From The Elmore County Humane Society
Last week we talked about all the considerations we hope families will make about adding a new pet to the family over the holidays. For those who are taking the plunge, here are some more pointers to get pet and people off to a good start.
No matter where you get your new pet, please give your new pet time to adjust. There are dogs and a few cats that quickly adapt to their new home with little effort. But there are others for whom change is more challenging and will need more time to develop trust in their new home and situation. That means patience in allowing those new pets the time to learn about life with their new family. For these pets it can be a matter of a week or a month or more, but most will end up being wonderful pets if they are simply given the time to adjust and trust that they have a new and permanent home. You cannot force these pets to adapt on your timeline, so be honest with yourself if you are able and willing to help a new pet that might need just a bit longer to feel comfortable.
If you are bringing home a new puppy, keep in mind that puppies are like toddlers in that they don’t understand what is safe and what is off limits. Remember, if a puppy can get something in his mouth, he’ll eat it or chew it! That’s why it’s essential to puppy proof your home and yard. Look at your house from your new puppy’s point of view. Get on your hands and knees so you don’t miss anything at ground level. Keep anything dangerous, like cleaning supplies, behind locked cupboard doors or stored up high. Tie all electrical cords out of your puppy’s reach.
Knickknacks and cell phones can’t be destroyed if they’re kept in drawers or on a high shelf. Keep shoes in a closed closet. If you don’t want something to become a chew toy, prevent your puppy from getting it in the first place. Food smells will attract your puppy, so be sure he can’t get in your trash. Use barricades like baby gates or exercise pens to keep your puppy confined to safe areas or out of unsafe ones. Check the yard for things like poisonous plants, toxic chemicals, yard tools and look for holes or gaps under gates a small puppy could squeeze though.
If you are bringing home a new kitten, much of the above still applies though you have to also look high since kittens climb and jump quite well. To help a kitten or new cat transition, give it a place to hide. Cardboard boxes or sheets draped over chairs make ideal hiding spots when you first bring kitty home. If the kitten or cat does hide, just let it be and let it come out to investigate on its own timeline. Just like dogs you cannot force a new cat to come around on your schedule.
Make sure the kitten/cat knows where its litter box is located and place the food and water across the room or in another room as who wants to eat next to their toilet.
Keeping new pets confined to limited areas of the house can help greatly in not only housetraining but just keeping them safe as they learn about their new home. Don’t worry if your new pet(s) doesn’t eat all that well the first 24-48 hours as they learn new routines.
And let your pet get to know you and your family before carting it all over the place as that places even more stress on an animal that might be struggling to feel comfortable in its new home. If your holiday schedule is beyond hectic with parties and activities, perhaps delay bringing in a new pet until after the first of the year when things are calmer, and you have more time to help your new pet become a loved member of your family. Sadly all of our area Shelters will still have many pets in need of new homes after the New Year and every month thereafter so don’t fret if you find it best to wait until after the holidays to add a new pet to your family.
