Help your pet get used to its new home

Pets are a big problem in America. According to the 2021-22 APPA National Pet Owners Survey, 70% of U.S. households own a pet, which equates to 90.5 million households, with 69.0% dogs and 45.3% cats, with fish, reptiles and horses. , followed by other small animals. animal. Most of the House staffer Rosie falls under that statistic.

Just like us, our pets want to feel loved, safe, secure and comfortable.

Whether you’re bringing a new pet home or moving into a new home with your pet, follow these guidelines for a peaceful transition.

In most cases, animals that come out of their shelters are kept in cages or kennels for days, weeks, months, or even years until they find their permanent homes.

Don’t let them run your home as soon as you get home. Instead, have a safe room ready before they arrive. This is another room where new pets can explore their new homes. A spare bedroom or bathroom works well. Avoid utility rooms. Noisy water heaters, washing machines, and dryers can scare pets.

Provide a safe room with bedding, food, water, a litter box (for cats) and a pee pad (for dogs). Include items in her front space such as blankets, scratchers, and toys that add to her sense of security.

The Humane Society of America offers tips for acclimatizing your dog to a new environment. A lot of that applies to cats too.

Consider an appropriately sized crate or enclosed pet play area large enough for your dog to stand up and turn to use as a safe and quiet “den.”

If you know what kind of food your new pet is eating, buy a small bag to keep their diet consistent. and gradually mix.

When and by whom is the dog walked?

How often do you feed your pet?

Will they be allowed on furniture or will they have to adapt to the crate first?

where do they rest at night?

Arrange for your new pet to arrive when you can be home for a few days in a row. Get to know each other and spend quality time together. For the first few weeks, establish a routine. Routines help them understand what to expect and come to trust you. If possible, feed and walk your pet and go to work at the same time each day.

Give your new dog a week or more to settle down and get used to the new environment.

If she’s your only pet, you can give her a chance to explore.

Keep her on a leash so you can figure out where not to go. Walk around each room and smell them. Pet and play in these accessible areas and associate these places with positive things. Depending on the nature of your dog, it may be necessary to take a few “guided tours” on a leash before you can get an idea of ​​how your pet behaves in the house and what areas it has access to. Puppies should be allowed to be supervised in confined areas of the home until they are house trained.

Some dogs feel safest in relatively small areas and only want to explore other parts of the house if accompanied. Please support it.

Consider leaving your dog with a fulfilling item such as a stuffed animal or a puzzle food bowl when you leave the house. This provides mental and physical distraction and can help prevent problems such as separation anxiety.

The cat may hide under the bed or in the closet for the first few days. If you know he’s there, don’t force him out. A small, quiet place with a litter box, dishes, a box or bed will help him feel safe.

It may take a week or more for your cat to feel comfortable. If he is there, open the door from the pet room and sit on the other side. Encourage your cat to come to you, then reward it with attention or treats. Let your cat roam freely while sitting. After 15 minutes, when the cat seems comfortable, get up and run your errands in the house, but stay close enough so that it’s not a problem. At first, limit his free time to less than an hour, but gradually increase it until your cat or kitten is home whenever you are home.

Some animals respond very well to expanding their living area. Others are frightened and retreat. If your new pet seems nervous about the extra access, slow down the process.Similar to dogs, some animals feel safest in relatively small confines and only stay in the home when accompanied. You may explore other areas. Know what your pet likes and try to support those preferences.

Even the most docile animals can cause harm if they feel threatened. As a pet parent, it is your responsibility to teach your pet proper behavior, and so is teaching your children and grandchildren how to behave around pets. The Humane Society recommends:

Always supervise children with pets.

Teach your children to treat animals with respect. Learn how to approach and touch your dog properly.

Help children understand body language so they can recognize if a dog or cat is friendly, fearful, or aggressive.

When your child greets your dog, move slowly and hold out the back of your hand to the dog to sniff it before petting it.

Children should not let dogs chase them.

Avoid tug-of-war games. They can overstimulate dogs and encourage them to grab hands or clothes.

Do not allow children to disturb the dog when it is eating, chewing on bones or toys, or sleeping. Dogs are naturally territorial and may growl, snap, and bite to defend their property.

Tell children not to look directly into the dog’s eyes. In dog language, a stare is threatening and can cause a dog to act dominant or aggressive.

As he adjusts to his new home, limit the children’s interactions to gentle petting and only when animals approach.

Do not allow young children to lift, carry, or face animals. Sudden movements and loud noises can easily scare your pet. Children should talk and sit quietly around the animals.

There are a number of steps that must be taken when introducing a new pet into a household with other animals. Carrie Porpins suggests:

please take it easy: Trying to introduce your pet too early when he’s not showing any signs that he’s comfortable can set you back at the drawing board or worse.

Do not force an introduction. It is not recommended to hold a cat, put it in a carrier or cage, and place it directly in front of your dog’s face. That behavior can produce very fearful or defensive cats and can hurt you or the animal in the process. Get used to the scent of

Make sure you have enough vertical space: Provide a tall tower or ledge suitable for cats to keep out of dog’s reach. This allows the cat to feel comfortable and confident in the space.

Do not punish: Using force or punishment can make cats associate negative things with other animals. We also don’t tell our pets what we want them to do. Do not use prongs, chalk, or shock collars on your pet.

Make it a positive experience: Take advantage of expensive food, toys, and petting when your pet is in the same place. Look at each other and reward each other for being in the same space.

Train your pet: Both cats and dogs can be trained using positive reinforcement. You can teach your pet to be well-behaved and calm in the presence of other animals by using basic cues such as sit, sit, lay down, and look. Training together also helps build a bond with them. Dogs can be trained on the floor and cats on a table or counter.

Additionally, the Arizona Humane Society warns: Kittens should be kept separate from especially energetic dogs until they are fully grown. Usually a socialized cat will be able to have a puppy in their place, but some cats are not confident enough to do this. may need to be kept away from the puppy until ”

Following these guidelines will make the transition from shelter to home smoother and create a lasting bond between you and your pet.