How to Help Your New Pet Feel at Home
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Version 0 of 1. Bringing home a new pet is a big event for both a new pet owner, and the pet. Making sure you’re prepared in advance can make the change easier on everyone, and that includes buying the right gear, and reading up on what a new pet needs. Wirecutter has plenty of advice on where to start with a new cat or new dog, and Kaitlyn Wells, Wirecutter staff writer and pets expert, has tested dozens of toys, tools, and accessories with the help of her 9-year-old cat and 1-year-old dog. Wells has spoken with veterinarians, trainers, and animal behaviorists in her quest to find the best pet gear. Here are some of her best tips, and gear suggestions. The first thing to know when you get a pet home is that its new surroundings will likely be a shock. To create some sense of familiarity from the outset, ask the previous caretakers (if you can, and if they know) what the pet is accustomed to and try to replicate that in your home. For cats, that may mean choosing the right kitty litter: Shelters tend to offer both clay-based and biodegradable, plant-based litter, and many cats show a preference. Also start with a litter box that’s a similar shape and style to the one they’re used to — experimenting with nontraditional designs or self-cleaning options can come later. Dogs aren’t so picky about their waste management (any bag will do — although our human testers appreciated the thickness and value of AmazonBasics dog waste bags), but a familiar toy can make a big difference. Additionally, dogs need a safe space to call their own. That can come in the form of a cozy dog bed, but you should also consider a quality dog crate. Professional trainer Tyler Muto told us that even though dog trainers disagree on almost everything, most say a crate is essential for any owner. For dogs, a crate provides a familiar and protected space to retreat to; for owners, it helps enforce sleep and bathroom schedules, and keeps dogs and children separated when necessary. Cats and dogs will eat and drink out of any container when hungry or thirsty, but pet-specific vessels encourage healthier habits by leaving space for their whiskers. Your pet’s whiskers are sensory organs, and overstimulating them is not only distracting, but can induce “whisker fatigue,” which, like strong smells for humans, can make animals less likely to eat and drink. We recommend Petfusion’s shallow, pie-tin-like bowls for cats, and PetMates’s stable, broad-based bowls for dogs. The containers are stainless steel and dishwasher-safe, and their smooth, scratch-resistant surfaces are easy to clean. All dogs need walking (and maybe some cats do, too?) and that requires a solid leash. But before you run out and buy one, know that your pet’s collar isn’t an ideal attachment spot. After all, if your dog lunges, or you have to stop them quickly, you risk damaging their trachea. That’s why every veterinarian we interviewed recommended using a chest harness instead. Not only are harnesses safer, they offer more control and are harder to slip out of. For cats, you’ll need a soft-sided pet carrier to get them home and for trips to the vet. Our favorite, the Sherpa Original Deluxe, comes in three sizes. The largest is suitable for cats and dogs up to about 22 pounds, and the small and medium are guaranteed to be accepted as carry-on luggage by many airlines. When traveling by car, you can tuck a carrier safely into the footwell of the rear seat. For dogs too large to fit in a carrier, consider using a travel harness. We recommend the SleepyPod, which carries a five-star crash rating from the Center for Pet Safety. It attaches to a seatbelt to secure dogs as large as 90 pounds. Get your pet chipped. Implanted under the skin (a simple procedure that any vet can perform), pet microchips include your name and other identifying information and, unlike collar tags, can’t fall off or be easily removed. They make it far easier to reunite a lost or stolen pet with its owner. Ms. Wells also recommends pet insurance. “It won’t cover those booster shots all puppies and kittens have to get, but it will work for unexpected expenses from accident or illness,” she explained. We examined multiple pet insurance plans and got more than 100 quotes, and after studying them all, we recommend Trupanion: The broad coverage and unlimited benefits provide a true safety net in case your pet faces a serious accident or illness, including chronic, lifelong conditions. Cats aren’t picky when it comes to toys. But the Veterinary Centers of America recommends toys that mimic prey behavior, with rapid, unpredictable movements, or high-pitched sound, if you can bear it. “For my cat Tanzie, nothing beats a feather toy on the end of a pole,” Ms. Wells said. “It dances like a real bird in the air. It’s great for keeping her active, and I know her imagination is going wild when she makes those little kitty chirping sounds while hunting.” For puppies, in particular, the American Kennel Club recommends scheduled play sessions not only as bonding time, but as a crucial part of establishing a sleeping routine. Although preferences vary from dog to dog, we have a list of toys that have worked well for our own beloved dogs. Ms. Wells particularly enjoys Hear Doggy’s “silent” squeakers, which emit ultrasonic sounds humans can’t hear. She noted that her dog “gets just as excited when squeaking this thing as she does her traditional squeakers — fun times for her and a lifesaver for my ears.” |