How To Introduce a New Pet to Your Existing Pet Family

Introducing a new pet to your existing pet family can be very stressful to all involved, whether it be a new puppy or kitten. It is sometimes difficult to know how your existing pets will react, especially if they have never had this experience before.

The main thing to remember is make this a gradual process to get the best results. Firstly set up house for your new pet in a spare room or laundry that is quiet, warm and cannot be accessed by other pets.

Set this room up with all the essentials for your pet, including litter trays, water and food bowl, toys, bedding, etc . The new arrival has most likely just been taken from its mum so it will be quite a stressful and anxious time for them. Allow them to settle in to their new surroundings for around seven days, they will start to get used to new smells and noises and will make the process a lot easier.


The next step is to introduce your pets! Take this very slowly, the second your newbie sees the monster size of a dog or a hissing cat, they will freak! Make sure dogs are on a lead at all times.

Depending on the reaction of the pets at this time, decide on whether to carry on and let them have a sniff of each other. Most times both parties will be very curious of one another and will enjoy this. If this goes well then usually it’s a good idea to let them carry on with it, a lot of pets will accept a new animal very quickly and it will be as if they were always there.

If they’ve behaved in this time, give them a nice treat! If on the other hand it has not gone so well, remove the newbie and try again tomorrow. Letting them socialise in small doses usually will iron out these problems.

Soon your pets will be living in harmony and it will be as if there were always together!

#pets
#family_pets
#behaviour
#cats
#dogs
#training
#how_to

%readyforpets