The 10 mistakes new owners make — and how to avoid them

Every year, thousands of dogs and cats are given up because the first year went wrong. The good news: beginner mistakes are almost always the same — which means they are avoidable. Here they are, in the order they usually happen.

1. Choosing a pet on impulse

A border collie in a flat with no exercise, a Bengal kitten left alone ten hours a day: the first mistake happens before adoption. Honestly match your lifestyle (time, housing, budget, absences) against the real needs of the breed or profile. Our dog and cat breed profiles give temperament, activity needs and health watchpoints for each.

2. Underestimating the first-year budget

The first year is the most expensive: adoption, microchipping, first vaccinations, neutering, a full set of gear and food. As an order of magnitude, plan €1,200–2,000 for a dog depending on size and €700–1,200 for a cat. Set aside a vet reserve of €300–500 from day one: it is the most common surprise — and the most painful when unplanned.

3. Buying food for the packaging

The prettiest bag on the shelf is not the best one. Judge a recipe on its ingredient list: named animal proteins first (“dehydrated chicken”, not “meat and animal derivatives”), and a protein level consistent with the species — the cat is a strict carnivore. Our dog food and cat food guides explain how to read a label.

4. Switching food overnight

First-week diarrhoea and vomiting often come from this. Any diet change should happen over 7–10 days, gradually increasing the share of the new food. When adopting, take home some of the food the animal was eating, even if you plan to change it.

5. Postponing the first vet visit

Book an appointment within the first two weeks, even if everything looks fine: health check, vaccination schedule, worming, and identification — microchipping is a legal requirement in many countries, including France for both dogs and cats. It is also the right consultation to discuss neutering, diet and pet insurance with a professional who has examined your animal.

6. Skipping parasite prevention

Fleas, ticks and worms give no warning. Set up a regular schedule suited to the animal’s age, weight and lifestyle. One absolute rule: never apply a dog parasite treatment to a cat — some molecules, such as permethrin, are lethal to felines. When in doubt, the answer is at the vet’s, not in the shop aisle.

7. Missing the socialisation window

For puppies and kittens alike, the first weeks at home lay the foundations: gentle handling, everyday noises, positive encounters with people, dogs, cats and other animals. A puppy well socialised before 3–4 months is protected against most behaviour problems. Puppy classes are worth every cent.

8. Punishing instead of training

Punishment mostly teaches fear — and a fearful animal does not “understand better”, it becomes wary. Modern training relies on positive reinforcement: reward the right behaviour at the right moment, ignore or prevent the wrong one, and keep the rules consistent across the whole household. Short, frequent sessions beat long, rare ones.

9. Letting boredom settle in

A dog that destroys, a cat that scratches the sofa: these are almost always symptoms of boredom. Dogs need real daily outings — not just toilet breaks — and chewing; cats need height, scratchers and fifteen minutes of hunting play a day. See our dog enrichment and cat enrichment guides.

10. Planning nothing: absences, care and emergencies

Holidays, hospital stays, work surprises: decide before you need it who will look after your animal (family, boarding, pet-sitter) and at what cost. Keep the nearest emergency vet’s number handy, a carrier within reach and health records up to date. Ten minutes of planning saves hours of panic.

💶 First-year budget in short: adoption + microchip + vaccines + neutering + gear + food ≈ €1,200–2,000 (dog) or €700–1,200 (cat), vet surprises excluded. The most underestimated item: the emergency reserve.

🩺 Our hygiene and health advice stays general: it never substitutes for an examination by a veterinarian, the only person qualified to advise on your animal.

To go further, browse the dog and cat universes: every breed has its profile, every product family its buying guide.