Have you welcomed any new pets to your family this holiday season? Giving pets as gifts can make holiday wishes come true, but it’s important to remember that adopting a pet is a long-term commitment. The first few days and weeks you spend with your new pet will set the tone for your entire relationship. To get you started off on the right “paw,” the vets at East Valley Animal Hospital would like to share a few pet adoption tips for lifelong companionship.
Welcoming a New Pet
Bringing a new pet home is always an exciting moment, but it’s also a time of big changes for your new cat or dog. Car rides, new faces, and new places can make some pets feel shy and scared. Try to take things slowly, so your new pet doesn’t get overwhelmed.
Speak calmly and reassuringly, and give your new pet lots of affection. You might want to keep all of your new pet’s things in one room to start, then gradually familiarize them with the rest of the house. Don’t give them too many toys or treats at once—one at a time is the best way to prevent overstimulation.
Spend as much time as possible with your new pet after you bring them home. The holidays are actually a great time for adopting a new pet, because most people have time off of work or school to devote to building a strong relationship.
New Pet Introductions
If there are other pets in your home, planning their first meeting with a new pet is very important. When you’re introducing dogs to each other, choose a neutral location like a park so your current pet doesn’t feel threatened. At home, keep a close eye on your pets’ interactions, and keep them separated when you go out.
Introducing a new dog or cat to your family might make your current pet feel insecure or neglected. Even though new pets need a lot of attention, don’t let that disrupt your other pets’ routine. They’ll need extra affection and reassurance as well, so keep the treats handy.
Give your pets some time to get to know each other, and be patient. It may take some pets extra time to warm up to the new family member. Never scold your pet for growling or hissing at their new roommate—they need to communicate their boundaries so that they’ll get along well in the future.
New Pet Vaccinations
One of the best things you can do for your new pet to ensure a long, happy life is to make sure they get all of their vaccinations. Collect any immunization records from the adoption center, and schedule your new pet’s first veterinary visit as soon as possible.
Vaccinations help protect your pets from deadly diseases and other illnesses that could impair their quality of life. To make sure that your new pet stays healthy and lives a long time, bring them to East Valley Animal Hospital to get their immunizations. We can advise you on all the vaccinations your new pet will need.
If you have other pets at home, vaccinations are even more important. Make sure they’re up-to-date on their boosters before bringing a new pet home. Puppies and kittens are the most vulnerable, so keep them away from any unvaccinated pets until they’ve completed their first round of immunizations—trips to the dog park can wait!
Giving the gift of a fur-ever home this holiday season?
If you have any questions about our pet adoption tips or would like to schedule a first veterinary appointment for your new pet, contact us today! Bringing a new pet home is a very important milestone, and we would love to help. Give us a call at 480-568-2462 or send a message to info@eastvalleyanimal.com.
Photo by Leo Rivas on Unsplash used with permission under the Creative Commons license for commercial use 12/20/2021.