THREE TIPS FOR NEW PET PARENTS
Adopting a new pet is fun, but can quickly become frustrating for you and your new furry friend if your home isn’t ready.
Angel Cox, chief executive officer of the Spartanburg Humane Society, emphasizes the importance of preparation and understanding your lifestyle and your new pet’s needs when planning to adopt.
“I think respect and value are two tremendous words,” Cox said. “You want to make sure that everybody in the house values this new pet and values what you have to give to it and that you know that you’re integrating someone into a home just like if it were a roommate.”
Here are three tips to make their transition to your home easier:
Create space for your new pet to adjust
Cox suggests setting up a room for your new pet to acclimate in during their first days in your home. A crate for dogs or a cat house can help provide secure spots for sleeping or observing in other parts of your home.
Don’t be surprised if your pet hangs back or even hides during its first days in your home, Cox advised.
“This is a brand new place with brand new smells, brand new noises, brand new people. They have to feel safe,” Cox said.
Be sure to set up a space for the pet to eat away from other animals and humans.
“We actually recommend that you feed them in their crate at the beginning,” Cox said. “Don’t let people come around. Don’t let other animals come around, feed them in their crate so that they do feel safe.”
Protect your home decor and garden
If you have invested time and money in your home decor or landscaping, plan ways to protect it from curious claws and energetic diggers.
“There are different things, especially for cats,” Cox said. “They do make a little sleeve that goes over the nail. You can go to almost any groomer and get them done or you can go to Petco and PetSmart and buy them. We also recommend, especially if you have a kitten, start trimming those nails from day one, make it part of the bonding process.”
Landscape fencing and underground fences around landscaped areas can help deter digging by new dogs; while furniture covers can save your furniture from claw marks and pet hair.
Having treats and toys at the ready to help keep them entertained can also help prevent boredom-based destruction.
Be ready to experiment
It may take a little while to figure out your new pet’s preferences and personality.
Cats, Cox said, can be particularly finicky when it comes to litter and food.
“Sometimes cats take a couple of times finding out what kind of litter to use, and sometimes cats take a lot of times figuring out what kind of food to buy,” Cox said.
“So you have to be a little bit patient, but they are very easy pets to integrate into your home.”
And, just like people, some animals are more shy than others. Don’t force your new pet to socialize if they show signs of discomfort and plan to leave all pets out of large gatherings and loud ones, like Fourth of July parties with fireworks.
“Don’t take your animals to something like that. They don’t want to be with you,” Cox said.
Samantha Swann covers city news, development and culture in Spartanburg. She is a University of South Carolina Upstate and Greenville Technical College alumna. Contact her at sswann@shj.com or on Instagram at @sam_on_spartanburg.