How To Adjust Pets to New Animals

Bringing home a new pet for any family is an exciting time. However, adjusting your other pets to your new addition can be a difficult task. All pets take different amounts of time to adapt to a new home and other pets in your household. Learn some helpful information to ensure an easy transition for everyone.

New dog and other dogs

1. Choose a neutral meeting place for the first visit between the new dog and other dog. 


2. Hold the new pet or place in a carrier to see how each dog interacts. If interaction is ok, use a loose leash for both pets to continue sniffing and seeing each other. This also allows for easy separation.


3. Reward with good commands if both dogs are enjoying getting to know each other. If any aggression occurs, separate immediately. If both dogs are getting along proceed with releasing the leash and continuing interaction.


4. Continue the visit for as long as both pets are enjoying each other. Always introduce multiple dogs one at a time to the new dog.


5. Choose a safe room that is closed off for the new addition to stay.


6. Allow interaction at home in a large space such as the back yard for space to spread out.


7. Monitor all dogs’ behavior at home, watch for any signs of fatigue and anxiety and separate as needed.


8. Feed separately at first and then feed in the same room with supervision until you are sure of any food aggression.

New cat with other cats

1. Establish a safe room for your new cat that is closed off from your other cats.


2. Allow older cats to sniff the new cat underneath the safe room door.


3. After a few days switch rooms and allow the new cat to explore while the other pet is in the safe room.


4. Bring the new cat in a carrier into the other cat’s area and allow each other to interact. If any signs of aggression, separate and try again later.


5. Place the older cat in the carrier and allow the new cat free range in the other cat’s area. If any signs of aggression, separate and try again later.


6. Allow all cats in the same room if no aggression occurs and supervise at all times. Separate if any aggression occurs.


7. Feed separately at first and then feed in the same room with supervision until you are sure of any food aggression. The same goes for toys, monitor all play time and watch for aggression

New cat and dog

1. Choose a safe room for the new addition and allows both pets to sniff each other from under the door.


2. Bring the new pet in a carrier to the other pet’s territory and allow them to interact. Separate at any signs of aggression and try again later.


3. Allow each other in the same room with separation or with a baby gate. Leave the dog on a leash and reprimand either pet if signs of aggression.


4. Feed each animal separately until interaction is amicable and adjust as needed if pets can be left alone together or if separation is needed while unsupervised.

All pets take different amounts of time to adjust. Just remember, slow and steady is ok when it comes to adding new additions to your household. Always make sure everyone has their own space and make sure to have your pets up to date on vaccinations and never introduce a sick pet to any other pets.