How to care for rescue pets

Updated 14/06/2024

Whether you’re bringing home a rescue dog or a new furry feline, it can be difficult to know what to expect. In this guide to pet care for rescued pets, we’ve got a checklist of items you’ll need for both dogs and cats, advice on surviving the first week, and training tips for rescue pups. 

How to care for a rescue dog

Bringing home a rescue dog takes some prep work, so we’re going to talk about setting up their space as well as settling them into their new home. 

Rescue dog checklist

Make sure you’ve got all the necessary items before bringing your pooch pal home to make the transition from shelter to furrr-ever home as smooth as possible. 

• Food and water bowls. 
• Food – to start with, this should be the same food they ate at the shelter. Make sure it’s suitable for their age, packed with nutrients, and doesn’t contain anything they’re allergic to (if they have been diagnosed with allergies). If you decide to change your pet’s diet at any point, speak to the vet about the best way to do it. 
• Healthy treats (essential for training and bonding with your pup). 
• Poop bags (important!).
• Pee pads (in case they’re not house-trained).
• Toys – puzzle toys, chew toys, and soft toys.
• A dog crate that can be used both at home and for traveling.
• A cozy dog bed.
• ID tags with your details on them.
• An adjustable collar.
• A leash and a harness.
• Grooming products including a brush and shampoo. 
• A baby gate, if necessary.

The first night with a rescue dog

It can be difficult to predict how a rescue dog’s going to react on their first night home. Some settle down quickly and quietly whereas others may cry through the night. 

Decide where your pooch pal will sleep before bringing them home. If you let them sleep on your bed the first night, you’ll need to be prepared to do this every night (which might be off-putting for some dog sitters!). Instead, pet parents often choose to set their furry family members up with a cozy dog bed in a room nearby. Putting their bed inside a dog crate can help create a ‘safe space’ which not only makes them feel secure but also keeps them out of trouble while you’re sleeping. The result is a better night’s sleep for everyone involved!

If your four-pawed pal does have trouble the first night, offer them some comfort but don’t overdo it, as this can lead to separation anxiety.

Adopting a rescue dog: The first seven days

Monitor their behavior 

Keep a close eye on your furry friend and how they’re adjusting, and learn to read their body language. Allow them to come to you in their own time.

Establish a routine

Start feeding and walking them at the same time each day, and also try to keep your own routine as consistent as possible. Remember not to change their food too quickly, and speak to the vet about how to make the transition to a different diet if necessary.  

Keep them on a leash

No matter how well-trained your four-legged friend might seem, you never know what they’ve experienced in life up until now. Keep them on a leash when introducing them to other pets and people, and ideally, new dogs should be introduced on neutral territory, such as the park. 

Supervise them

Don’t leave your four-legged friend alone with other pets or young children.

Don’t bathe them

When you get your new furry family member home, your first instinct might be to bathe them, but this could really spook them. Your pup may have had bad experiences with grooming and bathing in the past, so it’s best to save this until they’ve settled in a bit more.

Go to the vet 

The vet will examine your pooch pal, give them any necessary vaccines, check whether they’re spayed or neutered, and address any health issues. Be sure to give them as much information about your pup’s health as you can.

How to help a rescue dog settle in

Ever heard of the 3-3-3 dog rule? Rescue pups typically need three days to unwind from travel, three weeks to adapt to your schedule, and three months to fully settle into their new home. Here are some things you can do to help them:

• Don’t overwhelm them – we know having a new furry family member is exciting, but it’s important to be calm and reassuring.
• Establish a routine. 
• Be patient, take things slow, and give them space.
• Spend quality time together. 
• Don’t make any assumptions about what your pooch pal can and can’t do.
• Never punish them for getting things wrong.
• Keep visitors to a minimum.
• Provide them with exercise and mental stimulation.
• Consider using appeasing pheromones sprays or diffusers to help calm your dog.

How to train a rescue dog

It can be difficult to know what kind of training a rescue dog has already had, so it’s a good idea to assume they’ve had none at all and start with the basics.

• Establish boundaries from the get-go.
• Use positive reinforcement and lots of praise to train your dog.
• Consider working on breaking bad habits such as food aggression and separation anxiety. 
• Remember that crate training can be a great way to help separation anxiety.
• Socialization is really important, but monitor interactions closely. 
• Don’t hesitate to sign up for training classes. 

Adopting a cat for the first time

Don’t let the excitement of bringing home a new cat stop you from being properly prepared! 

Rescue cat checklist

• Food and water bowls (separate shallow, wide dishes are preferred).
• Food – feed your feline friend the same food they ate at the animal shelter to start with. It should be age-appropriate, nutrient-rich, and free from anything they’re allergic to (if they have been diagnosed with allergies). If you decide to change their diet, speak to the vet about how to ensure a smooth transition.
• A water fountain (some cats may prefer this to a water bowl).
• Catnip.
• At least one litter box per cat (plus litter).
• A variety of toys.
• A scratching post.
• A comfortable cat bed.
• Some cozy hiding spots.
• A pet carrier.
• Grooming products.
• Pet-safe cleaning supplies.

The first night with a rescue cat 

The first night home can be unsettling for a rescue cat, so start by introducing your furry friend to just a small area.

Create a safe, cozy environment where they can find everything they need for their first night – a bed, toys, food and water bowls, and a litter box (positioned as far away from everything else as possible). You could also provide them with some hiding spots – cardboard boxes work a treat! 

Once they’re all set up, give them time to explore. If they’re meowing, this might be because they’re missing something, they want attention, or they’re feeling unsettled. Don’t worry, they should feel more at home soon.

Adopting a rescue cat: The first seven days

Give them time to explore

Let them explore at their own pace and wait for them to come to you. Simply being in the same room together can help build up your bond.

Keep them separate

It’s best to keep new furry felines separate from other pet pals for the first couple of weeks to give them time to adjust and make sure they don’t pass on any illnesses.

Stick to the same food

Changing your furry feline’s diet suddenly could make them unwell, so stick with the food they were eating at the shelter for the time being. If necessary, you can work with a vet to make gradual changes to their diet.

Keep them inside

Whether your furry feline is going to be an outdoor cat or not, it’s a good idea to keep them inside for a minimum of 3 weeks while they’re settling in (timid cats may need longer).

Take a trip to the vets

Your vet will be able to check your furry feline for health issues and make sure they’re up to date with vaccines. 

How to help a rescue cat settle in

• Establish a routine for feeding, playtime, and grooming.
• Wait for your furry feline to approach you on their own terms.
• Never force them to do anything they don’t want to. If they’re hiding, just make sure they’ve got access to food, water, and a litter box.
• Hold off on visitors for the time being.
• Provide them with toys.
• You might want to try pheromone sprays or diffusers, which can help them feel calm and more comfortable.
  

The rescue center will be able to give you more advice and additional information on how to take the best care of your rescue pet.

Meet our veterinary expert, Rebecca

This article has been checked by veterinarian Rebecca MacMillan, BVetMed MRCVS. Rebecca is a companion animal vet who has always had a passion for writing and client communication. Since her graduation from the Royal Veterinary college in 2009 she has gained a wealth of experience in first opinion small animal practice, in both clinical and managerial roles. She currently works in the South West and deals with a variety of routine and emergency appointments, but particularly enjoys medicine cases. Outside of work and writing, she enjoys spending time with her family, including her bouncy flat coated retriever George!