First Week With a Newly Adopted Pet: A Day-by-Day Checklist

Short answer: Keep the first week quiet and predictable. Set up one calm spot with a bed, water, food and (for cats) a litter box before your pet comes home. Stick to a simple routine for meals, walks or play, and sleep. Book a vet visit in the first few days. Let your new dog or cat explore at their own pace. Most pets need time before they feel at home, and a slow start usually goes better in the end. Adopting soon? Two dates to know If you're still deciding, this is a good season to adopt. Petco Love's national adoption weekend runs Saturday and Sunday, November 7–8, with adoptable pets at participating Petco stores and local shelters across the country. Check with your local shelter to see what's happening near you. In December, Chewy Claus will cover adoption fees at hundreds of participating shelters nationwide from December 11–17. The Chewy Claus Dream Express is also making a stop in Miami, where families can meet adoptable pets and learn about a local shelter. Check chewy.com/chewyclaus for participating shelters and Miami details. Whenever your new friend comes home, the checklist below will help you through the first seven days. What to buy for a new dog or cat Have these ready before day 1: For dogs • Collar or harness with an ID tag, plus a leash • Food and water bowls • The same food the shelter was feeding (ask them for the brand) • A bed or crate with a soft blanket • Poop bags • A couple of chew toys For cats • Litter box, litter and a scoop • Food and water bowls • The food the shelter was feeding • A carrier • A scratching post • A hiding spot (a covered bed or even a cardboard box) • A few small toys For both: a copy of the adoption paperwork, your vet's phone number, and an enzyme cleaner for accidents. Looking for bowls, beds or a welcome-home gift? Browse the EcoPawst shop (https://ecopawst.com/shop). The first week, day by day Day 1: Arrival • Go straight home and keep the trip calm. • Take your dog to their potty spot first. Show your cat the litter box, then let them settle in. • Start in one quiet room rather than the whole house. • Keep visitors away. Neighbors and friends can meet your pet next week. • Offer water and a small meal. Don't worry if they don't eat much. That's common on the first day. Day 2: Routine starts • Feed at the same times each day. • Dogs: take short walks on the same route at the same times. • Cats: let them come to you. Sit on the floor, talk softly and offer a toy. • Note anything you see, like how they eat, drink and use the bathroom. Your vet will want to know. Day 3: Small steps out • Open up one more room or area if your pet seems relaxed. • Practice a few easy moments, like saying their name, giving a treat and offering gentle praise. • Give them plenty of quiet time to nap. New places are tiring. Day 4: Vet visit (if not done yet) • Bring the adoption paperwork and any shelter records. • Ask your vet about vaccines, parasite prevention, microchip registration and the right food and portions. • Write your questions down beforehand so you don't forget any. Day 5: Meet the household • Introduce other pets slowly, with short supervised visits and a barrier or leash. • Teach kids to let the pet come to them and not to grab, hug or chase. • Keep food bowls separate if you have more than one pet. Day 6: Gentle confidence building • Dogs: try a slightly longer walk or a quiet new place. • Cats: add a window perch or a new play session. • Keep the routine the same even as you add new things. Day 7: Look back • What's working? What still seems hard? • Update the ID tag and microchip details if you haven't already. • Remember that many pets keep settling in over the next few weeks and even months. Give it time. Set up a calm feeding corner Meals are one of the best ways to build trust. A quiet, tidy spot away from foot traffic helps a nervous pet eat in peace. Use the same place every time, keep water fresh, and give each pet their own bowl. We walk through how to set one up in A Calm, Tidy Mealtime Corner (https://ecopawst.com/blog/calm-tidy-mealtime-corner/). If you're switching foods, ask your vet how to do it slowly. Sudden changes can upset a pet's stomach. The first vet visit Plan a checkup in the first week, even if the shelter has already done one. It gives your vet a starting point for your pet's health and gives you a chance to ask questions. Good topics to bring up: • Vaccine schedule and what's still due • Flea, tick and worm prevention • Spay/neuter status • Microchip registration in your name • How much and how often to feed • Normal behavior and when to call Signs that need a vet now This section is general information, not medical advice. If something seems wrong, see a veterinarian. If you aren't sure, call your vet or an emergency clinic and ask. Call a veterinarian right away if your pet: • Has trouble breathing • Vomits or has diarrhea more than once, or you see blood • Hasn't eaten for a day (dogs) or seems to have stopped eating (cats; ask your vet promptly) • Can't pee, or strains in the litter box without producing anything (especially male cats) • Is very weak, collapses or seems in pain • Has a seizure • May have eaten something toxic, like medicine, chocolate, grapes, lilies (cats) or cleaning products Your vet knows your pet best. When in doubt, ask your vet. Printable first-week checklist Before day 1 ☐ Bed or crate, bowls, food, ID tag ☐ Litter box and scoop (cats) / leash and poop bags (dogs) ☐ Quiet room set up ☐ Vet booked Days 1–3 ☐ Calm arrival, one room only ☐ Regular meal times ☐ Potty or litter routine started ☐ Lots of quiet rest Days 4–7 ☐ Vet checkup done ☐ Slow introductions to people and pets ☐ Microchip and ID tag updated ☐ Notes on what's working Print this page and stick it on the fridge. Our promise 30% of EcoPawst profit goes to help animals. Questions about anything in our shop? Call us at (954) 418-2847. EcoPawst is part of the EcoAlaxy (https://ecoalaxy.com) family. Curious how we use AI on this site? See /about-ai (https://ecopawst.com/about-ai).