5 First-Week Mistakes New Pet Parents Make (and How to Avoid Them)

Bringing your pet home for the first time is one of the most special moments you and your new furry friend will share and is the beginning of your happy lives together. But we won't sugarcoat it—the first week with a new pet can be tough, no matter how prepared you are. You can make life easier for both of you by keeping a few key tips in mind.

Here are the top five mistakes new pet parents make in the first week and how you can avoid them.

1. Not Sticking to a Routine

The pinnacle of pet ownership is establishing a great balance of flexibility and structure, but the latter helps your new pet know what to expect from you and their new environment. Establishing a routine, including meals and potty breaks for dogs, can help mitigate a lot of stress for all parties involved. Do this as early as possible after bringing your new pet home to maximize your routine's success.

"Especially when in a new environment, routine can be so helpful to settle potential anxiety from the new pet," Alli Rooney, marketing manager for Chicago animal rescue One Tail at a Time, says. "If you are changing up what happens each day and what times meals and walks occur, the new pet can take a longer time to adjust."

2. Leaving Them Alone for Too Long

As you build trust with your new pet, you'll be able to leave them unsupervised for longer periods. But in the first week, you should keep as close a watch as your schedule allows. Remember: you've lived in your home longer than they have, and they're not used to their new abode yet.

Keeping a close eye on your new pet also helps you spot and help to correct undesirable behavior, if any, like destructive tendencies or potty accidents in the house. Furthermore, if your new pet is feeling under the weather after their adoption for any reason, you'll be able to spot worrisome symptoms sooner rather than later.

3. Forgetting to Transition Their Food

In the first week or so, it's important to take special care with your pet's diet. Make sure to talk with the animal shelter you adopted from (or your pet's former owners) about what your pet was eating before you adopted them. That way, you can set your pet's tummy up for success. Even if you want to change their diet eventually, it's important to transition off the old diet slowly so the change is less drastic.

4. Skipping the Initial Vet Appointment

Even if the animal shelter kept them up-to-date on vaccinations before adoption, it's important to establish care at a trusted local veterinarian as soon as you can after bringing your new pet home. Here, they're able to give your pet a thorough wellness exam to establish a baseline for future appointments.

Additionally, a visit to the vet is a great opportunity for you as a new pet parent to ask any pressing questions you have, whether your inquiries are specific to your pet, or pet ownership in general. Your vet can give you suggestions on diet, socialization, and general health guidelines to keep in mind as you and your pet grow together.

5. Doing Too Much Too Soon

It's easy to get caught up in the excitement of having a new pet, but remember to take things slowly as you get used to each other. You will have plenty of time to introduce your new pet to all the world has to offer them and make lasting memories together.

"It's best to use the 3-3-3 method of decompression and allow your new pet to decompress and get to know them before introducing them to all of the new things—introducing your new pet to your friends and family right away, going to the dog park during your first few weeks together, visiting outdoor patios, etc.," Rooney says.