Adding a pet to a full house: the introduction plan, step by step
More pets means more relationships to protect. This plan comes from Cindy Carter, DVM, writing for the Tufts Veterinary Medical Foundation.
Before you bring them home
The article advises being realistic about whether your current pets will adapt. It suggests letting each pet smell a blanket or toy with the other’s scent, buying a separate food bowl for the new pet and feeding all pets separately to avoid food aggression. For cats, it suggests one litter box per cat plus one extra, in different areas. It also says to make sure all pets are up to date on vaccines and parasite prevention, and to have any medical concern checked before the introduction.
The first meeting
For dogs, it suggests neutral ground such as a front yard or park, with both dogs leashed so you can separate them without using your hands. For the first few days, keep the new pet in a separate area with a door between them, so they can sniff each other. Do not force your current pet to accept the newcomer in its own bed or space.
Be patient
Some pets adapt easily and others are slow. The article says to give your old pet as much attention as before, keep the usual routine, and make each interaction positive. If a pet needs extra help, talk to your vet about supplements, pheromones and behavioral training. Initially you may need to keep pets in separate rooms when you leave the house.
