Coming Home
Before bringing a pet home, remove any unsafe items from their living space. Dr. Karen Sheehan, clinical associate at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan, points to many common items that can be toxic to animals. “Things like chocolate, grapes/raisins, compost, cannabis and rodenticides and some flowers,” Sheehan says. “One of the most common plant toxicities is lily ingestion in cats—even the water in a lily vase can be toxic.”
It may take time for your pet to become accustomed to his or her new home. Anxiety can manifest itself in many ways, including poor appetite, tummy upset, lethargy, hiding and cowering, crying, lack of eye contact and stiff posture.
Some level of nervousness is normal, and an animal may need a quiet place to adjust for the first 24 hours, says Ottawa Valley dog whisperer Karen Rosenfeld, a holistic dog behaviourist. Puppies may find a spot to observe the household for a week or two before coming out of their shell. You can restrict your pet’s activity to one room to help with their transition.