What to Expect When You’re Expecting (a New Pet)

One subject that comes up again and again when adopters come to the shelter is the adjustment period for a new animal. Should you expect your new pet to feel at home in a matter of hours, or days, or weeks? When I adopted my dog River Tam, it took her a total of thirty seconds to take over the house. My cat, on the other hand, refused to leave the safety of my bedroom for almost a year. This is the same cat, mind you, that had been living in my office for eight months prior to coming home and was already more than comfortable with me. Some animals just take longer to adjust to their new surroundings than others. If you’re thinking of adding a new pet to your family, keep these tips in mind to help your pet feel at home.

No “Welcome Home” Parties

You’d be surprised how many people adopt an animal right before a holiday or big get-together and then end up returning the animal because it was too scared by all the commotion. Your pet’s first night at home is not the time to invite your entire neighborhood to the house. Not knowing your new pet well, you have no idea how they’ll respond to an unfamiliar house full of strangers. Remember – a nervous pet may respond aggressively if they are cornered or scared. Give your pet time to settle into your home and become familiar with you before introducing them to everyone you know.

Find a Separate Room

Moving from a kennel at the shelter to a home can be a frightening transition. Cats seem to feel more overwhelmed than dogs and often want to hide when they get home. Help make your pet’s adjustment period easier by confining them to one room, like a bedroom, instead of giving them the entire house to explore. Once they’re more comfortable, let them out to discover the rest of the home.

Set up a Routine

Will your pet be crated while you’re out of the house? Is your pet allowed to sleep in your bed at night? Determine what your routine will be before bringing your new pet home and make sure to establish that routine immediately. If you expect your new dog to sleep in a dog bed every night, don’t let him sleep in your bed his first few nights at home!

Give Them a Safe Place

Some cats at the shelter seek out the safety of an enclosed cat bed, or cat hut, when they first arrive. With all the hustle and bustle happening around them, the enclosed space makes them feel more comfortable. Whether it’s a crate or a cat bed, try offering your new pet a safe place to hide when they first get home. Some animals appreciate having a place where they can watch what’s going on from afar.

Give Them Some Space

I’ve heard many parents say to their children, “Don’t hang off me,” and I’m sure, if our pets could speak, they’d be saying the same thing. If you have children, remind them to give your new pet some space. Don’t carry your new cat around all the time or constantly hug your new dog. As we often remind the volunteer at the shelter: you may feel an immediate bond with an animal but, to that animal, you’re still a stranger and they might take a while to feel comfortable with you. Give your pet some space and let them come to you for attention.

Be Patient

More than anything else, remember to be patient with your new pet. While one animal can feel right at home within a couple of minutes, another might need a couple of weeks. There is no formula for how long it will take for a pet to adjust. With a little patience, and a lot of love, your new best friend will be happily settled in to your home in no time!

Alaina Goodnough is the Promotions Coordinator at Cocheco Valley Humane Society in Dover, NH. She lives in Sanford, ME with two parrots, a cat, and two dachshunds. She can be reached at CVHS at devassist@cvhsonline.org