Welcoming a new dog or cat into your home is exciting. That furry friend is about to become part of your family and a treasured companion. Before you bring them home, there are a few things you should do to make sure you are prepared for your new life together.

Before Bringing Pet home

Pet proof your home
Dogs and cats enjoy discovering new environments in a variety of ways—smelling, chewing, eating, jumping and scratching. As a pet parent, it is your responsibility to make sure items like chemicals, cleaning agents, clothes and shoes are out of reach for your new friend. Keep your countertops and floors clear, cabinets locked and electrical cords and wires out of sight. Don’t forget to make sure potentially harmful foods (e.g. chocolate, grapes and raisins) are out of reach and inspect inside and outside your home for plants that may be considered toxic to pets.

Choose a quality diet
Not all pet foods are alike. Our pet foods are produced with only the highest quality, all-natural, wholesome ingredients, providing your pet with holistic benefits beyond complete and balanced nutrition. Select the best food based on your pet’s specific needs, life stage and lifestyle. You can take our “What’s Your Nutram Number Quiz” to find out which of our recipes is the best fit for your pet.

Must Have Items

Before bringing your new pet home, ensure you have all of the necessary items, so you aren’t scrambling to get things that you may have forgotten. Below is a checklist of items you should have ready:

Cats and dogs:

• Pet food
• Food and water bowls. Stainless steel collects less bacteria over time than plastic
• Collar and proper identification
• Treats. Experiment with a few different treats and stick with the one that has the highest value to your pet, the one they will do anything for. Be careful with rawhide as it can be torn into pieces and swallowed in large chunks, leading to choking or intestinal blockages.
• Appropriately sized crate for comfort and security
• Toys. Free of buttons, strings and anything that can be bitten off and swallowed. For dogs, stick with rubber balls made for dogs, nylon bones and non-toxic stuffed toys. For cats, feather wands, laser light devices, catnip stuffed mouse and old boxes are popular options.
• Blankets/bed
• Alcohol free enzyme cleaner. Used to clean up accidents that eliminates odors only your dog can smell.

Dog specific:

• Leash
• Wire playpen and/or baby gates.

Cat specific:

• Litter boxes
• Scratching post

Basic Training

Training should begin from day one. Consistent training sessions that are short and positive are they key to success.

The first piece of training for most pet owners, which should start immediately, is to housetrain their pet. For dogs, take them on a very short walk and when they relieve themselves outside say a command word, followed by praise and a reward. Repeat this process and your dog will soon associate the action and the command. For cats, introduce them to their litterbox right away.

Crate train early to establish a comfortable space where your pet can go. Guide your pet into the crate with treats and if they stay in for a bit give another treat. After a while, they will see their crate as a personal space and go there willingly if you ask.

Be consistent in your language, commands and the rules. By responding consistently to your pet’s actions, they will catch on to good and bad behaviours.

Set yourself up as a leader by asking for good behaviour when doing simple things like going outside or setting down your pet’s food.

Be patient and resist the urge to scold for bad behaviour. Reward behaviour you like.

To avoid the development of separation anxiety, leave your pet alone with a safe pet-friendly toy for a few minutes each day, gradually increasing their alone time.

Routine

Consistency is key, especially in the early days. Create a pet-friendly schedule and regular routine as soon as you introduce your pet to their new home. This should include specific feeding times, exercise and playtime, and bathroom breaks. Over time your pet should become more flexible when it comes to the schedule/routine and deviations shouldn’t cause anxiety.

Finally, and most importantly, when bringing home a new pet, enjoy this special time together and appreciate the growing bond you’re creating with your new furry family member.