From Warren Eckstein - First Pet Psychology: How To Introduce A Second Pet To Your Pet
Oct-31-2012

How would you feel if one day someone suddenly appeared in your home and didn't leave? The stranger slept there (in either your own bed or a nice new one) and started eating your food (or a different kind of food that smelled and tasted even better than your own). What if the members of your family started making a big fuss over this newcomer and ignored you? You'd feel pretty badly, wouldn't you? In fact, there's a good possibility that you'd start resenting the newcomer. Well, that's often how an existing pet feels when a new pet suddenly appears on the scene!

The problems that may result from such an intrusion can range from depression on the existing pet's part, to occasional growling and hissing, to outright hostility replete with flying fur and bloodshed! In other cases, the original pet may become disobedient and even start having "accidents" in the house.

Regardless of whether the original pet (pet #1) is a dog and the new pet (pet #2) is a cat, or pet #1 is an adult cat and pet #2 is a kitten ... or a rabbit, or a bird ... there are steps you can take to ease the transition. By taking a little time before your new pet arrives, you'll be able to prevent the most common problems from arising.

BEFORE THE INTRODUCTION
1) Always take pet #1 and pet #2 to the vet for a check up. Be sure all their vaccinations are up to date.

2) If at all possible, familiarize pet #1 with the scent of the newcomer days or even weeks prior to pet #2's arrival. This can be accomplished by taking a towel to where the new pet is being kept (i.e. the breeder, the shelter) and gently rubbing the animal with it. Once the towel has the scent of pet #2, bring it home and leave it where pet #1 can examine it.

3) Play a recording of the types of sounds that will be made by the newcomer . You can record the sounds of a friend's talkative dog or vocal cat or purchase a sound effects record. Start out by playing it for pet #1 at a low volume, . gradually increasing the level over a period of days or weeks. Your goal is reach a full volume without any reaction from pet #1. This is particularly helpful if you are introducing pet #1 to a pet of another species.

4) If you are particularly concerned about your pet's reaction (i.e. possible jealousy or aggression) to the new arrival, bring home a stuffed animal that closely resembles your newcomer. Ideally it should carry the scent of pet #2 (see step 2). The point here is to simulate the new arrival as much as possible without overwhelming pet #1 with the real thing. If your pet shows any negative reactions to your "simulated" newcomer, it's important to turn the negative into a positive. Give your pet extra hugs, kisses, attention and even treats. Let your pet feel that whenever the "simulated" newcomer is around, good things happen - the idea is a positive association.

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Posted by Ken at 6:49 PM - Link to this entry  |  Share this entry  |  Print