Congratulations on the arrival of your new furry family member! You’ve planned ahead and stocked up on the essentials. Now, it’s time to bring your pet home and embark on a new chapter together.
Even though you want them to feel right at home, it’s natural for your pet to take a little while adjusting to their new environment. It may take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months for them to feel fully settled – and for their true personality to shine.
While every pet is unique and will adjust at their own pace, the Rule of Three provides a good general timeline: For many pets, it takes three days to decompress, three weeks to develop a routine and three months to feel completely at home. Be patient, and don’t worry, you’ve got this.
Here are our top tips for helping your new pet feel comfortable and calm at home.
1. CREATE A SAFE SPACE:
Designate a peaceful place in your home for your pet to go when they’re feeling tired or overwhelmed. This may be an open crate, a cozy bed or a quiet room. Going to and from this space should always be their choice. When they’re in their safe space, let them recharge without trying to pet or interact with them – they’ll rejoin you for affection when they’re ready. This helps establish a foundation of trust.
2. TRY NATURAL CALMING AIDS:
Calming supplements are a great way to help ease stress and anxiety for dogs and cats. They come in a variety of types, including soft chews and oils, which can be added to your pet’s food or fed separately. Look for supplements with natural ingredients, like CBD, L-tryptophan, melatonin and chamomile.
3. BUILD TRUST THROUGH AFFECTION:
When it comes to showing love, make sure to move at your pet’s pace. Instead of forcing pets and cuddles, let them come to you. Unsure if they want affection? Try Pet, Pet, Pause: Give your dog or cat a short pet, then pause and remove your hand from their body. If they lean closer or stay put, chances are they want more snuggles. If they move away, they’d like some space.
4. PROVIDE ENRICHMENT:
Give your dog or cat pet chews to release endorphins, promote relaxation and help prevent destructive chewing. Just make sure to monitor them while they’re chomping. If you need to remove a chew from your pet, offer them a high-value treat in exchange to avoid resource guarding. For more enrichment, try lick mats, puzzle feeders, interactive toys and cat furniture.
5. SPEAK THEIR LANGUAGE:
Pets are experts at showing us how they feel – we just have to read their body language. You can strengthen your bond by learning common behaviors and what they mean. For example, your new pup may yawn or lick her lips when she wants space and nuzzle up against you when asking for cuddles.
6. GO ON REGULAR SNIFFY WALKS:
If your new family member is of the canine variety, make sure to let them sniff lots on their daily walks. Your dog’s sense of smell is their superpower – it allows them to process the world, exercises their brain, and promotes feelings of happiness and relaxation. In fact, sniffing for 20-30 minutes at a leisurely pace can tire them out just as much as a longer walk.
7. RESPECT THEIR COMMUNICATION:
Never punish signs of stress – including barking, growling or hissing. Your pet is trying to communicate with you, which is a positive thing. Yelling, ignoring or punishing their signals may escalate the situation. Instead, show them you’re listening by identifying the stressor, removing it or redirecting them.
8. PLAY RELAXING MUSIC:
Research shows classical music can help lower your pet’s heart rate to support relaxation. You can find free calming playlists for dogs and cats online or on your favorite music streaming platform. In addition to music, fans and white noise machines can help your pet feel calm by drowning out any stressful sounds – like thunder, fireworks or construction.
9. PHONE A FRIEND:
Remember, you’re not alone. You have a community of experts who are here to help you and your four-legged family member. If your pet is struggling with anxiety, schedule an appointment with your vet to discuss treatment options. You can also visit us in-store for personalized wellness solutions tailored to your pet’s needs.
10. SET THEM UP FOR SUCCESS:
Sign up for a local positive reinforcement training class and establish any rules early on. For example, if you don’t want your dog jumping up to greet people or counter-surfing, set these boundaries from the beginning. Reward positive behavior with treats and praise. Avoid punishment and instead focus on managing your pet’s environment and redirecting undesirable behavior.
The early days of pet parenthood can be hectic for everyone, but they’re also full of magic moments as you get to know your new family member. Before you know it, they’ll be all settled at home, and you’ll wonder how you ever managed to live without them.