1. Creature Comforts:
Preparing Your Home for Your
New Pet
Adopting a pet mess. The following
from a shelter can household and
transform your training tips
house into a cozy will get you on your
home. But without way to having it all-
careful preperation, furry love and a tidy
your new furry home.
friend can turn the
old homestead into a
“And remember to
Get off to a Great Start increase your pet’s
roaming privilages
Put a cozy bed for your pet in slowly, room by room.”
every room . Pets are much more
likely to keep off furniture if
they have attractive alternatives.
Until your pet learns
house rules, don’t give him
unsupervised access to rooms
with sofas, beds or any other
furniture you don’t want him
on. Instead, spend time with
your pet in those rooms, and be
ready to gently but persistently
discourage him from jumping up
on the furniture. It may help to
leave a short leash on your dog if
he tries to hop on your sofa. The
moment he does, say “Oops!”
Then take hold of his leash and
gently lead him away from the
Adapted from articles by Jacque Lynn Schultz, Director, ASPCA Companion Animals Program Advisor, and Dr. Stephen Adapte
Zawistowski, Senior Vice President, ASPCA National Program Office. Zawist

2. s: Paws to Claws
During bed next to the treat, you can
“chill time” tether. When sit on the sofa
together, teach you’re ready and read a
your dog thar to sit back book or watch
you’d like him and relax, TV.
to hang out tether your If you
on his own dog and give have a cat,
bed rather him something try putting
than on your exciting to double-sided
furniture. Tie chew. (Try sticky tape or
a short tether a new bulky upside-down
(about four stick, rawhide carpet runner
feet in length) or stuffed on furniture
to the leg of Kong toy.) to discourage
“Going from restriction to complete
a sofa. Place While he Fluffy from
your dog’s works on his scratching. freedom can set a pet up to fail.”
o Training
s
s * Use dog crates and gates to confine Walls Furniture Home Decor
your new dog when home alone Windows
oom.” until his house manners earn him * Use washable *Provide comfy beds in * Avoid vertical blinds,
unsupervised freedom. semi-gloss each room or designate one pooling drapery,
* Provide plenty of ”legal” things for paint in areas piece of furniture as your ornate tassels and long
your dog to chew. If he has attractive where your pet pet’s place. Cover this piece cords that can become
toys and bones of his own, he’ll be may sprinkle with a washable throw and strangulation hazards.
much less likely to gnaw on your spittle on the teach your pet this is the If a dog gets caught in
things! walls. only piece of furniture he is any of these, he could
* Provide kitty with a variety of * Washable allowed to frequent. panic and bring objects
scratching post and perches-cat trees vinyl-backed * Make sure slipcovers around him crashing
are helpful. wallpaper is are machine-washable, down.
* Be sure to give your dog at least 30 easier to clean especially if a light-colored * Think twice about
minutes of aerobic exercise- running, than traditional solid is your upholstery of mini-blinds, which can
fetching, playing or swimming- each paper-backed choice. get bent beyond repair
day. A tired dog will be much less likely wallpaper. * Leather and vinyl when a curious dog
to engage in destructive behavior. * Relegate furniture is easy to clean, tries to see the outside
* A busy dog will be much better antique but can be damaged by world.
behaved,too. Consider feeding your wallpapers too-long toenails! Be sure * Fabric shades, cafe
pet in food-puzzle toys when he has or fabric wall to clip your cat’s and dog’s curtains and draperies
to stay home alone. If he spends his treatments to nails regularly! are excellent choices
time working for his chow, he’ll be less the top half for homes with dogs.
likely to look for other ways to alleviate of the walls;
his bordom-like chewing on furniture paint or hang a
legs or unstuffing couches. washable wall
* Please also research house training covering below.
for dogs and litter box training for cats.
Stephen Adapted from articles by Jacque Lynn Schultz, Director, ASPCA Companion Animals Program Advisor, and Dr. Stephen
Zawistowski, Senior Vice President, ASPCA National Program Office.

3. Animal-Friendly Decor
Here are some fun ways to spruce up
your home for your companion animals:
Floors * Internal Dutch
doors between
* If you have
cats, be sure to
but the porthole
will keep dogs
* Machine-washable your new dog is fully rooms make it install high- from getting in
area rugs are easier to hous-trained—and if easy for you to quality metal and munching
keep clean than wall- rugs have decorative manage which screens on all on cat waste.
to-wall carpeting. If fringe, don’t put them pets are allowed windows. * A small lift
urine soaks into carpet back down until your where. They * Install a along a wall
backing, its nearly pet is well past teething also eliminate folding (hinged) where the litter
impossible to remove. age (over 8 months)! the need for cat perch under box or food and
K
If you do decide to * Tile, sheet linoleum awkward baby a window for water bowls are
stick with wall-to- and Prego® are pet-
gates. kitty’s placed would
wall, its a good idea to freindly floorings that
stock up on carpet care allow you to easily * Outdoor cat viewing make cleaning
products, especially wipe away accidental enclosures can pleasure. and feeding alot
enzymatic cleaners
made specifically for
droppings.
* Seal hardwood floors
be attached to
the house with
* How about a
built-in alcove
easier for senior
pet owners. The
Ag
pet accidents. with polyurethane to a cat door to for your dog’s lift would be
* Roll up vegetable- prevent urine odor from allow free access crate? used to raise
dyed oriental rugs until lingering. for your feline * By adding a and lower the
friend porthole to a litter box or food
Cleaners * Fenced-yards kitchen cabinet, bowels.
* If you use a where they’ve should have a you’ve got * If your really
product that contains made mistakes buried, inward- yourself a new handy, how
ammonia to clean before. Instead, facing section place for a cat about an outdoor
up your pet’s have on-hand a to prevent dogs litter tray! Not septic disposal
urine, you won’t special enzymatic from digging only will it look system for dog
be able to smell cleaner specifically and tunneling. clean and neat, waste?!
remaining odors, made for cleaning
but your pet will! up pet messes—all
In fact, ammonia-
based cleaners can
major pet stores
carry them. For best
Grooming
actually attract results, be sureto
pets and encourage follow directions on * Regularly meals.
them to urinate the product label. trim and file * Trim the
your pet’s hair around
nails to keep your pet’s
Keep Your Pet’s Eating her from
shredding
bottom to
help keep
and Sleeping Areas Tidy furniture.
* Brush kitty
excrement
from clinging.
or pooch * Make it
* Spill-proof eaters.
regularly to easy to give
water bowls * Frequently
remove dead your pet a
prevent drooly wash your pet’s
skin and good rubdown
drinkers from blanket and
hair that will after oudoor
spilling on the bedding; use
otherwise romps. Place
floor. a lint roller on
end up on a machine-
* A large, pillows.
furniture and washable area
absorbent * Scoop the poop
floors. rug by the
placemat under out of your cat’s
* Wipe off door and keep
food and water litter box at least
your pet’s a towel handy
bowls will make once or twice a
paws and near the entry.
for easier clean- day.
mouth after
up after messy
Adapted from articles by Jacque Lynn Schultz, Director, ASPCA Companion Animals Program Advisor, and Dr. Stephen
Zawistowski, Senior Vice President, ASPCA National Program Office.

4. Kids and Pets Interaction Guide
A guide to ages and species.
Infants Other Observations: Guinea Other Observations: Children
Primary Issues:Introduction to pigs like to be held, seldom this age can be reliable, but
current pets bite and will whistle when adults should always check on
Recommend: N/A excited or happy. food/water, etc.
Task for the Child: N/A Participation in dog training
classes are an excellent
Other Observations: 5-10 Years learning opportunity for
Resident dogs and cats need Primary Issues: Attention span
gradual,supervised introduction children.
is variable
to infants. Recommend: Shelf pets or
goldfish 14-17 Years
Toddler Task for the Child: Clean cages Primary Issues: Competition
Primary Issues: Curiosity; with adult help, supervised for time and attention (i.e.
pulling, touching, etc. play with dogs/cats Sports,clubs, etc.)
Recommend: N/A Other Observations: Adults Recommend: Birds, Aquariums
Task for the Child: N/A should always check to ensure Tasks for the Child: Most tasks.
Other Observations: Care must that pets have food/water and Use allowance to buy treats,
be taken with dog food dishes, cages are secured. etc.
toys; litter boxes for cats; Other Observations:
Developing interest as a
aquarium wires. 10-13 Years fancier, more likely to do
Primary Issues: Greater
research or read about the
3-5 Years interest in pets and capacity for
species.
Primary Issues: Learning about responsibility
Parents should note that dogs
contact, empathy. Recommend: Dogs, Cats,
and cats aquired at this age
Recommend: Guinea Pig Rabbits
will probably stay in the home
Tasks for the Child: Filling Tasks for the Child: Feed pet;
when the child
water bottle and food dish walk dog; clean rabbit cage;
leaves for college etc.
clean cat litter
Stephen Guide by Stephen Zawistowski, Ph.D, ASPCA Executive Vice President of National Programs.