Introducing a New Pet to Your Other Pets

Do your pet a favor and choose a pet that has a personality that you know will compliment that of your existing pet. When you already have a pet and want to add to the family, it can sometime be difficult to maintain a happy relationship between your old and new pet. Older pets can be more difficult because they seem to not want to be bothered by any change such as this and an older dog will often snap at a new puppy, or an older cat will claw at or attack a new kitten. These tips will help you prepare and adjust your pet during this time.

The introduction should be made gradually so that neither of the animals feels too threatened by the encounter. Try feeding the older pet and bringing the new pet into the room slowly while watching the reaction of your older pet. You should allow a first face to face encounter but be careful not to get bitten or clawed by being in the middle. Pet, play with, and feed both animals just as much the same and try not to show any favoritism so that jealousy does not arise. If the older animal does not accept the new pet to the point of playing with it and forming a friendship of their own, at least they will grow to tolerate living with it if you are stern with your rules and behavior control.

Sometimes it can be very easy to tell that your pet is ready for animal companionship; they will play around with neighbor animals or even bark or meow at other animals they see outside. There are signs that your pet is friendly to other animals - you are their owner and their best judge of character. There are also signs that you should be extremely careful when introducing any animal to your pet. Some pets are very aggressive and do not like other animals, but choose to only be around people. These aggressive animals should be valuated very carefully in a family having young children. Often times, animals that will not tolerate other animals will not tolerate children for very long, if at all. If you have children, a young animals is the best and safest choice for your family's sake. The animals will grown up as a member of your family and you will be able to teach it proper accepted behavior - what is tolerated and what is not.

Always take the new pet from the room and confine it to a specific room or kennel when you have to leave or are not able to keep an eye on them. Your new puppy or kitten should not be left alone with the older pet under any circumstance until you know there is no aggression from either party. A moment of carelessness can result in a serious wound or worse. Don't play roulette with your pet's life.