Whether it’s welcoming a new puppy into your dog pack or integrating yours and your new partner’s dog or cat family, introducing a pet can be difficult. Here’s how to make them go more smoothly.
Adding a new pet to your family is always fun, but it can get a little complicated if you already have pets at home that have their own way of doing things. Their world is about to be rocked with toys, food, and new animals arriving to vie for your affection. Even normally friendly pets may get a little nervous in such situations.
The best-case scenario is that your pet will become your friend in no time. And some cool-headed pets can easily get started with a casual sniff, quickly leading to a game of tug-of-war. However, most pets require a little more moderation on the part of their owners to introduce them easily.
In general, even across species, introduction is easiest among young pets. Puppies and kittens raised together are best socialized and can easily form relationships into adulthood. However, you are not without luck when dealing with adult animals. Even if you have an old dog that doesn’t like learning new tricks and you end up living with your partner and their fussy cat, there’s still hope.
Here are the best science-based tips from animal trainers and behaviorists to take your pet from stranger to happy housemate.
Before you consider bringing another animal into your space, you should make sure your current pet’s training is as strong as possible.
this is especially This is when introducing animals that have a strong appetite for prey (a behavior common to many terriers and hunting dogs) or that are not good at reading social cues about when other animals want to play. important to Many cats don’t get along with overly enthusiastic puppies. Dog-to-dog cohabitation can cause severe scratching if the dog doesn’t give the cat enough space.
Train your dog to listen to “Leave me alone” or similar commands to distract him when needed. Doing so will help free the animal from chasing and abusing other animals before things heat up. Better yet, give your child a place to settle down, such as a mat, bed, or crate, and give them time to cool down before returning to their new friend.
If your dog’s obedience skills are a little shaky, consider working with a dog trainer who has more hands-on experience to establish a solid training program for your dog.
While it may be tempting to lay a cute puppy or kitten on the floor and observe your pet’s reaction, this can be a dangerous practice for all pets. It is best to keep the introduced pet in another part of the house so that it gets used to the smells and sounds of other animals in the house.
Use closed doors to give each a separate zone in your home. Most cats will be happy with him in one room during this trial period, as long as he has all the necessities (food, water, litter box). It’s best to give your first pet as much room to roam as possible so that the new animal doesn’t feel like it’s encroaching on their territory.
They’re probably curious about what the person is doing on the other side of the door. a lot of sniffing! That’s a good sign they’re getting used to each other.
Animals get to know each other through smell, and it’s important to get them accustomed to new animal smells in your home. very It helps lay the foundation for a successful implementation.
Cuddle each pet with a blanket, towel, cushion, or other soft object and change it after a few days. Cuddling in the same cozy blanket, each animal gets used to the other’s scent and learns not to see it as a threat. You can repeat this process multiple times and add more scent-marked fabrics to keep the scent fresh and even establish its presence in other areas of your home.
This process can be done in one home while the animals are still apart, or between homes for a more phased introduction.
When introducing a cat, it’s important to have a safe, dog-free space where the cat can take refuge whenever it needs a little more space. This could be a tall cat tree that allows you to explore the space (and your dog) underneath, or a closet or cubicle with a cat door that keeps out large dogs.
Try to familiarize your dog with this space before the introduction begins so he knows exactly where to go if he has something for him. a bit There is more enthusiasm for professional wrestling than them.
Having two slightly overexcited pets spells disaster. It’s best to be as calm as possible before introducing your pet. Take your dog (and lead-friendly cat) for a long walk or give it something nice. dog again Activities to enrich cats to burn energy. That way, you’ll feel more relaxed when greeting your new roommate.
It may seem counterintuitive at first, but dinnertime wonderful It’s time to start introducing pets! There’s a reason most human first dates happen at dinner. Eating together makes you feel safe, and the same is true for your pet.
Start this process on the other side of the closed door. Keep your dog on a leash for now to keep him from rushing into the door and to develop good habits later in the process. (Also consider using a leash if your cat has been leash trained or tends to be aggressive. However, cats are usually more likely to flee stressful situations. .)
Feed each pet as usual, letting them eat while you hear and smell their new housemates doing the same on the other side of the door. Keep repeating this process until this becomes a regular part of your pet’s life and your pet associates the presence of other animals with delicious food. This may take several weeks, but don’t rush.
Once you’re completely comfortable with this routine, start replacing the closed door with a dog gate (the old baby gate your mom keeps works just fine). Seeing each other adds a new variable to this process, and you may be tempted to approach the gate for a good smell. That’s fine, but keep your leads under control so you can control their interactions. Keep feeding like this until this becomes routine again.
The next step is to bring down the gate (drumroll please!) and let them line up and eat without fences. Proper lead control is especially important at this time. Be prepared to quickly resolve any negative interactions between pets. Voracious animals may still be primarily focused on food, but your pet will get the chance to get up close, smell, and play when needed.
Once you’re completely sure they can interact peacefully, take the lead off and give them a little space. I’ll have to keep monitoring the interaction for a while, but congratulations. You have successfully introduced a pet.
Having your pet comfortably occupy a space with you is a big milestone, but it’s not the end. Animal behavior is complex, so you may find unexpected friction points as your pets get to know each other.
If your pet shows a propensity to guard resources, do your best to give them their own resources. Each should have its own toy and can also be arranged to keep food separate. To prevent pets from stealing each other’s food and causing fights, consider staggering feeding schedules, raising cat food bowls, and using microchipped personal feeders. please give me.
You should also continue your education using: positive reinforcement Every time I have a good interaction with a new housemate! Depending on your partner’s attitude, you can start by giving them small treats to create a positive connection just by looking at their animal. Once you get along, you can snuggle up next to them, praise them when they play comfortably, and give them treats to deepen their bonds.
Introducing a pet can be intimidating, but with patience, positive reinforcement, and understanding, most pets can be comfortable roommates. If you’re lucky, you might find two new best friends.