To your pet, your home is like their castle which must be protected. You may always notice a certain amount of rivalry and competition between your pets as this is ultimately a natural part of their development and instincts. However, with a bit of hard work and more importantly patience, harmony in your home can be restored after introducing a new animal to the brood. Much of this advice only applies to dogs and cats as smaller animals will have their own cage, tank or pen to live in.

Think things through

Before adding another pet to your home, you should be certain that you can definitely provide for a new addition. Food and insurance all add up over time. Where will your pets go when you go on holiday? Do you have enough room in your room? Don’t let your existing pets suffer because of lack of judgement. If you are on a budget, multi pet insurance can save you time and money.

Introducing a new pet

Remember that cats are territorial, proud creatures that will usually respond to change less kindly than a dog. Don’t restrict a cat’s room, let it hide or run to another room if it wants to so it can adjust to the changes at its own speed. It is important to undertake a trial visit before you take on full responsibility of a dog or cat to make sure that it won’t chase or bite your other pets.

Some people install a baby gate in the house to stop the dog from roaming upstairs. This will allow your cat to retain its own area and will help to gradually introduce them to a new dog in the house. Never try to force an introduction.

Background check

If you are adopting your new pet from a shelter or a friend, a thorough background check regarding its behaviour, health and past will help you to assess if it will pose a problem in your home. If its history is unknown, take the dog out for a few walks to establish its behaviour and always be wary of an older dog which displays first signs of aggression.

Age

If you know that your dog or cat is easily threatened by other animals, you may want to consider adopting a puppy or kitten rather than a fully grown pet. Kittens are fearless creatures that will easily go up to a fully grown dog without a fuss and puppy will appear to be less of a threat to a dog or a cat both in size and age. However, you should only introduce a younger pet if you know that they will not be harmed by an older animal. If you have a young baby or child, it is recommended that you adopt a kitten or puppy rather than an adult animal that is less predictable.

Rules

Establish a rota and set of rules with the family to establish who feeds which pet at what time, which family member will walk the dog on which day and which areas of the house the dog is allowed to roam around in. This will ensure that all your pets are fed adequately and consistently and that responsibility for their care is shared equally.

Reactions

Think of the changes from the pet’s perspective. Little details like placing a cat’s litter box out of a dogs feeding area can maintain a harmonious atmosphere. Remember to give each pet its own separate amount of attention and to give them treats and cuddles to reassure them that they are still appreciated and loved.