| Everyone loves a new puppy or kitten: the sweet | | | | problems like Cherry Eye or congenital problems. |
| puppy breath or rough kitten kisses. After the puppy | | | | Pet Food: All puppies and kittens should be on a high |
| or kitten comes home, what next to keep them | | | | quality food appropriate for their age. Large breed |
| healthy? | | | | puppies should use food specialized to their size to |
| There are things that every new puppy or kitten | | | | ensure they do not develop too quickly. If you are |
| owner should do to keep the new pet healthy and | | | | not sure what a good food would be, inquire with |
| on the right track: | | | | your veterinarian for some suggestions. Many pet |
| Veterinarian Visit: Every puppy and kitten should see | | | | food stores have samples available for you to test |
| the veterinarian within the first week or sooner of | | | | out different foods. |
| coming into a new home. A veterinarian will run a | | | | Your new puppy or kitten needs to eat more than |
| standard puppy or kitten wellness examination to | | | | once or twice a day. Most puppies need at least |
| make sure your new companion is healthy. Plus, if | | | | three to four meals a day, depending on their age. |
| you have purchased your pet from a breeder, you | | | | Kittens are similar or they may be free fed. Many |
| will want to insure that the breeder has met all its | | | | cats like to free feed because they are natural |
| initial promised health guarantees. Most vaccinations | | | | grazers and like to eat small portions at a time. Not |
| begin around the age of eight weeks for both dogs | | | | enough food spread throughout the day will leave |
| and cats and follow a schedule to cover all the | | | | your puppy or kitten lethargic. In very tiny puppies |
| necessary vaccinations. Giving shots prior to eight | | | | like Chihuahuas it is important to give them small |
| weeks of age is mostly considered useless because a | | | | amounts of food often to avoid hypoglycemia. |
| mother’s immunity is still in effect. Puppies | | | | Training: Training should begin right away for your |
| receive a combination shot at eight, twelve, and | | | | new pet. Puppies should begin a puppy training class |
| sixteen weeks of age along with a Rabies | | | | at least by the time of their first or second |
| vaccination. Optional vaccinations, depending on the | | | | vaccination, and socialization is vital, especially during |
| concern for your area or your dog, include Bordetella, | | | | the timeframe of eight-twelve weeks of age. |
| Corona, and Leptospirosis. Kittens also receive a type | | | | Kittens, while they cannot attend a physical training |
| of combination shot as well as a Feline Leukemia | | | | class, also should begin a training process for the use |
| vaccination and Rabies. In addition to vaccinations, a | | | | of their litter box as well as any other household |
| veterinarian will check your new puppy or kitten for | | | | rules like climbing on furniture, digging in plants, and |
| several other things. If your puppy is over six months | | | | biting. Kittens and cats can be trained in a similar |
| of age, it should have a heartworm check-up, and | | | | manner to dogs and other pets using positive |
| older kittens should be tested for Feline Leukemia as | | | | reinforcement and clickers. |
| well. The first visit is also a good time to check for | | | | Onto Adulthood: Following a closely monitored |
| intestinal parasites such as various kinds of worms | | | | schedule for veterinarian visits to keep your pet |
| like tapeworms, roundworms, hookworms, and | | | | up-to-date on vaccinations and scheduling a spay or |
| whipworms. A stool sample or check will also rule out | | | | neuter surgery by your pet’s six month birthday |
| parasites that cause Giardhea and Coccidia. Lastly, a | | | | will keep him on the right track into adulthood. |
| veterinarian will want to listen to the puppy or | | | | Make sure to continue with socializing and training |
| kitten’s heart and lungs to make sure there are | | | | your aging puppy or kitten and nip any bad habits in |
| no apparent murmurs or congenital defects. Some | | | | the bud before they reach adulthood. |
| breeds of dogs have heart issues, like the Cavalier | | | | As your pet reaches one year of age, you may |
| King Charles Spaniel, so ruling out problems early on is | | | | switch from a puppy or kitten food to an adult |
| vital. A good look into the eyes and nose will also | | | | formula. |
| help indicate no traces of respiratory illness or other | | | | |