Bringing Your New Pet Home

Bringing a new cat or dog into your family is an exciting time! Now that you have picked out the perfect match, take some time to consider what the pet needs upon arriving to its new home.

In addition to all the necessary items you need to have on hand for your new pet (leashes, food, litter boxes, dishes, etc), your pet will need some time to decompress. Did you know that it can take on average 3 months (some times longer) for your pet to make the transition from living in a shelter environment to feeling comfortable in your home, and becoming a full-fledged member of your family? Things can seem a little unsettled for a while, but soon, it will seem like they have always been a part of your family.

Post Surgery

If your new pet has just had surgery, it is important that they be kept calm for 10 days. For dogs, this means only going for leash walks to go potty, and restricting activity both indoors and out. Cats should be kept in in a small room such as a bathroom to ensure low activity levels and no jumping. Excessive activity can cause fluid buildup in the surgery area. You will want the surgery sight to be completely healed before any strenuous activities or baths. Check the incision site daily to make sure there is no swelling, draining of fluids, redness or if it feels hot to the touch. If you notice any of these it is important to call your Veterinarian.

House-proofing

It’s always a good idea to have your house animal proofed. Your new dog or cat will want to investigate their new home, and remember, everything is new to them. Plants, food, and inedible objects should be placed out of reach as these items can be toxic or deadly to pets. Kid’s toys are especially appealing to puppies, as they think all toys belong to them, and small objects are dangerous when injested.

Cats

Surprsing to some people, your new cat or kitten will take some time to adjust to you and your home. We suggest starting them off in a safe, small room for them to live in for the first couple of weeks. This is a room where they can feel safe and have easy access to their food, water and litter box. This allows them time to get accustomed to the new sights, smells, and sounds in the home. Do not be surprised if your new cat hides and seems disinterested in humans for the first few days. Even seemingly friendly cats during adoption can be scared in a new home and it is important to start each one in their own space. This is also a great time for some good one-on-one time for the both of you! It is important that they do not feel overwhelmed, and giving them the run of the whole house right away may be frightening and can cause them to run and hide.

Every cat is unique and will adjust in their own time, some may need weeks to decompress and other may just new a few days. Most cats (and dogs) are not fully secure and comfortable in their new home and the routines until about 3 months after they have arrived.

This is also a good way of introducing the new cat or kitten to any pets that are already in the home. They will be able to hear and smell each other safely through the closed door. After a week or two in the room, open the door and let the cat or kitten explore on their own. Don’t be surprised if they run back to their safe room when frightened. It is important that they feel comfortable. Let them slowly explore giving them breaks in their safe room with the door closed. Before you know it they will be picking out all their favorite places to sleep and play in the house!

Dogs

New dogs in a home can often seem very excited to be there. However, they will take time to fully adjust and be comfortable with their new surroundings, rountines, and people. They often do not show their full personalities until they have been there about 3 months, and behavior issues not seen originally can crop up as early as 3 weeks in to their new homes. Patience is necessary for owners while their dogs adjust to the new routines and begin to feel comfortable.

For your new puppy or dog, having a crate already set up in a quiet place in your house with a nice cushiony bed and some toys is a great idea. Choosing the correct size crate is almost as important as having one. It should be just large enough for the dog to lie down, stand up, and turn around. If a crate is too large might convince your new dog that there is plenty of space to both rest and eliminate. As you can probably imagine, the crate can also be used as a tool to help with housetraining! According to the AKC, The principle behind using a crate for housetraining is that dogs are clean creatures and don’t like a urine-soaked rug in their living spaces any more than us humans would!

The crate should be their cozy safe spot when you are sleeping or are out of the house, that is, until they can show you that they understand the correct doggie behavior in your home. We stress that a crate should never be used as a punishment. Your new best friend should see the crate as a safe place where they are comfortable. If trained correctly, dogs will go into their crates on their own or when they are feeling uneasy and need a safe place to rest.

Most dogs and puppies love being outdoors and especially if they get to spend that time with you! Training your new best friend is one of the best enrichment tools there are. And this is the absolute best time to teach them about walking on a leash and learning commands while building a one-of-a-kind bond with you. We strongly suggest positive reinforcement training. This type of training allows you to clearly communicate with your dog. When your pet demonstrates a desired behavior, reward them with treats, as behaviors that are rewarded are repeated.

Introducing a new cat to cat(s) already in the home

When introducing a cat to cat or cats already in the home, go slowly and allow them plenty of space to be able to get away from each other. During the period when the new kitty is in its own room, you can swap bedding and toys so they can get used to each other’s smells. When it is time for them to meet face to face, allow the new cat to meet one cat at a time so they don’t feel overwhelmed. Make sure they have access to go back into their room if they want to and that both cats have plenty of space to move around each other, including vertical spaces. Feeding treats or their favorite foods to each cat when they are near each other will allow them to associate the good feelings they have their food to the other cat. Remember, hissing is a very common method of communication for cats and it does not mean they will not or do not get along. As with anyone new to a house, there will be an adjustment period while they learn each other’s smells, behaviors and personalities.

Introducing a new dog to cat(s) already in the home

Many new dogs will be excited to be in their new home and even more excited to see a smaller furry four-legged friend. We suggest leaving the leash on the dog so that you can easily grab him or her if they are chasing the cat(s) or being too rough. It is also important that the cats have plenty of access to spaces where the dog cannot go, both horizontal and vertical (such as cat condos and ledges). It is also important that the dog does not block access to the litter boxes and cause any new elimination problems for the cat.

All the time and love that you give to your new furry friend will come back to you with the loyalty and love only a pet can give. So relax, have fun, and enjoy!