How to Safely Introduce a New Pet to Your Household

By: Natalie Pons, Office Manager at Pawsitivity Pet Services

Bringing a new pet into your home is an exciting time! Whether you’ve adopted a furry friend from our wonderful Loudoun County Animal Services (LCAS) or welcomed a puppy from a breeder, a careful gradual introduction is key to setting everyone up for success. Rushing the process can lead to stress, fear, and even aggression between your existing pets and the newcomer.

This guide will walk you through suggested steps to safely introduce your new pet and create a harmonious household. Please note, it is always recommended to speak with a trainer, behavior specialist and/or your pet first.

Preparation

Before your new pet steps their paws in your home, make sure you prepare!

Separate Spaces

Designate a safe and comfortable space for your new pet. This could be a spare room, a quiet corner and/or a crate. Equip this space with their essentials: food and water bowls, a comfortable bed, toys and/or a litter box (for cats), This allows them to acclimate to the new environment without feeling overwhelmed by existing pets (ASPCA).

Scent Introduction 

Before direct interaction, consider allowing your pets to get used to each other’s scents. You can do this by swapping bedding or toys between their spaces. This lets them get comfortable with the scents while still remaining separate. Pets gain valuable information about others with scent and this allows for this while also removing the pressure of a face-to-face encounter right away (Loudoun County Animal Services).

Neutral Territory

Plan your initial supervised introductions in a neutral space, if possible. If there is a common room in the house, this will work great! If not, consider an outdoor area (with minimal distractions) that neither pet will feel territorial of. If you choose to have the pets meet in a common room, first, put away any toys or treats that may cause resource guardian issues during initial meetings.

Gradual Introduction

This step of the process requires patience and careful observation. Don’t rush if either pet shows signs of stress, fear or anxiety!

Visual Introductions (No Direct Contact)

When introducing dogs, allow the pets to see each other through a secured gate. For example, one pet could be in a gated kitchen area while the other is on the other side of the gate in the living room.  If you are introducing cats, you can alternatively place the new cat in a carrier and have the resident cat out. Reward calm behavior with treats and praise!

Please note, some dogs may exhibit barrier aggression (when dogs display aggressive behaviors when separated from another dog by a fence). If either dog begins barking, lunging or snapping, remove them from the area calmly and do not attempt this step again. For this behavior, we would recommend speaking with a certified dog trainer to discuss this further.

If cats begin any hissing or swatting, end the session and try again later.

Supervised Meetings (Dog-to-Dog)

In a neutral area, or a carefully managed familiar area, allow the dogs to see each other while both are on leash. Keep the leashes loose and focus on positive reinforcement. Keep a distance, and walk a bit in the same direction without the dogs actually meeting. If either dog becomes tense, stiff, growls, or shows other signs of aggression fear, calmly separate them and try again later for a shorter period of time. If dogs are appearing calm and friendly, allow them to greet each other while remaining on leash.

Short, Supervised Interactions (Off-Leash/Direct)

Once both pets appear relaxed during visual and leashed introductions, you can begin short, closely supervised off-leash interactions in a safe area. Have treats ready to reward calm behavior and be prepared to separate them immediately if any tension arises! As a rule of thumb, it’s always best to leave on good terms. Pets are getting along and playing for a few minutes? Perfect, end it here on a positive note! Consider if just a few minutes later, one pet does something the other doesn’t like, an altercation occurs so you separate them. Now, the pets have ended on a negative note. Although you can never predict animal behavior, if play time has been going well for a little bit, end it there until the next time!

Increase Interaction Time Gradually

If the initial supervised interactions go well, slowly increase the amount of time your pets spend together. Continue to supervise closely, especially during the first few weeks or months. 

Ongoing Management and Patience 

Even after initial introductions seem successful, ongoing management is always important!

Never Leave Unsupervised Initially

Until you are absolutely confident that your pets are comfortable with each other, avoid leaving them alone together unsupervised. It can take weeks, even months for new pets to feel comfortable in their homes and for resident pets to accept the new pets (Loudoun County Animal Services).

Recognize and Respect Boundaries

Pay attention to your pets’ body language! If one pet is trying to get away or seems stressed, be sure to create space for them. It is never a good idea to force interactions. 

Seek Professional Help if Needed

If you encounter significant challenges or signs of aggression that do not improve with slow introduction, do not hesitate to seek out guidance from a certified professional dog trainer or a veterinary behaviorist. They can provide tailored advice for your specific situation.

Conclusion

Now remember, introducing a new pet takes time, patience and understanding! By following these guidelines, and working with animal professionals (if needed), you can help create a smooth transition for everyone in your household!