A little one is coming home
Exciting, right? A new home is confusing for a young pet at first. If everything is ready and you know what the first week looks like, they settle faster and you stay calm too.
What to have ready
1. A soft bed in a quiet corner
Somewhere people don't walk past all day, so they have a place to rest or hide.
2. Food and water bowls
Separate bowls, washed daily, with fresh water always available.
3. The food they already eat
Ask what they're used to and keep it the same at first. If you switch, mix it in gradually.
4. A litter tray for kittens
Away from the food bowls, somewhere easy to reach.
5. Toys and a scratching post
They burn energy on these instead of your furniture.
6. A collar with an ID tag
From day one. Young pets don't know their new home yet, so a tag lets anyone who finds them call you.
What to do in the first week
- Keep them in one room for a day or two, then let them explore.
- Visit a vet for a check-up, deworming and a vaccine plan. Pettagu's vaccine schedule tool gives you a rough idea first.
- Start a health record on day one: arrival date, weight and any vaccines already given.
- Keep meals, play and sleep at the same times each day so they feel safe.
Sources
- AAHA Canine Life Stage Guidelines (2019)
- AAHA/AAFP Feline Life Stage Guidelines (2021)
This article is general information. If your pet seems unwell or you're unsure, talk to a veterinarian.
