Socialization of Cats and Dogs

What is socialization?

Socialization is the process of preparing a dog or cat to enjoy interactions and be comfortable with other animals, people, places, and activities. Ideally, socialization should begin during the "sensitive period" which is between 3 and 14 weeks of age for puppies, and 3 and 9 weeks of age for kittens.

Advice to new puppy and kitten owners

Adopting a new kitten or puppy is a wonderful and exciting experience. It is also a time where a little extra planning can help a new pet develop a calm and confident temperament that will help them enjoy life to the fullest. The basic tenets of socialization are outlined below.

• When adopting a puppy or kitten, ask for a pre- and post-adoption socialization plan.

• Create a socialization plan specifically for your dog or cat to prepare him or her for life in your household. Plan exposures to the animals, individuals, environments, activities, and objects that will be part of his or her new life.

• Provide regular positive and diverse experiences to encourage your dog or cat to enjoy new experiences without becoming fearful or aggressive.

• Provide praise, play, and treats to reward engagement. Allow the dog or cat to withdraw if he or she is uncomfortable. Move at a pace appropriate for your pet's personality.

• Well-managed puppy or kitten socialization classes are a good way to socialize your new pet within the “sensitive period” of a pet’s life.

• Puppies or kittens that are not fully vaccinated should not be exposed to unvaccinated animals or places they may have been (such as outdoor parks).

• Continue to reward your dog or cat for calm or playful responses to social interactions throughout his or her life.

• For dogs or cats with special behavioral needs, develop a plan with your veterinarian and/or another animal behavior expert.

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Related: We have more information under our cat health + dog health + client care categories.

New Kitten and Puppy Care: Adoption​

So you’ve gained a four-legged family member. Now what? In this series, we will lay out what to expect when you’re expecting a new feline or canine friend to join the family. We continue this series with a topic close to our hearts: adoption, before & after. 

Are you ready to adopt?

Adopting an animal means committing to caring for an animal for its entire life. This could fall between 10 to 15 years for dogs and even up to 20 years for cats. When your lifestyles change, your animal will remain as part of your life. It also means fees that continue beyond a simple adoption fee. There’s food, veterinary care, spaying or neutering, and proper identification.

Having time for your pet is another factor. Dogs benefit from several hours of attention and exercise daily. Cats also love a good chase of a laser or catnip.

Which pet is right for you?

Consider the space a new pet will have to roam. Do you live in a cramped apartment and travel a lot? Consider a small dog or cat. Live with a family of 5 with a fenced in yard? Consider a larger breed of dog. Don’t hesitate to ask shelter staff for guidance to make for the perfect match.

Preparing your home.

From toxic foods left in bowls to pet-unfriendly plants and easy-to-get-into-trash bins, be sure to observe your home and make changes to assure your home is safe for a new canine or feline companion before their arrival.

Things to consider:

• A dog or cat bed. Pets are inclined to keep off furniture if they have a designated bed.

• Avoid vertical blinds, pooling drapery, ornate tassels, and long cords that are strangulation hazards.

• If you adopt a cat, install high-quality metal screens so you can open a window without risking an escape.

• If your new dog is not yet house-trained, consider temporarily storing away expensive rugs.

• Provide your new feline friend with scratching posts and perches.

• Use dog crates and gates to confine your new dog when absent from home until they are well-behaved.

• Provide dogs with plenty of things they are allowed to chew on toys or bones, so he is less likely to find your shoe as an alternative.

• Check that plants kept indoors or around your home are not poisonous to pets.

Local shelters include:

Last Chance, Cat Depot, Honor Animal Rescue, among many others listed in the latest issue of Pet Pages located in our lobby.

In this series

Don't forget to check out our previous piece on vet visits.

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Don't forget to subscribe to our email newsletter for more recipes, articles, and clinic updates delivered to your inbox (here). Or, you can keep up to date by liking and following our Facebook page (here). We also have additional tips under our tips category (here).