Six Tips for Bringing Your First Pet Home

It’s crucial to be aware of specific situations when ADOPTING FROM A SHELTER that can impact the first few weeks you spend with your new pet and ease the transition.

Adding a pet to your family is the beginning of a fantastic journey for both of you, but it’s also the most formative moment for your relationship with your pet in the long run. Puppies and kittens are prepared to determine their place in your household because each pet is an individual with a unique past. We must serve as their compass.

1. Let your new pet explore in peace

It’s normal for a pet to be apprehensive about its new home. Give your new pet time to get used to their surroundings without other pets or people present to aid in their adjustment. Before introducing the new dog or cat to the rest of their new human and animal family, it is crucial to allow them some alone time and space to explore their new home. Allowing your new pet to examine on its own can help them overcome their shyness and get used to the smell of different animals and people.

2. Prep for your new pet

Running to the pet store for bedding and toys on the day you bring your new pet home is not the best idea. Having all the necessities for your pet on hand before your latest family member arrives is crucial. Before bringing your pet home, ensure you have a crate, bedding, gates, a litter box, and non-plastic food and water bowls. Puppies benefit from having toys, treats, a collar and leash, a toothbrush, and all of the above. Cats benefit from having a scratching post, kitty tree, laser pointer, pet water fountain, and brush.

Ask the shelter or pet store what you should do in advance for other fuzzy animals. To avoid disturbing your new pet’s digestive system, try feeding them the same food they are accustomed to for at least the first few days.

3. Offer Enlightenment

If your pet comes to a shelter, they will get bored. While under our supervision, pets are continually stimulated and challenged. Both mentally and physically, with the use of puzzle toys and fresh catnip from our enrichment garden, as well as through walks and playtime. By incorporating enrichment into your routine, you can extend the life of your pet. Long walks or runs, physical play with their favorite toys, or creating your enrichment garden with herbs you can mix with puzzle toys are excellent options.

4. Patience Is Key

As was already mentioned, the key to your pet flourishing after being adopted from the shelter is to manage expectations about how they would react to their new home and environment. And a lot of that comes from patience. With all the different odors, family members, and routines they must suddenly learn to deal with, the move from shelter life to a calm home can frequently be a little overwhelming. It could take some time to adjust to simple things like commands and everyday actions. Being patient will therefore help them thrive.

5. Work for Consistency

Your new pet will have a challenging first few days (or even months) in your house. According to Miller, one of the most stressful situations for a dog is being in a shelter. He continues by saying that it will take some time for your new pet to become used to his new surroundings and gain your trust as his caregiver. Educate your dog on the house rules and the appropriate behavior, be patient and use positive reinforcement. Create a daily schedule to help your dog feel more at home while settling in. The best ways to reduce worry early on are consistency, stability, and predictability.

6. Be Accountable

Commit to caring for your dog for the rest of your life by giving him proper nourishment, exercise, and interaction in addition to veterinary care and training. With dog ownership, you also promise your neighborhood that you will be accountable for your pet’s actions, including picking up after him when he goes for walks. Learn about the dog ownership laws and standards in your community, and abide by them by getting your dog a license and ensuring he has all the necessary vaccines.

Final Views

It’s crucial to set the ground rules as soon as the new pet enters the house to aid in their adjustment. Don’t let your new pet “settle in” before abruptly changing your expectations and making life difficult for them. It’s more challenging to quit a bad habit than to develop one.

Everyone will be pleased if expectations are clear from the start, including humans. Adopting a new pet is a thrilling and extremely gratifying experience, but it is also a lot of work. Whether you’re taking home a brand new puppy, rescuing an elderly shelter dog, or adopting a feline buddy, it’s critical to plan ahead of time for life with your new pet. For instance, unless you intend to do so every night, don’t let your new puppy lie on your bed on the first night.