Okay, so you’re an admitted pet lover. Welcome to the club! If you’re reading this, you probably already know a thing or two about the thrills and shrills of pet ownership; but for those new to the game or out-of-the-loop, it isn’t all sunshine and rainbows!

That rug you bought at the flea market? Soiled. Vase status? Dropped. All that bed space? Taken. The kitchen? A hunting ground. 

..Okay so we exaggerate a bit, but reality isn’t far off! Here is the KinKo guide to the wackier side of owning a pet that no one warned you about.

Weird/Quirky Habits

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Pets are weird. They have their own little habits and routines that just defies common logic. For example, our resident Schnauzer occasionally feels the urge to patrol the kitchen at the strike of midnight – strange!

But did you ever consider that they picked it up from you? Our pets are actually very observant of their humans and might even pick up the odd habits from them. So the next time you see your pet doing something unusual think back to your own routine! As for me – it was definitely the midnight snacking. 

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Cleaning Up

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If aliens took a peek at Earth, they’d probably think that humans existed to serve their four-legged pals in the hierarchy. Think of it – we entertain them, feed them, coddle them, and even clean after them!

Cleaning up in particular is one of the least glamorous things about pet ownership – it’s a dirty job but someone’s gotta do it! But the cleaning itself isn’t necessarily the catch; it’s when and how often it happens. For puppies or kittens you’ll need to be part hawk considering how long you’ll have your eye trained on them. When the inevitable happens – take a deep breath, center yourself – then start scrubbing before it seeps into the floor!

In all seriousness, positive reinforcement is the way to go when potty training our pals. Persevere and they’ll get the memo sooner than later.

Picky Eaters

On paper, feeding your pet should be fairly straightforward: food on the left, water on the right, and treats to spoil them. In reality, feeding is one of the most hotly debated topics of the pet world – though that’s a whole can of worms for another time.

Much like humans, pets can be picky to the extreme. Some are known to outright ignore water based on the bowl it's on! You’ll soon learn that it’s all about striking a balance, understanding the quirks of your pets, and just seeing what sticks.

Our tips? Don’t be afraid to change things up! Try new things or sprinkle new flavours on their food to get them interested. Maybe it’s not about food – maybe they just need more stimulus; experiment with new toys or ways to exercise them. At the end, it’s all about variety and understanding their personality.

Altered Routines

Adopting a pet is a life-altering decision; and that’s no exaggeration! They are often very willful creatures and will test your ability to create and stick to a schedule. Take the humble walk for instance: depending on their temperament, these can take up to twice a day for 30 minutes to an hour!

Beyond the bigger changes, you’ll notice your habits changing in small ways too. Like scooting over to the side when opening doors. Keeping a seat open for them. Having full-blown rants when no one’s around.

As clever as we are, sometimes we have to wonder if we’re training them, or if they’re training us?

Final Thoughts

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Perhaps the weirdest part of them all: we still love and dote on these walking nightmares. Their odds and ends make them who they are, and we wouldn’t change it for anything. Their quirks make them unique, and that they influence us the same way we influence them is the most rewarding part of pet ownership.