Every day around the world, even in Orange County, a new dog or cat is brought home. This can be a tricky situation depending on the personalities of all the animals involved. Some pets get along swimmingly whereas others just manage to keep the peace. The objective of introducing pets is to ensure that they will get along regardless if they are best friends. So here are some ideas to help you do just that.
Before bringing your new pet into the home take the other pets to another room and close the door. This will give your new pet time to acclimate themselves to their new home.
Control the introduction by keeping your dogs or cats on a leash. Do not let them corner each other for any reason. If they get aggressive then stop it immediately. Give them treats to encourage any non-aggressive behavior.
After the initial introduction allow them to get to know each other on their own time. Don’t force them to be together. A good way to do this is to provide each pet their own bowls and potty areas.
Keep an eye on your pets as they interact. Don’t allow them to be alone together until you are certain that they are getting along alright.
If you have any questions about the best ways to help your pets get along talk to your veterinarian. Here’s hoping you will have a harmonious home.