Welcoming New Friends!
This April, we have been given the gift of housing two new dogs! As such, we decided that this blog post would not only highlight our new family members but also discuss the tips and struggles of bringing new pets into your home.
As exciting as it can be, there are many questions and concerns when it comes to taking in new pets. You wonder if they will fit into your family, or if your work schedule will even allow for a new pet. What if they're too rowdy for your home? Or maybe you have other pets already, and you're wondering if they will all get along. And, maybe the saddest question of all: what if it just doesn't work out?
We hope to address most, if not all, of these concerns in the post.
The 3-3-3 Rule
Before addressing these concerns, we want to discuss the 3-3-3 rule. When taking in any new pet, be it a dog or a cat, you need to understand what this rule is to better understand the adjustment process. As a general rule, it takes a full three months for a new pet to adjust to your household and routines. You must have the patience to stick it out to fully discover your new pet's personality.
The first 3 days are when your pet needs time to decompress. When bringing new pets into a home, the environment could be overwhelming and stressful, leading to avoidant behavior, lack of eating, or anxiety. It's important to allow for safe places away from other animals and people to allow for solitude from the stressful new environment. This is where you should place their bed, food, and water. After those three days, they should become more accustomed to their new home and start coming out of their shell.
The first 3 weeks are when your pet's personality will begin to shine through. As they begin to come out of their shell and adjust to their new home, pets will start showing their true colors. This can be a very fun time where you get to know what your new dog is like. Are they playful? Energetic? Do they love cuddles? Maybe they're calm and want to sleep and eat all the time. Or maybe their favorite part of the day is going outside. However, this can also be a very trying time as your pet starts to test boundaries and behavioral issues show themselves. Establishing regular schedules for feeding, playing, and bathroom times will help them continue to adjust to your home. You can also begin introducing them to other pets and family members.
The first 3 months are when your pet fully settles into your home and trust is built. In this stage, your new pet has adjusted to their new home and family. They feel comfortable in your presence, and it's time to nourish the growing relationship between you and them. Training sessions and playtime are the easiest and best ways to build trust, and training sessions specifically will help with any behavioral issues that have started to form. This is also a good time to start forming a relationship with a vet. If you're rehoming an older dog and cannot or do not use the same vet, knowing who saw them previously will help, as medical history can be transferred from a previous vet.
Now, while these are good general rules to follow, every dog and cat is different. It may take shorter or longer than three months for them to adjust. It is better to treat this as more guidelines than actual rules. Your pet is unique, and it is good to be able to adjust to their needs.
At the end of those three months, all of your concerns should be solved. Your new pet should be adjusted to your home and routine, and even any other pets you may have. However, if for some reason you have determined that your new pet is not suited to your household, knowing what step to take next is important.
Rehoming a Pet
Maybe a new pet isn't a good fit for your home. They're too rough with your kids, you don't have the time to give them the proper exercise or attention, or they've proven to be harmful. Maybe you've had a pet for years, but your living situation has changed, and you can no longer care for them. As sad as it can be, rehoming a pet can sometimes be the best option for you and them. There are many resources out there to help you do just that. Shelters, neighbors, and friends will be your best bet.
For our family, we worked out an agreement beforehand on who would care for these dogs if they didn't fit into our home. We are very happy we didn't have to resort to plan B, but having one set in place can help if any issues occur.
Changing Diets
If you're like us and taking in a new pet, you might be facing issues of nervous stomachs or upset tummies from new foods, leading to vomiting, bloody stools, or diarrhea. There are many natural and easy solutions to help with this problem.
Slow transitions with food are important, whether you're getting a new pet or not. Cats and dogs can both be very sensitive to changes in diet, leading to upset stomachs or even bloody stools. If this occurs, it is not an immediate sign of something wrong with your pet. Their stomach might just need time to adjust to their new diet. It is generally best to stick to a mix of 75% previous food and 25% new food for a few days, then gradually transition to 50/50, followed by 25/75. Slowly weaning them off their previous food should prevent any digestive issues. However, a check-up for a persisting issue never hurts.
There are also many natural ingredients you can top your dog's food with if you are particularly concerned about a pet with dietary issues. Adding them should aid in digesting new food.
Pumpkin is one of the best superfoods out there for digestive aid. It balances the pH level in the gut and assists in constipation, diarrhea, and a slew of other things. Because of this, we specifically crafted a treat that allows you to add extra pumpkin to your pet's daily diet in a fun and delicious way. If your pet is having digestive issues, either a small scoop of pumpkin puree on their food, or a few of our Pumpkin treats should help clear up those issues.
Slippery Elm is another great natural herb that is used to treat specific digestive issues like IBD or acid reflux. This is a great short-term natural remedy for underlying digestive issues. Be sure to follow the dosing directions that apply to your pet.
Our Own Experience
As stated earlier, every pet is different when it comes to the 3-3-3 rule, and we have seen that with our own new additions, Coco and Crystal.
Day one, they were instantly excited to meet everyone and hopping on people's laps as if they already knew we were their people. Day two, Coco seemed to realize she was no longer with her mom and did not eat until the evening of day three, but that was the only complication we faced with them. We even took them downtown to get a bath at NoogaPaws on day three and enjoyed a nice lunch outside.
As we've moved into the three weeks, we have definitely seen their personalities shine through. Every time someone walks through the door, we are greeted with excited barks and wagging tails. Coco loves to play (despite being 10 years old now) and to be held, while Crystal enjoys belly rubs and exploring the backyard or sleeping at our feet while we make treats. Our dog Josie initially hid in our rooms at their arrival, but now seems content to have other dogs in her life again.
We haven't gotten through the three-month stage yet, but we already see them adjusting very well to our home and family. We are very happy to have them and hope we can enjoy their companionship for several years to come.
If you have any questions or want to share your own experience, post them in the comments below!
Posted 4/30/2026