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Introducing a new kitten into the family... |
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If you already have an adult cat or dog, bringing a new pet into their territory must be managed thoughtfully and carefully. Before exposing any newcomer to your resident cat or dog, have your new puppy checked by a veterinarian and tested for parasites and contagious diseases. While awaiting the test results keep the new arrival isolated from your other pets, in a separate room or in a cage. This also allows time for the house smell to settle on the newcomer, which may help make the introductions less threatening. After a few days remove the new puppy from its separate quarters for awhile and let the resident pets go in and sniff the new scent. When the time seems right allow the resident pets to see and sniff the newcomer, but supervise all contact for the first few weeks. Keep dogs on a leash during these meetings so they won't chase and frighten the newcomer. Gradually increase the exposure time until the pets seem to settle down and become acquainted. Although it's usually easier to introduce a puppy rather than a grown dog into a home, don't be dismayed if it takes as long as a month for the animals to accept each other and become friends. Cats are territorial creatures and adding a newcomer to the environment means that new boundaries must be set. In time the tension usually disappears; however pets, like people, are individuals and occasionally two turn out to be simply incompatible. Most shelters and breeders will agree to take back an animal if things don't work out in the new home, but just in case, always make sure your purchase or adoption agreement clearly states the terms |
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