Six steps to surviving the first night with a new puppy or kitten

It’s so exciting when your long-awaited puppy or kitty finally arrives, but the first few days in a new home is a huge adjustment for them and some adapt more easily than others. Here are a few useful tips:

Puppies

1.Find out if you can visit your new puppy before he comes home with you so that you aren’t a complete stranger to him. Ask if you can take home a blanket or toy that he likes home with you. Check vaccinations are up to date if possible: some rescues have no medical history.

2. Puppies get tired quickly so play with him as it will be much easier to go to bed if he’s sleepy. Play ball or take him outside for a walk to tire him out. Let him fall asleep on your lap and then put him in his basket. He may still cry for a few minutes, but if he’s really tired, he should lie down and fall asleep.
3. Give your pup his last meal about an hour before bedtime. Some puppies have no problem sleeping all night without going outside, but others will need to get up once or twice. If you limit the amount of food and water they get before bedtime, it will help them otherwise put some newspaper under his basket for any accidents.
4. This is your puppy’s first night away from the only home he knew so it’s a scary time. Put his basket in your room to make the adjustment easier on him as he will feel more secure knowing that you are nearby.
5. Studies have shown that music can soothe and calm a puppy at bedtime; a relaxing playlist can settle your puppy until he goes to sleep.
6. Remember, bringing home a new puppy is a lot of work, especially for the first few days and weeks. Spend time at home to help him adjust to his new environment and form your bond. If you develop a routine, bedtime will become a breeze. Patience, consistency and a whole lot of love are the keys to success.

Kittens

1. Before you fetch your new kitten, get a carrier ready. Take a blanket and some treats to make your kitten more comfortable. Place the carrier on the floor behind the passenger seat and don’t open the carrier in the car.
2. Once you get home, take the carrier to a quiet room. Open the door and give your kitten plenty of time to come out on its own. Sit patiently nearby, talk in a soothing tone, and don’t rush it. If your kitten hides when you open the carrier door, it’s normal. Give her time to come out and explore. She may run circles around the room right away, or it might take her a few hours to even venture out. Keep your kitten in a special room for at least the first 24 hours, and up to two weeks. This allows them to gradually get used to the smells and sounds of a new house. It’s especially important if you already have pets in the house.
3. Don’t introduce your kitten to other pets in the family for at least the first day. Rather let your pets smell each other’s bedding after a few hours and plan a gradual introduction.
4. Once your kitten comes out of its carrier, place them gently in the litter tray and redirect them there every hour. When your kitten uses the litterbox, don’t scoop right away. Instead, leave their first “offerings” to act as a marker. Kittens have a great sense of smell and an instinct for good hygiene—they just need to learn where to go.
5. The best thing to do is simply spend time near your kitten. When her body language shows she’s comfortable and curious, then try to pick her up. If you have young children, teach them to be calm around the kitten, and only let them pet or hold the kitten when they’re sitting down.
6. At bedtime, if the kitten room is your bedroom, you may end up with a kitten curled up against you in the night. Don’t worry about leaving them in their special room to sleep. Make a soft bed with a blanket, turn off the light, and close the door. Set an alarm to check halfway through the night. In the morning, visit your kitten in her room, refresh food and water bowls and scoop the litter box.

* Source: rover.com