Having a pet is always a joy - whether it's a dog, a cat, a rabbit or any other fuzzy creature - it can bring warmth and comfort to a home and be a reliable friend to come back to. This is especially important if you're living on your own - pets are definitely good at alleviating loneliness.

A lot of the time, when getting a pet, people aren't aware  of the work involved in being a pet owner. While most people do consider walking, feeding, etc., there are certain things - like cat hair on the soft furnishings, or that persistent animal smell all over everything - that we fail to anticipate when bringing our little bundle of joy home. So here are the things to consider and expect when buying a furry house pet.

The number one issue is, of course, training your knew friend. You don't need to potty train cats - they know what to do. The only thing you need to take care of if buying the cat litter. While there are certain types of kitty sand that are specifically made to absorb and decrease the unpleasant smell, you can never be rid of it entirely. This is why you need to make sure to put the cat box in a place where the smell wouldn't bother you or your guests - kitchens, bedrooms and dining rooms are completely out of the question. One of the best places to put the kitty litter would be the closet, as that space is usually used the least, but you'll need to decide based on your own situation. The cat litter needs to be taken out about once a day and never less frequently than once every two days. Not only is it unpleasant to keep it around longer, but neglected cats will usually make a mess in the rest of the house.

Dogs are a little bit more complicated. It is generally not a good idea to keep a dog inside as they need space and might make a mess of your house or apartment, if they feel lonely. However, if you do decide to take care of the dog inside, be prepared for a few weeks of potty training, just like you would a child. The only difference is, dogs do not wear diapers, so be prepared to clean up a few times while the animal is still learning. This is why during this stage you should only keep the dog in tiled rooms - it's much easier to remove stains from tiles than it is from carpets. The supplies you'll need are pretty straight forward - a plastic bag, a mop and cleaning solution should suffice. You might also want to use air freshener, if you want to get rid of unpleasant smells quickly.

Another issue with house pets is fur. It's inevitable - if you own a furry pet, you're going to have to resolve yourself to hair on the carpets and soft furnishings. That said, there are more efficient ways to temporarily get rid of it than using a vacuum cleaner. You should be able to get a Velcro brush at any hardware store. You might also want to use anti-static spray to prevent hair sticking to the furniture as much as possible.

When getting a pet, you always have to resign yourself to multiplying the amount of chores you have to do. However, by following these simple guidelines, you should be able to keep your house clean and safe and enjoy the company of your new friend without worrying about the mess they leave behind.