Adding a new addition to the family is exciting. Whether the new addition is another human or furry animal, it’s essential to prepare everyone in the household. Preparing pets and family for a new addition should always start in advance. Knowing a new addition is coming can set the right mentality and have everyone preparing and understanding expectations when the time comes. Whether you’re adding a pet to the family or getting pets ready for a baby, it’s essential to have a plan. Here are some tips to follow when handling a new addition.
Finding the Right Pet
It’s essential to make sure you have found the right pet before bringing them home. Your new pet does not only need to fit you; they also need to fit your family. Your family’s lifestyle should be taken into consideration when choosing a pet. The number of people living at home and their ages should also be considered. Some pets may not do well with young children or households with many people. When adopting or fostering a pet, be sure always to follow the facility and shelter’s adoption or fostering process. They know their pets best and have a better idea of a suitable match for you. Remember that these babies grow up if you’re getting a new puppy or kitten. Be sure to do your research to find out precisely what you’ll be signing up for.
Preparing Your Home
Once you have found your perfect new addition, it’s time to make your home a welcoming place. Before bringing your new pet home, it’s crucial to have all the necessities ready. Things like water bowls, feeding dishes, toys, beds, and even some pet food needs to be ready to use. Having these items before your pet comes home will allow you to focus your attention on welcoming them when you walk through the door of their new forever home. Instead of worrying about where your pet will sleep or what they’ll eat, you can start getting to know your pet and learning about each other’s behaviors and personalities.
If you’re welcoming a young kitten or puppy, be sure to have bathroom pads ready for accidents. It may also be a good idea to invest in a gate and puppy/kitten-proof your home so that your new furry friend does not get into any trouble.
Preparing Your Kids
To prepare your kids ahead of time, have your kids practice getting used to the chores involved with owning a dog or cat. Make this a fun time for the child so that they are eager to learn. Demonstrate how to put pets bowls down and have the child go through the motions. Pretend to feed them and replace their water each day. Use a stuffed animal to teach the child how to pet and interact with the new pet. Set all the same rules for the stuffed animal that will be expected of the pet. Place these pets in inappropriate positions (because puppies will break the rules) and show your child how to respond. Remember to practice how to correct the behavior without screaming or being too rough.
Preparing Introductions
Whether you’re preparing your kids for a new pet or preparing your pet for a new baby, you must remember to keep introductions slow and supervised. When introducing your new pet to kids, supervise the event. Before the introduction, you must explain the appropriate behavior and handling of pets. They must know how to approach their new pet as too much excitement, or grabbing can make the animal uncomfortable. Be sure to keep an eye out on the pet’s response to your children. It may be a good idea to begin introductions with a leash or have a one on one introduction with each family member if you would like to have more control in the situation.
Introducing Your Pet
When preparing your pet for a new baby, be sure to supervise the interaction. Your dog or cat will be excited for their new little sibling, but they can forget themselves and may get unintentionally rowdy with their excitement. You can keep your pet on a leash if you wish to have more control over them. In time, with consistent and continuous exposure, your pet will become accustomed to seeing their new sibling. Soon enough, your pet and the new baby will make an adorable and inseparable pair.
Preparing pets and family for a new addition can be as exciting as nerve-racking. With consistency, your new family members will be getting along in no time and making lifelong memories together. At Luv My Sitter, we treat all the pets we sit like family. If you need a professional pet sitter for the holidays, be sure to contact us! Luv My Sitter wishes you and your fur babies a happy and healthy holiday season!