Pet ownership can lower blood pressure, promote weight loss, reduce loneliness, and provide a chance to socialize. That’s why it’s such a happy and memorable occasion when a new pet enters your house. However, as they adjust to their new environment, your puppy or kitten will need lots of TLC from you.
There are a few factors you’ll want to decide on and set up before the arrival of your new kitten or puppy. You’ll need to get the proper equipment, establish ground rules, plan for introductions, and book necessary vet appointments.
Proper Pet Care
There’s much to plan for before bringing home a new pet, from the ideal habitat to regular checkups for the young. Caring for a puppy or kitten can be difficult, so planning and making a checklist is a good idea.
Fortunately, we’ve outlined some of the most critical requirements for caring for a kitten or puppy:
1. Vaccinations
Many illnesses can be “temporarily” avoided by puppies and kittens thanks to the antibodies they receive from their mothers. These maternal antibodies diminish in the first few months of life, so boosting their immunity is essential.
Vaccinating your puppy or kitten protects them from severe internal conditions in dogs. Three vaccines, in total, are administered at 4-week intervals beginning at 6-8 weeks of age. Then booster shots are required every one to three years, depending on the vaccine.
2. Parasite Protection
Intestinal worms like hookworms and whipworms can be acquired from the mother or the surroundings. Starting at six weeks old, your pet will receive several dewormer doses to eliminate worms.
After being worm-free, your pet needs long-term parasite prevention. Protect your cat from heartworm disease and other parasites that can cause intestinal distress by giving them a monthly preventative treatment. In addition, a monthly flea and tick preventive will guard against external parasites that can spread tapeworms and Lyme disease.
3. Diet
Finding the right food for your new pet can be difficult, as many options are available. Food designed for your pet’s breed should comprise most of its diet. Human and other animal meals won’t nourish your growing pet. Different puppy foods for large and small breeds are made with various ingredients to promote the healthy growth of bones, joints, and muscles.
Getting advice from your vet if you’re unsure where to begin is recommended. Your pet’s age and size will be considered before they suggest a complete and balanced diet.
4. Dental Care
Brushing your pet’s teeth is an effective method to promote good oral hygiene. It’s best to start brushing your pet’s teeth more often, if you can, from an early age so that it becomes part of your pet’s routine.
Taking care of your pet’s teeth is essential to keeping them healthy overall. Pets with healthy diets and well-cared-for teeth have a lower chance of developing oral illnesses that can lead to tooth loss and painful infections if not addressed. You can also schedule a routine pet dental exam to further monitor and protect your pet’s dental health.
5. Spaying and Neutering
Having the ovaries removed from a female canine or cat prevents the onset of heat cycles and lessens the unwanted litters and undesirable behaviors that can frustrate owners. The urge to breed is lessened when the testes are taken out of male dogs and cats. This makes them less likely to wander and happier staying at home.
When female canines and cats are spayed young, it reduces their risk of developing uterine infections and breast cancer. The risks of testicular cancer and enlarged prostate organ in male pets can be reduced through neutering.
The veterinary surgery hospital recommends that cats be spayed or neutered before 5 months old, but as early as 8 weeks is considered safe. On the other hand, dogs should be spayed or neutered before 6 months old, or as early as 8 weeks in some cases, as long as they’re healthy.
Conclusion
Having a pet is a big duty. You must provide your pet with nutrition, disease prevention, dental care, and more. Taking them to the vet regularly is recommended so you and your vet can create a care plan.
