As of last Sunday we have a new addition to our household, a lovely tabby rescue cat called Caspian (you can see him in this week’s video). Today I’m sharing some tips from my journey in choosing my new friend and integrating him into my household.
Only you know when the time is right.
I knew very quickly after having my Elvie cat put to sleep last month (see my last post) that I would get another cat friend. I already have two other fine feline friends (Leo who is 14 and likes peace and quiet these days and Baby, a one year old live wire of a kitten). Mr. Elvie was my chilled out purry knee cat and he left a space and emptiness once he was gone. I did miss his cuddles (although Baby did start sitting on my knee more) and I knew that Baby missed her playmate.
Tip: Go with timing that feels right for you. If if feels too soon or not the best time for a new pet, then wait until it feels right. Don’t be persuaded by others to get a new pet too soon. On the other hand if a pet has died and you know quickly you want another and feel ready to have one then honor that knowing without worrying if it’s ‘too soon’.
Why are you getting that pet?
In the middle of this month I attended a 3 part teleseries (see details below) about choosing a new pet. It helped me look at my preconceptions about what having a pet meant to me and helped me get clear about the qualities I wanted in a pet and why I wanted a new animal in my life and what role it would have.
Tip: Ask yourself why you want that animal and what qualities you want the pet to have.
I was very conscious of not wanting to replace Elvie and I wanted to invite a new dynamic. With that in mind, the unfolding of this journey really surprised me.
I didn’t stipulate what it would look like, what sex it would be, or what age. I did stipulate that it was to get on ok with my other animals and be friendly.
I felt that a gentle, purry relaxed cat would fit the bill for all of us here (I did also actively ‘ask’ the other cats and Sally the dog, what qualities they would like from a cat …. and whether they’d like one at all). We put our request out to the Universe and sat back.
Does your heart or head decide?
I have to laugh here because I had decided that I wanted quite a different cat to Elvie, as I said, a new dynamic. That was my head talking. Well, my heart was obviously telling a different story because whilst browsing online, looking at cats in rescue centres, I saw Caspian’s photo. He was a tabby, as Elvie was and he was a big gentle purrer, just like Elvie too. I immediately discounted him, as being TOO similar to Elvie. So, I kept looking. Yet, as the days passed, I found myself thinking about him again and again, that big purry fella without a proper home … and me desiring a big purry fella. So, I checked in with his energy, mine and my animals and it felt like a good match.
Tip: Get really honest with yourself when looking at potential pets. It’s best when the heart and head work together and it’s a practical match as well as love at first sight. As Suzy said on the teleseries (I’m paraphrasing) you may see a beautiful Husky that steals your heart but if you just like a once round the block walk in the morning it may not be the perfect pet for you!
Dealing with uncertainty.
There’s always an element of uncertainty, or risk when getting a new animal friend. You don’t know in advance if you’ll be a good match or they’ll get on with any existing pets.
Tip: Most breeders or shelters will understand if for some reason the pet isn’t a good fit and a trial period is often agreed on so you can all find out if the relationship works.
One thing that I have found, and I talk about it in this week’s video, is that our energy and attitude makes a huge difference. If we are calm and trusting that things will work out, then they most likely will go well.
Doubt can crop up. I know that I second guessed myself (after all getting a pet that looks like your old one is a classic ‘no-no’ and can mean that you aren’t really accepting that the old pet has gone). It took time for me to make sure it was the right thing for me to do.
Once I met Caspian and saw that he did look quite different and I got to see his unique personality, I knew it was ok.
Introductions
My top tip for introducing new pets is to be calm and relaxed about it.
Cats
* Have a quiet room for the cat to be in when it first arrives. Have a litter tray, a crate, a bed and food and water all in there.
* Introduce the scent of the new cat first by stroking it and then the other cats (or stroke each with a sock for the same effect)
* A first meeting could be when the new cat is crated. If not, be sure to have plenty of bolt holes available.
* Keep the new cat indoors for a while (many people suggest 2 weeks) so it becomes familliar with the home and gets it’s bearings.
Dogs
* Introduce a new dog on neutral territory, with loose leads on both and be relaxed about it.
* Make sure they have separate toys and feeding bowls and feed them separately.
* It may be best to remove all toys for a while if they become a source of rivalry.
* Have a separate space for the new dog at first when you aren’t there to supervise them.
Energy tips to smooth introductions for all concerned.
Here are some really simple mindset tips and energy techniques that can really help introductions go smoothly for all of you.
1. Picture things working out really easily, it does help and your pets will pick up on it and understand that is what you want.
2. Act naturally when the pet fist comes to your home. Don’t be over attentive (it can be hard not to) but don’t just ignore them either.
3. Give them space to be curious about you and come to you in their own time (especially if they are nervous).
4. If you feel any tension brewing, stay calm and you’ll be better able to sense when to let the animals sort it out and when / how to intervene.
5. I highly recommend using EFT tapping to keep yourself and all the animals involved calm and relaxed. My free video series shows you how to use this easy and simple technique for yourself and your pets. This really helps if you are nervous, anxious or over-protective or if one of your pets is having difficulty adjusting to the new arrival.
Alternatively, use whatever technique you resonate with e.g. meditation, that helps you be in a calm, balanced mood.
And, enjoy bringing that new friend (or friends) into your life and home.
This week’s video
In this week’s video I talk about a couple of the tips from this post and you’ll get to see how Caspian is settling in, with a live glimpse of him meeting Leo and Baby.
Details for the teleclass I was talking about earlier.
This was the first of an amazing set of teleclasses, run by a wonderful lady called Suzy Godsey. It’s a speciality class about animals based on a set of tools and techniques called Access Consciousness. She’s looking at different themes throughout the year, next up is “Your new pet is home, now what?’. It starts on 7th October, 2015.
If you want to find out more about these classes click here or on the image below. Replays are available.
If you want to sign up, use this promo code TTASSFJ to get 5% off the normal price.
(The promo code is my affiliate link and I may earn a commission if you purchase through it.)
If you want a taster of the nature of these classes, check out Suzy Godsey’s website, here, where her free gift usually includes an audio download of a sample class.
(There is also a wonderful 4 part Acces Consciousness teleclass called ‘The Magic of Animals’ run by Therese Stoa starting tomorrow, click here for details of that. She also has a free taster class here.)
Over to you.
Have you any tips, tricks or stories aboutf helping a new pet integrate into your home? Let me know in the commments section below if you do.
Also, please share this post with anyone who is looking to get a new pet.
If you have any questions about choosing a pet or integrating a new pet into your home, or you need some help with that process, send me an email to ferris@ferrisjay.com and I’ll let you know how I can help.
Thank you.
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