New Puppies and Kittens: How Do You Keep Them On The Right Track?

Everyone loves a new puppy or kitten: the sweet puppy breath or rough kitten kisses. After the puppy or kitten comes home, what's next to keep them healthy?

There are a few things that every new puppy or kitten owner should do to keep the new pet healthy and on the right track:

Veterinarian Visit:

Every puppy and kitten should see the veterinarian within the first week or sooner of coming into a new home. A veterinarian will run a standard puppy or kitten wellness examination to make sure your new companion is healthy. Plus, if you have purchased your pet from a breeder, you will want to insure that the breeder has met all its initial promised health guarantees.

Most vaccinations begin around the age of eight weeks for both dogs and cats and follow a schedule to cover all the necessary vaccinations. Giving shots before eight weeks of age is mostly considered useless because a mother’s immunity is still in effect.

Puppies receive a combination shot at eight, twelve, and sixteen weeks of age along with a Rabies vaccination. Optional vaccinations, depending on the concern for your area or your dog, include Bordetella, Corona, and Leptospirosis. Kittens also receive a type of combination shot as well as a Feline Leukemia vaccination and Rabies. In addition to vaccinations, a veterinarian will check your new puppy or kitten for several other things. If your puppy is over six months of age, it should have a heartworm check-up, and older kittens should be tested for Feline Leukemia as well. The first visit is also a good time to check for intestinal parasites such as different kinds of worms like tapeworms, roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms. A stool sample or check will also rule out parasites that cause Giardhea and Coccidia. Lastly, a veterinarian will want to listen to the puppy or kitten’s heart and lungs to make sure there are no apparent murmurs or congenital defects. Some breeds of dogs have heart issues, like the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, so ruling out problems early on is vital. A good look into the eyes and nose will also indicate any traces of respiratory illness or other problems like Cherry Eye or congenital problems.

Pet Food:

All puppies and kittens should be on a high quality food appropriate for their age. Large breed puppies should use food specialized to their size to ensure they do not develop too quickly. If you are not sure what a good food would be, inquire with your veterinarian for some suggestions. Many pet food stores have samples available for you to try out different foods.

Your new puppy or kitten needs to eat more than once or twice a day. Most puppies need at least three to four meals a day, depending on their age. Kittens are similar or they may be free fed. Many cats like to free feed because they are natural grazers and like to eat small portions each time. Not enough food spread throughout the day will leave your puppy or kitten lethargic. In very tiny puppies like Chihuahuas it is important to give them small amounts of food often to avoid hypoglycemia.

Training:

Training should begin immediately for your new pet. Puppies should begin a puppy training class at least by the time of their first or second vaccination, and socialization is vital, especially during the timeframe of eight-twelve weeks of age.

Kittens, while they cannot attend a physical training class, also should start a training process for the use of their litter box as well as any other household rules like climbing on furniture, digging in plants, and biting. Kittens and cats can be trained in a similar manner to dogs and other pets using positive reinforcement and clickers.

Onto Adulthood:

Following a closely monitored schedule for veterinarian visits to keep your pet up-to-date on vaccinations and scheduling a spay or neuter surgery by your pet’s six month birthday will keep him on the right track into adulthood.

Make sure to continue with socializing and training your aging puppy or kitten and nip any bad habits in the bud before they reach adulthood.

As your pet reaches one year of age, you may switch from a puppy or kitten food to an adult formula.

Keeping all of these tips in mind as your pet ages will keep him happy and healthy along the road to adulthood.

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