Preparing Your Home

Preparing Your Home for a New Pet

A calm, safe, well-prepared home tells a nervous animal they've landed somewhere secure. Here's how to get ready, from carving out a safe retreat to spotting the hazards curious pets find first.

Create a Safe Space

New pets almost always need time to adjust, and the run of an entire house can be overwhelming. Set up one quiet area, a spare room, a gated corner, or a cozy nook, where your pet can decompress at their own pace.

Depending on the animal, a good safe space might include:

A comfortable bed

Food and water bowls placed away from high-traffic areas

A few toys for comfort

A crate or carrier left open as a den-like retreat

A litter box for cats, positioned away from their food

Keep this area away from loud appliances and busy doorways. As your pet grows more confident over the first days and weeks, you can gradually open up more of the house. Expanding their world slowly is far less stressful than giving them everything at once.

Pet-Proof Your Home

Pets, especially puppies, kittens, and anxious newcomers, explore with their noses and mouths. Before your pet arrives, walk through your home with fresh eyes and look for anything they might chew, swallow, or knock over.

Secure household chemicals — Store cleaners, antifreeze, and medications in closed cabinets.

Remove toxic plants — Lilies are especially deadly to cats, while pothos, philodendron, sago palm, aloe, and tulip or daffodil bulbs can harm both cats and dogs.

Cover or bundle electrical cords — Dangling cords invite chewing, which can cause serious injury.

Keep small objects out of reach — Coins, hair ties, string, and rubber bands are easy to swallow and can cause blockages.

Secure trash cans — A lidded bin keeps pets away from spoiled food, bones, and dangerous scraps.

Pet-Proof Each Room

A quick room-by-room sweep catches what's easy to miss. In the kitchen, store foods toxic to pets: chocolate, grapes, onions, and anything with xylitol. In the bathroom, close toilet lids and tuck away medications. In living areas, anchor unstable furniture and TVs. In the garage and yard, watch for antifreeze, fertilizers, and gaps in fencing. Crouching to your pet's eye level is one of the best ways to spot dangers you'd otherwise overlook.

Set Up Your Supplies

Having supplies ready and thoughtfully placed lets you focus on bonding from day one. For dogs, keep a collar and leash by the door, store food and treats securely, and have toys, waste bags, and grooming supplies on hand. For cats, set up a litter box in a quiet spot, place a scratching post where they like to spend time, and keep a carrier accessible along with toys and grooming tools.

Wherever possible, put food, water, and resting spots in calm areas rather than busy hallways. Pets relax more comfortably when they aren't in the middle of the action.

Plan the First Few Days

Your new companion may seem nervous or unsure at first, and that's completely normal. The goal for the first few days is simply to help them feel safe.

Keep a consistent routine — Regular feeding, walking, and rest times build security.

Limit visitors at first — Too much excitement too soon can overwhelm a new pet.

Use positive reinforcement — Reward calm behavior rather than focusing on corrections.

Let your pet explore at their own pace — Allow them to approach new people and rooms when they're ready.

Some pets bounce back quickly; others take days or weeks to fully relax. Meeting your pet where they are, rather than rushing, builds the trust that a lasting relationship depends on.