When we think of spring time we think of flowers, rain, warm weather, and puppies and kitties! Our team loves spring time for just this reason because baby pets start to make their way through the clinic doors. Although cute, fur babies are a lot of work and we compiled a list for things to consider to be better prepared for the new addition!
- Have a place in the household where the new furbaby can be without getting into trouble while you are away.
- For puppies, a kennel or gated off area that the puppy can be before they are fully house trained/trusted to have full run of the house
- For kitties, a spare room for the first few weeks so that they can be litterbox trained and have a quiet area to retreat to. Just like puppies, kittens can get into trouble too, finding things to chew on/climb while you are away.
- Plenty of toys for those teething mouths!
- When your kitten/puppy is reaching and chewing something they should not, switch it out for one of their own toys you want them to chew on. For finger chewers, make sure to have a toy with you that you can place in their mouths instead of your fingers.
- Dewormer
- Many puppies/kittens are born with parasites. The cute round bellies we see on young pets can indicate they may have worms!
- Getting your new pet dewormed is not only essential to their health, but to you and your family as some parasites can be passed on to humans.
- We recommend a wellness exam (with your Veterinarian) when you first adopt your pet and at this time they can give a dose of dewormer.
- Vaccines
- Vaccines are essential to prevent serious diseases in your new pet. It is very important to avoid dog parks, kennels, unvaccinated animals, and unknown outdoor areas until your pet is fully vaccinated.
- When you adopt your new pet, make sure to get the vaccine status from the shelter/breeder to know if they need a booster of their vaccines. In most cases and depending on the age of the new pet, you may need a second or third set of vaccines to bring them to a fully vaccinated status.
- If you are unsure about the vaccine status of your new pet, your veterinary team will be here to help!
- Pet Insurance
- Even when you do all that you can, young pets can still get themselves into trouble. Getting pet insurance can help make difficult financial decisions not so difficult. Many Pet insurance companies offer a trial period (etc. 6 weeks) to decide if pet insurance is right for you and your pet.
- Once your pet gets a health check, you can be signed up for pet insurance right away!
- Call our Cypress View Vet team for more information on pet insurance. It can be difficult with so many companies to choose from, and with your pet’s unique needs, we can help you determine which is best!
- Puppy/Kitten proof your home
- Pick up anything that is harmful to chew on or not supposed to be chewed on. Some examples include: Shoes, socks, dirty laundry, hair elastics, sewing supplies, loose cords, small toys…the list can go on!
- Our team has seen their fair share of young pets swallowing things they should not have, and in some cases require surgery to remove the foreign object.
- Take a walk around your house daily before letting your young pet roam the household and pick up/ put away anything they can get their little teeth on!
- If your pet is going after something that cannot be put away (etc. T.V. cords, wooden chair legs, etc.) bitter apple spray can help to deter them from trying to chew on that object.
- Pheromone collars/diffusers
- When we take a new pet away from what they are familiar with and place them into a completely new environment it will be stressful. Pheromone collars such as Adaptil and pheromone diffusers such as Feliway can help with the stressful transition period and help your new pet feel secure and content in their new home.
- Probiotics
- Probiotics added to your puppy/kitten’s food for the first couple of weeks can help in a number of ways:
- Helps with the transition of the new food you may be switching them onto
- Boosts their immune system
- Helps with overall intestinal health as stress can cause gut issues
- Probiotics added to your puppy/kitten’s food for the first couple of weeks can help in a number of ways:
- Consider your work schedule and time with your new pet
- Your new puppy will yearn to be with you all the time and will need to urinate/defecate more often than an older dog. If the puppy is going to be staying in a crate, it will need to be let out or it will accidently soil itself. A general rule is a puppy can hold its bladder for as many hours as they are months old, plus one (A 3-month-old puppy could potentially hold its bladder for 4 hours). But in most cases, after the 2-hour mark, they will need to relieve themselves.
- If applicable, adopting your new pet on a weekend or taking some time off from work to bond with your new pet, and to take time to properly train them to accept a crate would be ideal to avoid coming home from work to a messy puppy.
- If you are unable to leave work during the day, consider having someone in the family or a pet sitter service to check in on the new pet to make sure they are able to go to the bathroom and have some play time during the day.
- Patience
- Training a new baby pet can be frustrating at times, but lots of treats, repetition, and patience is key.
- Scolding a young pet for urinating/defecating in the house or outside the litterbox only makes them fearful of you and they cannot understand what they did wrong.
- Reward them with treats when they do something right (positive reinforcement)
At Cypress View Vet, we are here for you and your new pet! Please get in touch with us when you are thinking of adopting or have adopted your new fur baby, as we want to help you get them off to a healthy and happy start!
