Be sure to contain electrical cables, put houseplants out of reach, and lock up chemicals and medications.

Establish a Routine

One of the most important things for a new pet is to develop a consistent routine with him or her. This varies based on the animal; for example, a new puppy needs to be taken outside or to a pee pad frequently to go potty, taken on a walk or two each day for exercise, and given some rest time in a dog crate. This routine can be planned into your regular work schedule as well.

Work With Your Pet

If you’re working from home, you may not need to make many adjustments to accommodate your pet. Setting reminders on your phone or in your daily planner can help you stay on top of your pet’s schedule.

If you are bringing your pet with you to your brick and mortar, check on policies for pets in businesses of your type in the area. Certain city ordinances may prevent you from bringing your pet to work in places such as a restaurant. If regulations allow, though, you can enjoy all the benefits of having a pet at work. Research cited by Virginia Commonwealth University shows that bringing your furry companion along can lower your stress levels and enhance your communication skills.

Plan For Care

Sometimes, it’s not practical to bring your pet along with you to work, or you may not have time to juggle the demands of your business and your sometimes needy feline or canine. If that’s the case, you’ll appreciate the peace of mind that comes with having a pet-sitter or dog-walker care for your animal during the day. It may also be economical to put your pet into daytime boarding or daycare; Hill’s notes this option also has the advantage of giving pets the opportunity to socialize with other animals while you’re away.

Embrace Efficiencies

To maximize the amount of time you can spend with your new companion, make sure you embrace some simple tricks and tools that lighten your workload. Regardless of what your business is, technology offers a cornucopia of options, so think about your processes and what you need to really get your business off the ground, and start exploring what’s available.

Caring for a new pet while managing a new business or a current job can be challenging, but the investment is worthwhile. As you work to achieve balance, you can enjoy both your new business and your four-legged friend while you watch them grow.