When you’re ready to adopt an animal, there’s nothing better than those first moments together – the first car ride, the first time they see home, and the first time they meet their new people.
It’s exciting to welcome a new pet who will make your family whole! But it comes with plenty of patience and planning.
Every animal is different, but it takes time for them to adjust to what life looks like in your home. A common tip is to follow the 3-3-3 rule:
A common tip is to follow the 3-3-3 rule:
- The first three days may be overwhelming while animals get used to their new surroundings.
- After three weeks, they’ll likely have a better understanding of their routine, and they may feel more comfortable coming out of their shell.
- Three months after adoption is often when an animal feels safe, secure, and ready to build a trusting and loving bond with you as their pet parent.
Settling into a new home can be stressful for animals, and you may notice some behaviors develop while they adjust. You might also experience stress and anxiety yourself. Here are some helpful new pet tips you can follow to make it a smooth and comfortable process for them – and for you.
Common new pet behaviors – and how you can help
Stress
Especially on the first day with your new pet, all the sights, smells, and faces in your home can be overwhelming for an animal. You can help them feel more secure by keeping their introduction as slow and calm as possible.
Establish a safe space – like a guest room – where they have access to food, water, toys, litter boxes, kennels, or any other necessities. We strongly recommend taking your new pet to the vet to make sure they have a clean bill of health before introducing them to resident pets or giving them full access to your home.
Try to keep their lives as quiet and consistent as possible for at least the first week, and maybe hold off on inviting a bunch of visitors during the first week or two.
Some animals may still need more than a few days to feel safe at home. If they’re still nervous or hiding, it’s OK to take more time and go at their speed!
Hiding
The first few days are critical for your pet as they adjust to your home. Your actions and behavior will help them learn you’re someone to trust, so you may need to modify your usual schedule or habits to help them feel safe.
If a new pet seems shy or frightened, use slow movements around them. Try sitting in the same room as them and do a calm activity, like snuggling on the couch or reading a book, and let them come to you.
Busy households can be stressful for new animals. Especially if you have young children, stress the importance of handling your new pet gently, and use quiet voices when petting, playing, grooming, or helping to feed the animal.
Destructive behaviors like chewing or scratching
As you begin to leave your new pet alone more often, or with more access to the full home, additional enrichment might be necessary to avoid any separation anxiety or boredom. Stuffed treat toys, puzzle bowls, snuffle mats, crinkle balls, or other toys can be great distractions and mental stimulation for cats and dogs.
House soiling accidents
Establishing a routine is critical for helping your new furry friend settle into your home. The more structured their first few days are, the better! Especially for dogs, structured feeding, walk, potty break, and play schedules can go a long way in building trust with you as a caregiver, while reducing house soiling accidents caused by stress or confusion about potty break timing.
Tips for introducing animals to other resident pets
Welcoming a new pet can be a little trickier if you’re also introducing them to resident animals, so allow for some extra adjustment time. Here are our top tips for helping animals get used to each other:
- Taking things slow is best. Ideally, try to give your new pet a few weeks to decompress in their new environment before you start the introduction process. Their stress hormones are heightened from being in a new space, so allowing those to drop before adding another stressor can make a big difference.
- Feeding your pets at the same time (while they can’t see each other – like on opposite sides of a closed door) is a great way to help them become familiar with each other’s smells.
- If you’re introducing a dog and cat, it’s a good idea to keep your dog leashed and under control when they meet during this transition period.
You can also check out the following guides for introducing specific pets to each other:
Feeling stressed about welcoming your new pet?
Bringing home a new animal can also be a stressful experience for you as a pet parent! Just remember, you’re not alone. Reach out to other pet parents in your community and if you need advice, our free Behavior Helpline is always there to answer any questions.
