How to Introduce a New Pet to the Family

Bringing a new pet into the family is an exciting moment, and while introducing your new fur baby to the family should be done delicately, it’s not impossible to make it exciting too! Whether it be by doing your research and finding the perfect interactive pet toy for your new pet and their arrival or thinking it through thoroughly to initiate the perfect introduction to the other members of the household, every effort is essential and should be embraced from BEFORE the moment they get home.

Before You Bring Your Pet Home…

• Do your research, shopping and prep BEFORE your new pet comes home. Know what you’re doing, and have everything they may need (all set up) before they arrive. Having their own bed, food dishes, toys, accessories like collars and leashes and puppy pads or litter boxes, will help to ensure your pets don’t feel the need to compete for resources.
• Prepare any children in the household. If you have children, it’s crucial to prepare them for a new pet by teaching them the proper ways to interact with them. Along with this, it’s good to enlighten them as to how their little buddy must be feeling in this situation and beneficial to get them to be involved in all aspects of the pet’s life from feeding them to having fun with them.
• Plan it right. Make sure you have time to spend with your new pet once you bring them home. In any situation, moving to a new place (especially with new people!) can be daunting — even for animals. That’s why it’s important for you to take the time to help them adjust and settle in. If possible, consider taking a long weekend or requesting some time off so you and your new pet can get acquainted and so you can help them adjust.

Now That Your Pet is Home…

• Give your new pet lots of time and space to explore. While it is important that your pet builds relationships and special bonds with the people in your home, consider giving them their own time and space to explore their new environment. Giving them a little bit of this before introducing them to the rest of the family (especially when it comes to  rambunctious children) is a good idea in order for them to see it’s a safe space, smell it out and scope the space for a good getaway if needed, which will come with a lot of comfort.
• Start the process by introducing pets to each others’ scents. Before you let your new and existing pets meet face-to-face, consider letting them familiarize with each other’s scents. Start this process by swapping their bedding, or simply petting each one with a different sock over your hand and swapping socks to let them sniff. 
• Keep initial introductions very controlled. Especially if there is ANY cause for concern, consider keeping dogs on short leashes and smaller animals like rabbits behind pet gates or pens. If needed, also be sure to create clear escape routes for each pet to turn to in order to ensure they don’t feel trapped with a new animal and get aggressive.
• Make meetings in mutual neutral spaces. Once you feel your pet is ready to be introduced to the rest of the animals in the household, make sure you are setting them up to succeed. If possible, take your new pet and your current pet to a mutual neutral zone – somewhere your current pet either hasn’t claimed or doesn’t go to often. Stay vigilant during this time, and always be prepared to intervene if necessary.
• Use positive reinforcement like crazy. Positive reinforcement will create positive associations, which is key! This includes a lot of sweet talk, praise and treats. If you’re able to maintain positive reinforcement with your animals, they will quickly be able to associate each other’s presence with good, positive things!

All the While…

• Never reprimand or punish your pets for their natural reactions. Growling, hissing or trying to defend themselves during the introduction phase is completely normal. Be prepared to intervene if you must, but avoid scolding and punishing them as the pet being scolded may very well come to associate punishment with the presence of the other pet, which will only lead to more bad blood between them.
• Keep your fur babies’ food and water bowls in separate places. It may seem easier to keep all of them grouped together, but this can lead to your pets feeling the need to compete for resources. Pay attention you aren’t changing your current pet’s routine too much or neglect to give them their usual treats or lovin’, as well, as this can have the same effect!
• Fill the house and your pets with lots of love. Love, attention and reassurance are key! Existing pets may need extra attention to reaffirm their place in your heart and home upon bringing in a new pet. Likewise, new pets may need reassurance and comfort as they adjust to their new environment and routine. Animals pick up on moods at a masterful level, so even taking odd and simple measures to make you feel good, like wearing your cute animal socks or watering your plants may help to spread the love and comfort. 

Introduction to Adoration

Give everyone time and space – don’t force the relationship. You may be eager for your pet to become comfortable with their new environment the second you bring them home, but every animal needs time to adjust. Their personalities are all different – some may be shy and timid, while others are outgoing and friendly. Let your pets adjust at their own pace. If relationships are forced, it’s unlikely to start off well and it’ll be harder to recover!