How to Introduce a New Pet to Your Home
The Tum & Tin Approach to New Beginnings
When Tum first met Tin, he didn't rush in. He waited three weeks outside her door. The lesson? Patience is everything when introducing a new pet.
Bringing Home a New Dog
Keep things calm. Let them explore one room at a time. Have their bed, bowls, and toys set up before arrival. Establish a routine immediately — dogs thrive on predictability.
Bringing Home a New Cat
Set up a "base camp" — one room with everything they need (litter box, food, water, bed, scratching post). Let them adjust for 3-7 days before opening up the rest of the house. Cats need to own their space before exploring new territory.
Introducing Dogs to Cats
- Week 1: Separate rooms. Let them smell each other under the door
- Week 2: Swap bedding so they get used to each other's scent
- Week 3: Visual introduction through a baby gate. Keep the dog on a leash
- Week 4: Supervised face-to-face meetings. Short sessions, lots of treats
Golden rule: Never force it. If either pet shows stress, slow down. Tum waited three weeks — your pets might need the same patience.
Signs of Successful Introduction
Parallel relaxation (both sleeping in the same room), play invitations, sharing space without tension. It might take days, weeks, or months — and that's perfectly normal.
Love has no breed, no timeline, and no rulebook. Just patience.