Expanding Your Fur Family

The unconditional love we give and receive from our pets warms our hearts. We give in to puppy eyes no matter our dog’s age and shower our cats in affirmations every time we see them. If expanding your fur family has been on your mind, here are a few tips to help make this exciting transition as smooth as possible!

Adding Another Pup

There’s nothing better than spending time with your pup, whether it’s a walk around the neighborhood or playing tug-of-war with them on the floor. Every moment is the best! With all this love in your heart, it’s easy to see why you’re adding another dog to your family.

While this is an exciting time for you, make sure it is for your current dog too. Consider their personality and how they might interact with a fur brother or sister. Are they mellow and independent? Or do they like to play and be with others? These qualities are important to think about. The age and maturity of your first fur child is also relevant. It is best to have your first pup fully trained before getting a second. This allows for an age gap between your fur babies of about one to two years, which is an ideal minimum gap. Otherwise, your dogs may show more loyalty and share a stronger bond for one another, which may lead to them not listening to you.

When the time comes for your fur babies to meet for the first time, it helps to introduce siblings in a neutral spot. This encourages your first dog to be more open and less inclined to protect their territory. Let them sniff each other’s behinds and get to know one another! If they do not take a liking to one another right away, don’t worry. It can take time to adjust to a new furry family member. You will learn lots about their personalities during this time, how fun!

When you finally get to take both of you fur babies home, remember to be extra patient and loving. One pup will be adjusting to their new home, while the other is adjusting to their new sibling. To keep the peace, it can be helpful to place their food and water bowls in different locations of the house. This allows them to protect their own meals and have their own space. No need to get aggressive, there’s enough kibble to go around!

Adding Another Feline Friend

We know you can’t get enough of your cat’s snuggles and sweet purrs! Adding another kitty to the family will certainly grow the love in your heart. Before you do, there are a few things to keep in mind.

Cats can be very independent and also extremely loving. Similar to dogs, think about your first cat’s personality. PetMD recommends matching the energy levels of your cats when adding to the family. Is you first kitty frisky and playful? A new kitten may fit right in.  

Socializing your cat may take time, but a little patience can be very rewarding. When first starting out, keep your cats in their own rooms with their own food, water, and toys. This will help your new addition get acclimated to their new home. And you can begin to grow your bond with your pet and help them come out of their shell.

Before introducing your cats, allow them to get to know one another’s scent by sharing their toys. It is crucial for your new kitty to be comfortable in their new environment, including all the new smells and family members. It can be an intimidating adjustment for nervous pets such as cats. While keeping your first pet away, allow your new pet to gradually experience the rest of your home. While exploring, your new cat will get used to your first cat’s territory and will be ready to meet them.

When the time comes for your cat kids to meet one another, keep your first cat in a mesh carrier so your new cat can introduce themselves with a barrier in place. As you sense your cat’s confidence growing, you can ease the kitties into normal everyday living. It may be a slow process but it’s worth it to become one big happy fur family!

Becoming Pet Parents to a Dog and a Cat

If you are both a dog person and a cat person, why not be a home for both? You can have it all! Not to mention, introducing these two might be easier than you might think.

Like adding another pet of the same species, when adding a cat or dog to a household with the opposite pet do your best to match personalities. A senior dog and a playful kitten may be a difficult combination. According to the American Kennel Club, certain breeds of dogs get along better with feline friends. These dogs include beagles, labrador retrievers, and pugs.

When you finally find the perfect new addition, begin by keeping each pet in their own space to allow them to get comfortable. Next, give your new pet the opportunity to explore the home and get to know their new furry sibling’s scent. Once they recognize one another’s scent, they are on their way to a positive first meeting.

Teaching your pets basic commands and rules will make the initial introduction much smoother. Also, as their owner, remain calm and give positive reinforcement. During the first few meetings, use a baby gate or other barrier to create a visual introduction. Next, allow them to meet in a neutral spot in your home. Start small with just a few minutes per day and gradually increase the time spent with one another. Have treats for each pet on hand and reward them for staying calm and being friendly. Before you know it, your fur babies will be best friends!

No matter how big your fur family, Bivvy will support all cats and dogs no matter their age, size, or breed. Not to mention we have a streamlined sign-up process and pet parent portal to help animal lovers like you organize all of their furry friends’ policies. To learn more about affordable pet insurance, check out our website: https://bivvy.com/why-bivvy