Introducing your new pet to the current family

 Getting a new addition to the family is always exciting! But sometimes the rest of the family isn’t always that excited about it, and its important to remember their feelings before taking in any new additions; as well as trying to make their introductions as smooth as possible. 

 

1. Ensuring each part of the family has their own space in case the initial introduction doesn’t go well. This means having a new space for your new rescue, you must not expect them to share the same bed/toys right away and never allow them to eat out of each other’s bowls. 

 

2. Taking dogs for walks together. Taking them together, perhaps with another person so you could each walk one, is a good way to see their first interactions together or how they each react to certain things. A walk can also be a good way to help them with bonding, because they are more distracted in what’s around them then starting any sort of conflict. 

 

3. Cats separate potty boxes and rooms. This is an important thing to do right away, oftentimes with feline animals you will want them separated for up to several weeks before introducing them face to face. This will allow them to be smelling each other throughout the house as scents linger and travel, helping to reduce any territorial reactions because your current cat may feel like they are being invaded. 

 

4. Introduce cats through a gap in the door before face to face. After several weeks of separation, using a crack in the wall or door can be a good way to introduce cats while avoiding any conflicts. 

 

5. Keeping dog on a leash when introducing to a cat or other dogs. This allows everybody to maintain a good amount of space from each other and for them to approach at a comfortable pace.