Bringing a new pet home is an incredible experience. They add so much to our daily lives and teach us so much about living in the present and enjoying life to its fullest. They also help us teach our children about compassion, patience and responsibility. In fact, living with pets has been associated with healthy living and overall greater enjoyment of life. Australians have among the highest rates of pet ownership around the world, with more than 2 million homes owning more than one type of pet. In fact, approximately 38% of Australian households have dogs and 29% of homes have cats (AMA, 2016).
However, bringing a new pet home needs careful consideration – after all, the quality of life of our pets is vitally dependent on how well and compassionately we care for them. The RSPCA highlights the importance of not only caring for your pet’s obvious needs like food, exercise, housing, grooming and veterinary or preventative health, but also emphasises how vital meeting their psychological, behavioural and social needs are.
Before you commit to your new pet, here are some things to consider:
- Is everyone in the household ready?
It’s important everyone is eager to add a new member to the family before you take the leap. Dogs and cats can live for over a decade, and some birds or reptiles longer still – that’s a long time to live with an animal whose care and wellbeing is partly or wholly your responsibility. - Why are you thinking about it?
Often, pet owners purchase a second pet in order to keep their first pet company. This can be a wonderful source of social interaction and comfort for your first pet, but equally can result in double the effort and resources for the owner. Animals are often social learners, so while it is possible that the well-trained first pet can teach the new one the ropes, the reverse is equally true. And if your first pet doesn’t have great manners to start with the chances of having double the trouble are high. Your pet does not need a pet – purchase a second pet when you are ready. - What type of pet will suit you the best?
Investigate all the options. Do your research on the care, and mental and physical welfare requirements for a variety of pets (including different breeds/ species). Are you a busy family? Do you have the time and resources to provide for each of your pets’ physical, mental and social well-being? Pets bring so much into our lives with their unconditional love and loyalty, but can you give them the time and enrichment they deserve individually too? Are you aware of any potential health issues to prevent or manage for the pet you choose? If you’re unsure, chat to a qualified trainer or vet about which pet might suit you best. You can find a list of qualified trainers in Adelaide here: https://www.rspcasa.org.au/the-issues/force-free-dog-trainers/.
Bringing a new pet into your home is exciting. But please bear in mind that it can be quite a culture shock for the pet to be moved from their existing home (potentially all they’ve known) into a new social situation with new rules and expectations. Be patient as they adapt. Here are few things you can do to help them acclimatise:
- Does the family agree on the house rules?
What are the expectations around feeding from the table, access to bedrooms, beds or couches? Where will you leave the pet when you’re out of the house? Walking, feeding, cleaning up and training responsibilities? Your house rules need to suit you, your family and your pet first and foremost. If you want the dog on the couch that’s great, just make sure you teach them to get off when you ask. Don’t mind feeding them from the table – all good! Just feed when they’re as settled as possible, and not looking at you or begging for scraps. Avoid getting a social animal if you don’t want them inside the house and a part of the family. Social animals rarely thrive as outside or isolated pets. For instance - unless you spend all of your time at home outside with your dog, they will benefit greatly from being allowed inside (even if it’s restricted access to parts of the house and under supervision). All pets will learn best and most efficiently through consistency and routine, so making sure the family is on the same page is essential to a smooth transition for your pet. - Is the house or their area pet-friendly and safe?
You’ll need to dog/cat/bird/ferret/rabbit proof your house, just like you would baby proof it – invest in pens, baby gates or crates, pet-friendly cleaning products and ensure electrical wires, bins and valuable items are out of reach. Should they remain in mostly carpet or tiled areas – small pets (rabbits, ferrets, etc.) can make a big mess and be destructive too. Please ensure each of your pets have their own safe space to escape to (from children or each other) if they need. Do your research on your backyard plants and fertilisers – many can be poisonous to pets (and they might differ per pet). Can they dig under your fence or jump over it? Solid, high fences are most appropriate for ensuring dogs are safe in your backyard. Cats can also be kept safe (and very happy) with outdoor cat runs or oscillot-style fencing systems to prevent them from exploring the neighbourhood after dark and potentially getting into fights or crossing busy roads. Find out more about keeping cats safe and happy indoors in our Animal Management Kit - Have you done your research?
Just like all professions, some vets, trainers, groomers, pet-sitters or other animal care professionals are better than others. Have you chosen yours? Call a few and make a decision based on the connection you made over the phone, as well as their fees and availability and, most importantly, their attitude toward caring for your animal. Good pet industry professionals are often busy and need to be booked perhaps weeks in advance. Do you know how to read your pet? Do some research on what their body language means and how to tell whether they’re comfortable in different circumstances. You may find they’re not too happy with pats on the head, but love scratches on the chest – knowing how to read them will help you ensure they feel safe and comfortable as they learn more about their new home and life. - Do you have everything ready?
Different pets will need different home area set ups, equipment, food and enrichment products to ensure they thrive with you. Ensure the equipment you purchase for your pet is humane and follows the recommendations by the RSPCA SA Lead By Example campaign. Food and water bowls, bedding, toilet areas, play pens, toys, food, shampoos, nail clippers, brushes and scratch posts can be purchased from pet stores. Good pet stores also provide a variety of enrichment toys and products for dogs, cats, and sometimes birds, but other options specific for any pet can be found in places like: http://www.petsneedalifetoo.com/products/index.php.
Your vet can provide you with recommendations on food, enrichment, and preventative medical care like vaccinations and regular treatments for worms or fleas. Do you know what you’ll feed them? How will you transition them to the new food? Have you booked in their first health check or for dogs, booked in for puppy pre school? Puppy school is specifically for unvaccinated puppies 8-12-16 weeks of age. Many qualified trainers offer in home consultations prior to your pet arriving to help brainstorm the house rules, set up and transition process, or they can help with a smooth transition once the pet has arrived. Legally, you will also need to register your new dog with council (www.dogsandcatsonline.com.au) within 2 weeks of getting them, or by 3 months of age. Dogs and cats must also be microchipped, and must be desexed by 6 months of age if born after 1 July 2018. - Can you ease the transition?
Are you able to spend ample time with the pet in their original home before bringing them to yours? Sometimes this isn’t possible, but it’s always worth asking the question. Any extra visits you can do while they’re in their original home (even just an hour at a time, for a few visits) before you bring them home can really help – you are then no longer a stranger, but someone they’ve met before and enjoyed spending time with. Can you take something of their original home with you? Again old smells may help them feel more comfortable in a new environment – literally a security blanket. For cats and dogs, pheromones may also help. These are specifies-specific, synthetically created smells that help dogs and cats feel safe and calmer that mimic those given off by their mums. There are no known negative side effects, and they might really help. You can purchase Adaptil for dogs or Feliway for cats from most good pet stores or vets. - How will you build your relationship with them?
Training using positive reinforcement (using toys, treats or social interaction as rewards for nice behaviour) is one of the best ways to build a trusting and lasting relationship with your new pet. Not only does it give them valuable information about the behaviours that will work well for them in their new home, but also help them associate you with good things. Training animals to go to a place (pen or aviary, or a specific place within those like a bed or perch) is a great first step that can help you manage your pet around the home. Similarly, teaching them to come to you (or to choose to step up onto your hand) are equally invaluable. Reinforce them with parts of their breakfast/ dinner as often as possible for performing these behaviours, even if they’re not perfect to begin with.
Bringing a new pet into your home is a big deal. Taking time to consider the above carefully will help make the transition from original home to yours as easy and simple as possible and give you a great foundation to start your new adventures together on the right foot.