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Small Animal Meet and Greets During the

Holiday Season

At Chattahoochee Animal Clinic our kennels will be full and we will have informal meet and greets every day with all of our in-house vacationers. We have the luxury of a controlled environment and specialized pet handlers. However, when the kids come home to Roswell for the holidays...mom and dad's house will not have this luxury. So, the resident cat or small dog may have a bit of anxiety when the unruly labrador comes to visit. 

Meet-n-Greets are the perfect opportunity for guests pets and host pets to meet in person. There are several factors involved when deciding if a guest pup is the right fit for a host’s environment, including how well a pup gets along with other animals. Although a wiggly Dachshund may get along great with a sweet Bernese Mountain Dog, he may not get along with your cute Tabby cat. When other small animals are present in your household, it’s important to introduce your potential furry guest to these animals.

Whether rabbits, cats, guinea pigs, ferrets, hamsters or chinchillas are beloved members of the family in your household, it’s important to keep an open communication with your potential guest. Always let the guest know what other pets will be present during their dog’s vacay and be sure to introduce the two during your Meet-n-Greet. No matter how careful you are or what precautions you take, sometimes the guest pup and small animal, just won’t be friends. On the other hand, they could become BFFs or learn to tolerate each other. The outcome of the Meet-n-Greet will ultimately depend on the pet’s introduction and their individual personalities. Here are some tips on how to safely introduce your small animal to a potential guest dog. Of course, if you have any questions or this meet-n-greet does not go as planned, please give us a call at Chattahoochee Animal Clinic for advice or boarding arrangements. 

1. Keep the Meet-n-Greet Inside

Most Meet-n-Greets should first take place in a neutral environment where both canines can get acquainted with one another, but with small animals, it’s best to conduct the Meet-n-Greet inside your home. The guest should keep their pup on a short leash (no longer than 4 feet) at all times, never letting the the pup roam freely. Always be cautious, proceeding slowly and paying close attention to both animal’s body language.

2. Keep the Guest Pup Distracted

With tasty treats within reach, the pet parent should sit on the opposite end of the room, keeping the guest pup engaged. The pet parent should also ask the dog to sit, stay and perform other other commands to keep the pup’s interest. If the pup is more interested in the small animal, the pet parent should use treats to entice the pup.

3. Moving Closer

Once the pet parent has the pup’s full attention allow them to move a few feet closer to the small animal. If the pup is calm and showing minimal interest in the small animal, safely allow the small animal to move freely around the room. If the small animal attempts to approach the pup, move the small animal away as the dog may become territorial, especially if treats are present.

4. Allow the Pets to Meet

Pay close attention to the pup’s body language. If the guest pup shows extreme fixation on the small animal, has raised hair or noticeable anxiety, do not allow the pets to move closer towards one another. If the guest pup seems comfortable, the pet parent should stand up and allow the pup to sniff around with a firm hold on the leash. The pet parent should continue to speak to the pup, making sure the pup is alert and listening. While the pup is sniffing the small animal, the pet parent should grab the pup’s attention several times, making sure the pup is listening to commands.

Introducing a small animal to a potential guest pup may seem scary, which is why it’s very important to take the right measures to ensure both pets’ safety. Knowing and understanding the personality and breed of the guest pup is equally important, so be sure to speak with your guest about this before your Meet-n-Greet. Proceed slowly and use your best judgment to determine if the guest pup is a good fit for your home. If there isn’t time for a Meet-n-Greet and you’re unsure of a pup’s reaction to small animals it may be easiest to keep them separated during the vacay.

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Our Regular Schedule

Chattahoochee Animal Clinic

Monday

8:00 am - 6:00 pm

Tuesday

8:00 am - 6:00 pm

Wednesday

8:00 am - 6:00 pm

Thursday

8:00 am - 6:00 pm

Friday

8:00 am - 6:00 pm

Saturday

8:00 am - 1:00 pm

Sunday

Closed

Chattahoochee Animal Clinic

Monday
8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Tuesday
8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Wednesday
8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Thursday
8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Friday
8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Saturday
8:00 am - 1:00 pm
Sunday
Closed