What I Wish I Knew Before Getting My First Dog as an Adult (A Real Talk Starter Guide)

🛒 Before We Begin… You’re Gonna Want These

If you’re anything like me, you’re probably adding stuff to your Amazon cart faster than your pet can shred a squeaky toy. So, before we dive into the messy-beautiful world of pet parenting, here are a few things I genuinely wish I had on day one:

• Nature’s Miracle Stain & Odor Remover – Life-saving when your new pet mistakes your rug for the bathroom.
• Frisco Calming Donut Bed – The coziest thing I’ve ever seen. My dog’s basically glued to it.
• Outward Hound Puzzle Toy – Great for wearing them out mentally when it’s raining or you’re tired.
• Slow Feeder Dog Bowl – Prevents scarfing like it’s a pie-eating contest. Highly recommend.
• ChomChom Pet Hair Remover – I swear by this. If you have a shedding dog or cat, this thing is magic.

Disclosure: I may earn a small commission from these links at no extra cost to you. I only share products I’ve personally used and would recommend to my best friend.

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So… You’re Getting a Pet?

Buckle up, friend. You’re about to go from normal human to full-blown “fur baby” obsessed—and I say that with love.

Now, I should mention—this wasn’t my first dog. But it was my first dog as a full-blown, rent-paying, bills-are-my-problem adult. Totally different ballgame. Growing up, our family dog was just… there. Fed, walked, loved. But my parents handled the vet visits, the emergency clean-ups, the food refills.

Cut to me as an adult standing in the dog food aisle wondering why there are 37 brands of kibble, and none of them say “the one your dog will actually eat.”

Adult pet parenting is a whole new world. It’s beautiful and hilarious and deeply rewarding—but it also takes planning, patience, and more paper towels than you think.

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The Routine Will Own You (and That’s Okay)

When I first brought Waffles (yes, that’s his real name) home, my routine immediately shifted. Suddenly, I was planning my day around potty breaks, meal times, and walks. Morning coffee? Only after the 7 a.m. park lap. Late-night scrolling? Replaced with a leash in one hand and poop bag in the other.

And you know what? It kind of saved me. The structure made me more present. It forced me to get outside, to move, to notice things. Routines can be annoying, but with pets, they’re also grounding.

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Clean Floors? I Don’t Know Her

Let’s just say my Swiffer and I are now on a first-name basis.

Between the fur, the drool, the random shredded toy fluff—keeping the house spotless isn’t really an option. But I learned how to work smarter, not harder. I picked up a robot vacuum, started keeping a pet towel mat by the door, and embraced the fact that I now live in a pet-friendly zone. It’s not a showroom—it’s a shared space. And I’m okay with that.

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It’s Not Cheap—But It’s Worth It

Here’s something no one tells you until it’s too late: the adoption fee is just the beginning. Food, treats, leashes, toys, grooming gear, flea meds, vet visits, emergency vet visits… it stacks up.

That’s why I started keeping a monthly “pet budget” and stocking up on essentials through Subscribe & Save. A few favorites:

• Greenies Dental Chews – Waffles thinks they’re dessert.
• Training Treat Pouch – Looks nerdy. Works brilliantly.
• Basic Grooming Kit – Saved me on so many bath days.

If you’re preparing to bring a pet home, I highly recommend padding your budget. You’ll thank yourself later.

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The Bond Takes Time (and Treats… Lots of Treats)

Waffles didn’t immediately trust me. And honestly, I didn’t immediately know what I was doing either. There were awkward moments. He was skittish. I was overly eager. I learned quickly that bonding isn’t about one big moment—it’s about a hundred little ones stacked up over time.

Consistency, patience, and treats. Lots of treats. These salmon bites were our peace offering.

One night, after weeks of baby steps, he fell asleep with his head on my foot. That was the moment I knew—we were good. We were home.

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Embrace the Crazy

If you think you won’t be “that” pet parent, just wait. You will 100% talk to your pet like they’re a human. You’ll cancel plans because they look too cute to leave. And you’ll have more photos of them in your phone than of anyone else in your life.

Welcome to the club.

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Final Thoughts

Being a pet parent isn’t all cuddles and Instagram moments. It’s messy, unpredictable, and sometimes overwhelming. But it’s also filled with a kind of love that’s hard to explain until you’ve felt it.

If you’re stepping into this journey, just know: you’re not alone. You’ll figure it out. You’ll mess up. And your pet will love you anyway.

Now go give them a treat. Or five. They deserve it—and so do you.