When to Call the Vet or a Pro During Your Rescue Pet's First Weeks

A lot of what you see in the first weeks with a rescue pet is normal adjustment: hiding, eating a bit less, sleeping a lot, a potty accident or two. But some things aren't just adjustment, and knowing when to call a vet or a trainer is one of the most useful skills a new adopter can have.

This article matches page 27 (Two-week check-in) and page 28 (Vet & trainer contacts) of the free First Night Home 14-Day Planner, and Video Guide 13.

The basic rule

Health first. If anything about your pet's health worries you, call your veterinarian. Behavior changes can have medical causes, so a vet is often the right first call even for what looks like a behavior problem. Cornell Feline Health Center makes exactly this point about cats that stop using the litter box: rule out medical causes first.

Then behavior. For fear, aggression, separation distress or problems that aren't improving, a qualified trainer or behavior professional can help. Some cases also benefit from a veterinary behaviorist.

Call your vet: health signs

Call your veterinarian if your pet:

• Isn't eating for more than a day, or a cat isn't eating at all. Don't wait to see if they get hungry enough
• Isn't drinking, or is drinking much more than usual
• Has repeated vomiting or diarrhea, or blood in vomit, stool or urine
• Is coughing, sneezing a lot, or has discharge from eyes or nose
• Seems lethargic, weak or in pain
• Is limping or has trouble getting up
• (Cats) isn't using the litter box, strains, makes many trips or cries in the box (Guide 11)

Go to an emergency clinic or call now

Don't wait for an appointment if your pet:

• Has trouble breathing
• Collapses or can't stand
• Has a seizure
• May have eaten something toxic, such as a toxic plant, medication, chocolate, grapes or xylitol. Call your vet, an emergency clinic or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center
• Is straining to urinate and producing little or nothing
• Has been injured, such as a fall or being hit by a car

Keep these numbers on page 28 of the planner so you can reach them fast.

Call a trainer or behavior pro

Many behavior problems are common and workable with good help. Consider a qualified, reward-based trainer or behavior professional if:

• Your dog growls, snaps or bites, or your cat swats or bites in ways that worry you
• Your pet guards food, toys or spaces (Guide 5)
• Your dog shows intense distress when left alone, such as howling, escape attempts or destruction. The ASPCA describes separation anxiety and recommends working on it rather than punishing it
• Your dog barks or lunges at other dogs, people or vehicles on walks (Guide 9)
• Introductions with other pets aren't going well, or there has been a fight (Guide 8)
• Fear isn't getting better after several weeks

It's fine to call the shelter or rescue too. Many have behavior support for adopters and can share what they know about your pet. In Las Vegas, The Animal Foundation's Pet Resource Center offers resources for pet owners.

What's usually normal

These are common during decompression (Guides 3 and 4) and usually improve with time and a calm routine:

• Hiding, especially for cats
• Eating less on the first day or two (but see the vet signs above)
• Sleeping a lot
• Mild whining or pacing at night
• A few potty accidents for dogs
• Chewing, scratching, zoomies and other normal species habits, given safe outlets

The ASPCApro 3-3-3 guide is a useful frame: many pets are overwhelmed in the first days, start to settle over the first weeks and feel at home around three months.

The two-week check-in

Page 27 of the planner is a two-week check-in. After 14 days of tracker notes, you look at the whole picture:

• Is your pet eating, drinking and using the potty area or litter box normally?
• Is sleep settling?
• Are you seeing more relaxed body language?
• What's going well?
• What still worries you?

If a worry is about health, call your vet. If it's about behavior and isn't improving, call a trainer or behavior professional. If everything is moving in the right direction, keep going. Many pets need more than two weeks.

How to make the call useful

Bring or describe your tracker notes. Note what happened, when, how often and what came before it. A short phone video of a behavior can help a vet or trainer understand what you're seeing. Then ask questions until you understand, as the AVMA suggests.

Choosing a trainer or behavior professional

Look for someone who uses reward-based methods and avoids pain, fear or intimidation. Ask how they would approach your pet's issue, whether they work with rescue animals, and how they coordinate with your vet. Your vet or the shelter can often recommend someone. For complex cases, ask your vet about a veterinary behaviorist.

Don't wait out of worry about overreacting

Vets and trainers would much rather hear from you early. Calling is not a failure. It's part of caring for a new pet. This guide is general education only, not veterinary or behavioral advice.

Common questions

Sources

Checked October 24, 2026. This guide summarizes public guidance from these organizations; it is not veterinary advice.

1. Cornell Feline Health Center, Feline Behavior Problems: House Soiling
2. ASPCA, Separation Anxiety
3. ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center
4. ASPCA, People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets
5. ASPCApro, Pet Adjustment Periods: 3 Days, 3 Weeks, 3 Months
6. AVMA, Ways to Make Veterinary Visits Better for Everyone
7. The Animal Foundation (Las Vegas), Pet Resource Center
8. Nebraska Humane Society, Why Is My Cat Hiding?