PREPARING YOUR HOMe

Before you bring your new adopted friend home, there a few things that should already be prepared.

Collar – the collar needs to fit well around the neck and two fingers should comfortably fit between the neck and the collar
Leash – a longer leash (especially in the beginning) is a good investment as you should not let your dog off the leash until you understand their behaviour
Harness – if your dog is not used to walking on the leash, then a harness is a good choice as the pressure is distributed evenly on the body
ID Tag – even though your dog should have a microchip, an ID tag with your phone number helps to bring your dog back to you in case he or she runs away
Water bowl – a bowl for water should be available for your dog every hour of every day
Food bowl – a food bowl and a designated station where your dog will be fed
Bed/pillow – your dog wants to sleep comfortably, therefore a basket, pillow or dog bed is a good investment. He should have a designated sleeping area
Car harness, travelling crate or dog guard – when travelling in the car, your dog needs to be secure

Litter box – There should be at least as many boxes as cats, and ideally one spare
Opportunities for climbing – Cats enjoy occupying raised vantage points. These give them a feeling of safety while allowing them to indulge their curiosity
Opportunities for sleeping and withdrawing - Having a variety of options for the cat to choose from as they tend to change their preferences
Opportunities for scratching - For a cat, scratching is a way of sharpening their claws, marking out their turf through scents in the pads of their paws and for stress relief.
Water bowl – A bowl for water should always be available for the cat
Food bowl – A food bowl should be placed in another room than the water bowl as cats tend to prefer their food and water being separate.

Small mammals

FOUR PAWS recommend to read specialist literature to learn the basics of keeping small mammals in a species-appropriate way.