How to introduce a new pet to your household

• People in Plymouth were the most likely (61%) to say they’d always wanted more than one pet.
• 84% of Gen X (45-54-year-olds) said they were ‘fairly or very confident’ in knowing how to socialise their new and existing pets, compared to 72% of Gen Z (16-24-year-olds).
• Cat owners were slightly more likely than dog owners (43% versus 40%) to use positive reinforcement techniques to ensure a happy multi-pet household.
• People in Bristol were the most likely (66%) to say that the size of a new pet would be their biggest consideration.
• Almost a quarter (23%) of dog owners and 33% of cat owners say they wish they’d known about the cost implications of getting an additional pet.

At different stages of life, our pet ownership decisions are influenced by a range of factors – from the size of our living space (and budget) to our ability to work remotely.

Overall, the size of the pet (43%) and the pet breed and temperament (43%) were the main considerations for the pet owners we polled. But sometimes, cat and dog owners see things differently.

Dogs might be known as ‘man’s best friend’, but when it comes to getting along with each other, dogs – and indeed cats – don’t always see eye to eye. We wanted to find out how pet owners feel about making sure everyone is happy under one roof.

• 77% of pet owners told us they’re confident in their ability to socialise their pets. A quarter (25%) said they were ‘very confident’.
• Older people often expressed greater confidence. 84% of Gen X (45-54-year-olds) said they were fairly or very confident, compared to 72% of Gen Z (16-24-year-olds).
• Pet owners in the North East reported the highest net confidence levels (84%) when it comes to socialising their pets.

Most of us believe you can teach an old dog new tricks, and indeed a new dog old tricks! But of course, there are good reasons why pet owners are wary about adding a new friend to the fold.

• The top response was 'insufficient time' – 25% of pet parents said this was their biggest socialisation challenge, or potential challenge.
• The 'cost of pet parenting' was a close second. 23% said they worry "it's too expensive" (for example, to get a pet trainer) to overcome socialisation difficulties.
• Meanwhile, some pet parents worry about their knowledge and skills. 17% said they find it "too difficult" to socialise their pets; 16% said they "don't know how to", while 13% said they "lack the motivation".

Our survey found that 34% of pet owners in Greater London feel they have insufficient time to socialise their pet. Men were more likely than women (30% versus 22%) to report insufficient time.

For many pet owners we spoke to, they're not just concerned about time – but training. But do these reservations match up to the reality?

Training another dog might seem daunting, and while no one thinks it’s a walk in the park, we found some grounds for optimism.

In our survey, pet owners who are thinking about getting another dog were more likely to express worries than those who’d been there, done that.

For example, 30% of those thinking about training a new dog said they worry about ‘jealousy for my attention’. But among those who’ve actually got a new dog, just 26% described this as a worry.

Similarly, 30% of people who own just one dog worry about ‘emotional changes in pet behaviour’, versus 26% of those who already own multiple dogs.

In comparing single dog owners to multiple dog owners, this pattern was repeated elsewhere: ‘territorial behaviour’ (30% versus 28%); ‘aggression towards the new pet’ (26% versus 22%); and ‘fighting over resources’ (22% versus 21%).

It was a familiar story with cat owners, but with one exception. Those who’ve already got another cat were more likely (32%) to cite ‘aggression towards the new pet’ as a concern, compared to 28% of those considering a new cat.

By and large, pet owners told us that the reality of multi-pet ownership is less challenging than they originally feared. But does that mean getting a new pet is all plain sailing?

• New cat owners were more likely than new dog owners (33% to 23%) to say they wish they knew about the added cost of caring for another pet.
• But on the flipside, cat owners were more likely than dog owners (26% to 22%) to say they wish they knew how rewarding it is to watch their new pets bond.
• A fifth of new dog owners (20%) said they wish they knew about the additional stress, compared to 15% of new cat owners.
• And 27% of new dog owners said they wish they had known about the ‘transition period’, including a change in their own routine. A lower pro-paw-tion of cat owners (25%) gave this response.

Respondents aged 55+ were the most likely (44%) to slowly introduce their new pet to their existing pet. Regionally, pet owners in Wales were the keenest (53%) to take things slowly.

Additionally, cat owners were a tad more likely than dog owners (43% versus 40%) to use positive reinforcement techniques to make sure everyone gets along.