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Written by Myles D.

Introducing Fido to Fluffy: A Guide to Bringing Home a New Dog When You Have Cats

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Written by Myles D.
Introducing Fido to Fluffy: A Guide to Bringing Home a New Dog When You Have Cats
cat kitten suspicious dog introduce

Fluffy is used to being the king of the castle of your home. All of a sudden, an intruder is in the home - a loud and active intruder - a dog. Fluffy may not be pleased.

Whether you are bringing home a puppy or an older dog, it is important to take the right steps to allow both pets to be comfortable in their home. 

Introducing a new dog to your cats can be a delicate process, but with the right approach, it can be done successfully. Here are some steps you can follow to help ensure a smooth introduction. 

Prepare A Safe Space for Your Cats

Before bringing the new dog home, create a separate room or space for your cats to retreat to where the dog can't access them. This will give them a sense of security and a safe space to retreat to if they feel uncomfortable or threatened. Ensure that their food, water, and litter are all accessible to them.

Many of our Litter Box Enclosures will give your cat a safe and accessible space for their litter box, but also will help to keep it out of sight and to keep the odor and litter contained.

Introduce Pets Gradually

Start by allowing your cats to investigate the new dog from a safe distance. You can do this by placing the dog in a crate or behind a baby gate. This will give the cats a chance to get used to the dog's presence without feeling threatened.

Use Positive Reinforcement

Reward your pets with treats and praise for good behavior around each other. This will help them associate each other's presence with positive experiences.

Supervise All Interactions

Always supervise your pets when they are together until you are sure they are comfortable around each other. If any aggressive behavior is observed, separate the animals immediately.

Give Your Cats Plenty of Attention

It's important to continue giving your cats attention and affection, even after the new dog has arrived. This will help reassure them that they are still loved and valued members of the family.

Be Patient

dog and cat happy litter box enclosed

The process of introducing a new dog to your cats can take time, so be patient and don't rush things. It may take several weeks or even months for your pets to adjust to each other's presence.

By following these steps, you can help ensure a successful introduction and a happy, harmonious household for all your pets.

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Written by Myles D.

Bringing Home Kitten: Tips and Tricks for a Successful Transition

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Written by Myles D.
Bringing Home Kitten: Tips and Tricks for a Successful Transition

Bringing home a new kitten can be an exciting experience! Here are some tips to make the transition smooth:

cute kitten sleeping orange cat bringing home kitty

Prepare a safe and comfortable space for your kitten to explore and rest in.

A small kitten can get overwhelmed pretty easily, so introduce her to just one room at a time. Start by bringing her carrier to a small, enclosed, quiet room with a litter box, food and water bowls, toys, and a bed. She may hide in her carrier for a while at first, and that's perfectly normal. Give her a little time to calm down before she steps out into the wide, open space.

Keep her in the small room and play with her frequently until she feels more comfortable and confident. Slowly expand her access, one room at a time. Remember to cat-proof your home, keeping anything that could be harmful out of reach.

Stock up on food, water, litter, toys, and scratching posts.

cat scratching post scratcher kitty

Make sure you have all supplies before bringing your kitten home so that when she comes home you can focus on her! Before you bring her home, ask what food she has been eating and what litter she has been using. If you wish to change either of these once you bring her home, you should transition slowly.

Some other items you may want to think about:

  • Cat carrier - In order to bring your new cat or kitten home safely, you need a cat carrier. If you’re adopting a kitten, the shelter may have cardboard carriers or one you can borrow and return. But to take kitty to their vet visits and if you’re ever going to travel with your cat, a carrier is a must.
  • A litter box for each cat (and a place to put it)
    When your new kitten or cat arrives home, you’ll need to show them where they should do their business. Remember: you need one litter box for each cat in your household, and ideally an extra one. You can have different types of litter boxes as available options. Designer Pet Products has a variety of litter boxes that keep the litter pan accessible to your cats and gives them a safe space, but also keeps it out of sight for you! 
  • Cat food and water dishes
    Your kitten will need designated food and water dishes when you bring her home. Go with a wider, shallower dish when possible because some kitties have sensitive whiskers that hurt when they try to push their face into narrower openings to eat or drink.
  • Scratchers and Toys
    You also want to encourage your kitten to engage in play that taps into her instincts. This will help her feel more confident and, as an added bonus, help her stay out of trouble. When kittens (or even adult cats) have too much energy or stress, they tend to express it through destructive actions like spraying or scratching furniture.

    Set up scratching posts, so she has appropriate locations to scratch and stretch her claws. Get a cat tree to cater to your kitten's instinct to climb.

Introduce your kitten to family members and other pets slowly and with supervision.

Keep your kitten in a separate room and regularly bring food, refresh the water and change the litter box. If you spot the kitty coming out to explore, spend a little more time in there. Speak softly and handle your kitten gently if they seem interested. The rest of your human family can slowly do the same

Once your kitten seems curious and confident, it’s time to let kitty out of their room— but just for a while. Put other pets in a different room while you let the kitten explore your house. 

Now it’s time for all your pets to meet! Expect some defensive behavior from your older pets, including fluffed-up tails, hissing and growling. Always supervise your pets until you’re absolutely sure the big ones will play nicely with the little one.
With that milestone reached, it’s time for the finishing touch: feeding the kitten in the same area as your other pets.

Schedule a vet visit to ensure your kitten is healthy and up-to-date on vaccinations.

All newly adopted cats should be brought to a veterinarian within a couple weeks of adoption for a full physical examination even if they are older and already up to date with their vaccinations. Kittens will need to have at least a few visits. They will get vaccines at 8, 12, and 16 weeks of age.

kitten cat gatos playing with cat toy

Give your kitten plenty of love and attention, but also allow them time to adjust to their new surroundings.

This is an exciting time for you and your new kitten! Enjoy spending time with your new family member and helping her adjust will be rewarding for both of you!

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Written by Myles D.
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litter box tips

Designer Pet Products Litter Box Tips

Post author
Written by Myles D.

cat-litter-box-scooper-gatos-clean

As a cat owner, there are certain tasks we complete out of love for our feline companion, but prefer to avoid. One of those tasks is the dreaded cleaning of the litter box. However, staying on top of cleaning your cat's litter box is essential to avoid odor, transmission of cat-to human diseases, and elimination problems. 

One of the most common reasons cats are brought in to the vet (or given up to shelters) is litter box issues. Most cats will naturally have the instinct to use the litter box without many directions.

While it will never be a welcome chore, the following tips might make the process less painful.

HELPFUL LITTER BOX TIPS

dog-cat-enclosed-wood-box-interior-design-mirror
The Parker Designer Catbox in Oak

Keep the Litter Box Accessible

Litter boxes are best placed in an easily accessible quiet, low-traffic area. Loud areas or high-traffic areas can disturb your cat and make them not want to use that litter box. They also tend to dislike when their litter box is close to their food dishes.

Shop our litter box enclosures to find the perfect one for you and your cat!

Choose the Right Litter

There are many types of litter available, so choose one that works well for both you and your cat. Some popular options include clay litter, clumping litter, and natural or biodegradable litter.

Clean the Litter Box Daily

Cats are very clean animals, and they may not use their litter box if it is too dirty for their liking. This will also help your cat feel more comfortable using the box. Scoop out waste and clumps of litter daily to keep the box clean and reduce odors.

Clean the Box Regularly

The litter box should be thoroughly washed and changed with fresh, new litter once a week. Use warm water and gentle soap. Do not use harsh chemicals to clean the litter box because they leave harmful residue.

Consider Adding a Mat

Placing a litter mat under the box can help catch any litter that your cat tracks out of the box. This can help keep your floors clean and reduce the spread of bacteria.

Provide Enough Litter Boxes

It's important to have enough litter boxes for each cat in your household, plus one extra. This will prevent competition and territorial issues, and ensure that each cat has ample space to use the box comfortably.

Overall, owning a cat can bring so much joy and happiness to your life. While dealing with a litter box may be least desirable aspect of owning a cat, by following these tips, you can keep your litter box clean and your cat happy and healthy.

cat-love-owner-kitty-kitten-lap

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