Everyone adores a new puppy or kitten, whether it is the sweet puppy breath or the rough kitten kisses. What should you do once you have gotten your puppy or kitten home?
What can you do to keep your new pet healthy and on track?
Click here to keep their new puppy or kitten healthy and on track. Every new puppy or kitten owner should do the following:
Veterinary Consultation
Every puppy and kitten should see a veterinarian within the first week if you move into a new home. A veterinarian will perform a standard puppy or kitten wellness examination to ensure your new companion’s health. Furthermore, if you bought your pet from a breeder, you should ensure that the breeder fulfilled all of its initial health guarantees.
Most vaccinations for both dogs and cats begin around the age of eight weeks and are administered on a schedule to ensure that all necessary vaccinations are received. Because a mother’s immunity is still active, administering shots before eight weeks is generally considered ineffective. At eight, twelve, and sixteen weeks, puppies receive a combination shot and a Rabies vaccination. Vaccinations against Bordetella, Corona, and Leptospirosis are optional, depending on the risk to your area or your dog.
A combination shot, a Feline Leukemia vaccination, and a Rabies vaccination are also administered to kittens. In addition to vaccinations, a veterinarian will examine your new puppy or kitten for various other issues. Heartworms should be checked on puppies older than six months, and older kittens should be tested for Feline Leukemia.
The first visit is also an excellent time to check for intestinal parasites like tapeworms, roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms. A stool sample or test will also rule out parasites that cause Giardia and Coccidia. Check the website of your veterinarian for more information.
Pet’s Nutrition
All puppies and kittens should be fed high-quality, age-appropriate food. Large-breed puppies should eat food tailored to their size to avoid overdevelopment. If you need help with what to feed your pet, consult with your veterinarian. You can try samples of various foods at many pet food stores.
Pets will require more than one or two meals per day for your new puppy or kitten. Most puppies need three to four meals daily, depending on their age. Kittens are similar, and you can freely feed them. Many cats enjoy free feeding because they are natural grazers who prefer to consume small amounts of food at a time. Your puppy or kitten will become lethargic if food is not distributed evenly throughout the day. You should frequently give small amounts of food to small puppies like Chihuahuas to avoid hypoglycemia.
Train Your Pet
Pet training should begin the moment your new pet arrives. Puppies should begin puppy training classes at the very least before receiving their first or second vaccination. Socialization is crucial between the ages of eight and twelve weeks. While kittens cannot attend physical training classes, they should start training for litter box use and other household rules, such as climbing on furniture, digging in plants, and biting.
You can use positive reinforcement and clickers to train kittens and cats like they can train dogs and other pets. Following a strict schedule for veterinarian visits to keep your pet up to date on vaccinations and to schedule a spay or neuter surgery by his six-month birthday will keep him on track for adulthood.
Continue socializing and training your aging puppy or kitten to avoid developing bad habits before they reach adulthood. You can even consider looking for “pet boarding near me” that way, your pet can socialize with other pets. After a year, you can switch your pet from puppy or kitten food to adult formula. Keeping all of these tips in mind as your pet ages will keep him happy and healthy on his path to adulthood.
Conclusion
Puppies and kittens are excellent house pets and the best animals for the whole family. However, before purchasing puppies or kittens for sale, consider your family and your needs. Remember that owning a pet involves a lot of responsibility, so only get puppies and kittens if you are ready.
