Introducing a new pet to your family is an exciting journey. Whilst some pets get along easily, for others it can take a little longer.
Socialisation is a highly important part of any pet's training. But introducing a senior dog or cat to a new puppy or kitten can be a daunting task for any pet owner.
With summer being the second most popular time for pet adoptions, many households are about to face the exciting – but often challenging – experience of introducing a new furry family member.
A new survey of 1,000 pet owners, carried out by pet insurance company PetPlan, found 28% of pet owners were motivated to get another pet to alleviate their current pet’s loneliness. But one in three (31%) owners believe their furry friend is jealous of their new pet.
A further 24% said they underestimated how difficult it would be to help their pets bond, and 28% said the transition period in socialising their pets took some getting used to.
Emotional changes in pets, such as withdrawal or territorial behaviour, raised concerns for 29% of owners. Additionally, some pet owners found it difficult to balance their attention between multiple pets, with 22% struggling to give both pets equal care and affection.
Pet expert and dog behaviourist, Nick Jones, said: “Introducing a new pet to your family is an exciting journey. While some pets get along easily, for others it can take a little longer. Scent-swapping is a great first step and can help ease initial pet anxieties.
“For dog-to-dog introductions, starting in a neutral space like a park allows for a more relaxed meeting. Let the dogs observe each other from a distance on the lead before allowing direct interaction. Petplan and Dogs Trust also have further advice about the positive and negative signs of dog socialisation to look out for.
“Cat introductions benefit from initial distance at first to let them see and smell each other safely before meeting. As cats like their own space, it’s important to slowly introduce your cats to each other.
“When introducing a dog and a cat, keeping the dog on a lead and giving the cat the freedom to approach or retreat can prevent stress for both animals.
“Allow pets to set the pace and socialise in their own time, ensure they have separate feeding and resting spaces, and provide plenty of positive reassurance along the way. By following these steps, pet owners can help their pets bond, making the family home a happy environment.”
Motivations for getting another pet
While 41% of survey respondents had always wanted a second pet, others hoped that a new furry friend would make their first pet happier. 28% of pet owners felt that another pet would ease their pet’s loneliness, while 25% believed their pets would enjoy the social interaction with another animal.
Most common issues when introducing new pets
Over one in three (31%) pet owners said their existing pet showed jealousy toward them. Emotional changes in pets, such as withdrawal or territorial behaviour, were also concerns for 29% of owners. And 22% of owners found it difficult to balance their attention between multiple pets.
Despite these difficulties, 14% of owners said they experienced no major challenges when socialising their pets.
What pet owners wish they knew beforehand
Petplan also asked pet owners what they wish they had known before bringing a new pet into their home. 31% of respondents wished they considered the additional cost of having a new pet– including the added cost of pet insurance, pet food and vet bills etc.
Another 28% said the transition period in socialising their pets took some getting used to. Despite some of these concerns, an encouraging 25% noted how rewarding it was to get another pet and to watch them bond.
