How to introduce a new pet to your household?

Introducing a new pet into your home can be an exciting time for you and your family. However, remember that like humans, pets are also attached to their old homes and so comforting can be a very stressful and undesirable occasion for them. In order to reduce this stress as much as possible, and to have the pet get a good start at its new home, it should be introduced to its new space intentionally and with proper management. Let’s learn the proper ways to introduce a new pet to your household.

Getting everything you need for your new pet

Get a collar and ID tag for your new pet

An ID tag is important because it helps people return your pet to you should it ever run away. Consider microchipping your pet 

A microchip is a small chip placed under your pet’s skin. If your pet is taken to a shelter or vet, your cat’s microchip can be scanned to find out your contact information.

Invest in a “pet carrier” to bring a new pet to your household.

Choose one that’s big enough for your pet to turn around and is hard-sided kind to keep your cat safer in the car. Plus, it has good ventilation too.

Make it feel comfortable for your pet by placing a cozy blanket, toys, and treats. Place the carrier behind the driver’s or passenger’s seat on the floor, if it fits there. Keep the carrier close until you arrive at the home to keep your pet safe.

Note: In order to make your pet feel safer and more comfortable, ask the pet store dealer if they’ll let you take a toy or other item that has familiar scents on it.

Have a pet care book on hand.

If you’ve never had a pet before, you may want to get a book on owning new pets so you understand the basics. If you don’t want to buy one, consider checking one out from your local library or reading online tutorials on pets.

Find a veterinarian.

You will want to make sure your new pet is in good health as soon as it becomes yours, so find and schedule a visit with a veterinarian as soon as possible. You can also ask your friends with pets if they have any recommendations for vets.

• Animals can easily transmit parasites or diseases to one another. To prevent this from happening as much as possible, you also want your resident pets to be up to date on their vaccinations.
• Don’t forget to get your new pet spayed or neutered if it’s not already. 
• Your veterinarian will also check for pests like ear mites, fleas, and worms.

So it is best if you can take your pet to the veterinarian before you even introduce your new pet to your household. 

Getting your household ready before you introduce a new pet

Check for other physical hazards.

Dangling cords, knickknacks, rubber bands, paper clips, and other small items can all be hazardous for your new pet. Consider moving cords out of reach or covering them in plastic tubing. Make sure to put things like rubber bands and paper clips into drawers or jars where your curious pets can’t get them.

Hide the chemicals.

Keep electrical cords and devices out of the pet’s reach to avoid her chewing on them. Child locks may be a wise investment for low cabinets.

Many household chemicals toxic to pets like cleaners, pesticides, and car fluids. So consider placing them in locked cabinets.

Remove toxic plants.

Many common household plants are toxic in nature and pose threats to the life of your new pets like aloe, like lilies, baby’s breath, and ivy.

Consider placing them on high ground or hanging them from the ceiling. Best to move them to a place where your pets do not go.

Make beds for your cat.

It’s pretty hard to keep pets off the furniture if that’s your goal, but one way to help is to give your pet its own special beds. If you’re trying to get the pet to stay off furniture, you’ll need a bed in every room.

Clean your floors using a professional-grade cleaner. 

Rent something like a carpet shampooer or hire a cleaning company to clean your carpet before your new dog comes home. This will get rid of odors from any previous owners that could attract your new pet and encourage them to mark those areas.

Consider using a pheromone diffuser. 

In order to make the house smell appealing to the pet, and override any smells that might be there from the last tenant, you can use a pheromone diffuser. Pheromone diffusers release a synthetic pheromone into the air that humans cannot smell. While pheromones don’t work on all dogs, they are very helpful for calming a lot of dogs when they are stressed out.

Teach your children important safety tips.

Your children will be more excited to have a new pet at home. In that excitement, they may harm and threaten the new member. So, it’s your responsibility to make sure your child is ready to interact with this new family member so that everyone remains safe.

Remind your child to be gentle when petting the new pet and always wash their hands after playing with him/her to avoid transferring germs.

Getting essentials to introduce a new pet to your household

Get food, water, and litter, plus containers.

You’ll need a container each for food and water. Stainless steel, ceramic, and glass are the easiest to clean. You’ll also need a litter box and litter.

Ask the shelter where you get your pet what kind of food they were using, as it’s good to at least start them on the same food.

When the pet has settled in, gradually replace a small quantity of her former food with the new food, increasing the amount slowly over the course of a week.

Think about your pet’s entertainment 

Toys help keep your pet entertained. In addition, they can provide a distraction from destroying other items in your home. Make sure you have toys on your hands, such as jingly toys and even string toys or ones with feathers. In addition, If your new pet is a cat, purchase a scratching post for your cat to sharpen its claws on, rather than your furniture.

Don’t forget the grooming tools.

You’ll of course need a brush for your cat. Most cats require regular brushing, though how often depends on the type of cat you have. You’ll also need clippers to trim the cat’s nails. A pair of pet claw trimmers work best for this purpose, which you can find at a pet store.

Make sure there’s a hiding place.

Most household pets like cats feel the need to hide away when they first get to a new place. Hiding gives them time to adjust, and it makes them feel safer. Therefore, make sure the room you choose has appropriate hiding places.

Introduce a new pet to your household

Let the pet explore the home under the supervision

In order to let the pet fully familiarise itself with its new household, let it explore the area around the home for a little while before entering it. This will help the pet assess its new domain and establish the boundaries of its new home. Make sure to supervise them during their first few visits around their new home. 

Introduce the pet to one room at a time. 

It is a good idea to let the pet get to know its new home slowly. This will allow the pet to fully explore the whole place without getting overwhelmed or uneasy.

Be consistent 

• Don’t change the pet’s schedule completely while introducing them into a new household. 
• Feed them on the same schedule.
• Take them on a walk on the same schedule as before.
• Go to bed at the same time.

Don’t just abandon your new pet 

After your new pet has had a few hours in their new household, sit beside them, talk soothingly the whole time, and don’t make any sudden movements. You may need to do this several times over several days before the pet approaches you, and let it smell you. Never try to drag it out for cuddles.

Takeaway

It may take some time for your pet to adjust to its new surroundings. Your new pet may pace, hide or act strangely for a while after you introduce him/her to a new household. Being a lovely owner, be patient. Show love, compassion, and understanding since the change was unexpected and happened abruptly for your lovely friend.

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