As your four-legged companion reaches their golden years, you may consider adding a new pet to your family. Many people welcome a new puppy, kitten, or adult pet into their home before their senior pet passes, to help them learn the household rules, and to avoid that gaping hole left behind when they lose a beloved pet. But, introducing a rambunctious young pet to a senior pet who may be sore, nauseous, or generally unwell can be challenging. Before bringing home a new pet, research how you should properly introduce a new pet to your senior pet, and help ensure a happy household. Here are three tips to get you started.

#1: Consider your senior pet’s needs first

Carefully consider your senior pet’s health condition before bringing home a new pet. Are they suffering from painful cancer, such as osteosarcoma? Do they require extensive nursing care at home, like subcutaneous fluids and syringe feeding, which may limit your time with a new pet? Or, does your senior pet simply deserve peace and quiet for their final days? Take into account the challenges of adding a feisty puppy or kitten to a household with a potentially ill senior pet, and ensure neither pet will suffer from too little attention or care. Also, consider your own needs. Will caring for a puppy or kitten be overwhelming when you are already caring for your senior pet as their condition declines? View the situation from all angles before making a decision.

#2: Create separate spaces for your senior pet and new pet

Before bringing home your new pet, create “safe zones” where each pet can decompress and relax. A new family member can add stress, so ensure each pet has a personal space that is off-limits to the others. Also, introduce pets on neutral ground and not a highly valued territory. Next, keep your pets separated until they become accustomed to seeing each other and become familiar with their scent. Baby gates and spare bedrooms work well since each pet has its safe space, but they can interact through the gate. Once the pets have become acclimated enough to each other to allow free interaction, they will still need separate spaces to rest and relax in privacy.

#3: Shower your senior pet with the same level of attention and affection 

Although nothing is more adorable than a tiny puppy or kitten, try not to give your new pet all your attention. Your senior pet has showered you with a lifetime of love and devotion, so don’t abandon them in their golden years for a younger model. Choose activities that both pets can do together, or spend special one-on-one time with your senior pet. When playing with both pets, try the following activities:

Daily walks — If your new dog and your senior dog aren’t yet comfortable around each other, get them out of the house, and investigate new sights and scents together. Walking together will be a positive experience for both dogs, and will help your younger dog burn off excess energy. Take a pocketful of treats and work on training your new dog and building a stronger bond while you walk.

Tricks — Pets are great imitators, and teaching tricks can be one of the easiest ways to teach a new pet the ropes. Engage in training sessions with the pets next to each other, and make them compete to see who responds faster to cues—and gets the first treat.

Sharing sessions — Sharing can be tough for a pet who was an “only child” for much of their life. Make sharing toys and attention more fun by including both pets during playtime, and encourage them to share balls, tug toys, stuffed animals, and feather wands. 

With patience and perseverance, your two pets will become fast friends, creating a happy household.  If you need additional insight, try our telehospice service to speak with a Lap of Love veterinarian who specializes in the needs of senior pets.