112 LONGISLANDPRESS.COM • SEPTEMBER 2018 sponsored
NEW ADOPTIONS
WELCOMING FURRY FRIENDS
By ALLISON MATOS
As many pet owners know,
adopting a new cat or dog can
be exciting and rewarding,
but adding another can be
stressful.
Nora Bevilacqua, manager
of behavior and training at
Bideawee, says that verbal and
physical feedback are important
during introductions.
“The human voice is a great
asset when it comes to animals.
It can help break up tension
that is arising and reward any good
behavior that is occurring,” she says.
“If the dogs or cats are behaving appropriately,
reward them with a ‘Yay,
good boy/girl’ and soft petting. If the
tension is rising, you can break that
up with a simple ‘Hey, knock that off’
and separate them briefly.
“It’s very important never to yell
at your pets,” she adds. “Aggression
plus aggression could create more
aggression.”
If you’re thinking about bringing
home a new friend and already have a
furry family member, here are some
tips to make the merger easier.
THINK ABOUT DYNAMICS
Has your pet been around another
animal? For adopted kittens and
puppies, oftentimes the answer is
no. Not taking this into account can
lead to animal depression, acting out,
running away, and sometimes, illness.
Most shelters/rescuers
prefer, and ofen require, a
meet-and-greet between your
current pet and potential
new one.
TAKE IT SLOW
Some experts suggest
letting cats sniff each other
through closed doors for a
week before allowing them to
meet. After that, monitor behavior
when they’re together, adjusting
play/inclusion time accordingly. For
dogs, allow ample time for the new
pooch to sniff and roam your house
while the current dog is away, and
vice versa. If they seem calm, let them
meet in a park with their leashes on.
If it goes well, let the dogs sniff each
other. Walk them home with your
existing dog leading the way; let your
existing dog enter the house first to
invite the new dog in.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
What one pet gets, the other should
too. Don’t let pets share treats or food
to avoid fighting. Dogs should be fed at
the same time and have the same opportunities,
such as sleeping locations,
toys, walks, etc. Cats should each have
their own litter boxes. And don’t forget
about giving equal attention. Favoring
a new pet will distress the current pet.
KEEP CALM
Furry friendships do not develop
immediately. Before adopting a pet,
remember that it takes time for animals
to become friends, and in some
cases, it may never happen. It’s best
to stay calm, expect challenges, and
not get discouraged if things aren’t
peachy right away. With patience
and commitment, families will
thrive.
PRESS PETS
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