New Puppy & Kitten Program
Your New Puppy!
The joy of welcoming a puppy to your family is a feeling that is difficult to express in words. A new puppy, as time goes on will eventually become a member of your family and for most people, they become overwhelmed with emotions without considering the logical aspect of having a puppy.
Though the experience of having a puppy can forge stronger emotional bonds and even unite families closer, neglecting the overall well-being of your puppy could result in a tragic end. Therefore, before making a decision to get a puppy one has to be informed and consider a number of things.
The costs of owning a puppy
Before considering getting a puppy it is imperative that you be aware of how costly it will be. Making a rash and impulsive decision would be irresponsible.
From the moment you get a puppy right until it’s inevitable death you will have to provide for it.
The need of a proper diet, a decent shelter for it to live in, getting food and water bowls, a collar and possibly even toys are some of the general expenses you will have.
However, other ongoing costs are attributed to services provided by vets such as vaccinations (which is done through-out the life of the pet), providing training and consultations for your puppy, microchipping or even getting insurance for emergency care could be just some of the costs associated with caring for your new pet.
Vaccinations
This undoubtably is one of the most important requirements for your puppy. Not only for the fact that it is a mandatory requirement by law in most places but most importantly it will reduce your puppy’s risk when it comes to many infectious and deadly diseases. Puppies carry a lot of risk in contracting disease especially when they are young and have not built-up immunity.
As the puppy gets older it will require less vaccinations but at the start, they do require a regime of vaccinations to build up their immunity. They will also require boosters throughout their life.
Microchipping
Should you as a pet owner have fears that your puppy might get lost or even worse stolen, than microchipping provides the best solution to solving such fears. Microchips also act as your pet’s personal identification that will have all your information in regard to your cell number, address or other details as the owner listed in a central database.
Imbedding a microchip in your pet is affordable and very beneficial should your pet go missing. Anyone scanning the animal will pick up on the ID and be able to contact you to return your pet. Veterinary clinics, SPCA, animal shelters etc all have scanners to help find lost pets should one be brought to their premise.
Parasite control
Your puppy will unavoidably come into contact with fleas and ticks during their lifetime. These parasites are known to be constant issue and will need to be controlled throughout the life of your pet.
Some medication for preventing and controlling fleas and ticks can be given orally through the mouth in the form of chewables or pills. Topical treatment on the other hand is applied directly on the body of the puppy in the form of ointments, creams and lotions. Nonetheless this treatment wears off in time and reapplication of the treatment would be needed.
Your puppy would also need to be de-wormed regularly to ensure they are free of internal parasites as well.
Nutritional requirements
The variety of food available for puppies is vast, however, at certain ages of the puppy’s life it would require a different nutrition and depending on the breed may require additives. Certain pets may also have to be on specific diets to assist with potential health conditions. Providing your pet with the correct diet will help keep it strong and resistant to illness, increasing the life span and also provide a shiny coat and strong teeth for your puppy.
With the addition of a puppy to your family the onus falls fully on the owner, to take care of your puppy. These loving animals depend on you for their everyday needs and healthcare.
Speak to your vet about the regimes needed for a puppy to ensure the best possible life for your new furry pal.
Training and puppy school
In the initial first few months a puppy’s life it will require some sort of training and guidance to help improve the owner and pet bond and create a better adult dog.
Puppies would require potty training, teaching of basic commands, socialisation with other dogs and humans, collar and lead training and even travelling in a car.
Early training results in far less problems in adult dogs and creates a better bond between the owner and the pet. Puppy school should be considered to help make your puppy more obedient and sociable and a joy to have around.
Emergency services
In the tragic event that should your pet become injured or suffer any type of illness, your vet has services can help in dealing with any type of illness or injury your puppy will sustain. With the advancements of technology and sophistication in equipment used at vets the health and recovery of your pet is a lot more likely.
Fortunately, should you as a pet owner decide to get pet insurance, this will help in easing the financial burden on you if such unfortunate events as illness or injury does occur in the future to your puppy.
Choosing a vet that offers emergency services can be very important in the event of your puppy getting injured or ill outside of office hours.
Your New Kitten!
The cute and adorable kitten that will soon become a member of your family, will require more than simply your affection and attention.
Making the necessary provisions for your kitten is crucial to ensuring the health, safety and overall well-being of your kitten. Having a kitten though could be a costly affair, with the purchasing of a litter box, proper dietary requirements, kitten toys, collar and ID tags. Further expenses will include surgery options, consultations or check-ups, veterinary medicine, deworming, vaccination, microchipping and other services provided by vets for your kitten.
Kitten care and training
Once you have made the decision of getting a kitten, training and socializing your kitten should be one of your top priorities.
Litter box training, reinforcing boundaries and household rules are some of the training that both you and your kitten can benefit from. The sooner your kitten begins training the more well-mannered it will become as it grows older, making the pet and owner relation better.
Your vet can offer some valuable advise on training and socialising your kitten.
Your kitten’s well-being
Taking care of your kitten is more than just ensuring they have food to eat and toys to play with.
You need to ensure they are free of parasites internally and externally as well as being checked regularly for other issues. Your vet can assist with de-worming schedules, tick and flea control and annual check-ups.
Much like people, kittens may need dental care which can help in preventing your kitten from getting oral diseases.
Taking care of these issues will help in the longevity and health of your kitten while also protecting you from being beset by niggling bug bites.
Nutritional needs
Emphasis is often placed on the importance of getting proper nutrition for all phases in your kitten’s life cycle.
Vets are equipped with detailed information on the best diet for your kitten during their life, the ideal health snacks and importantly what to avoid feeding your cat. However, you will often also be advised on what to remove from your house such as poisonous plants to avoid your kitten biting or eating anything that could pose a risk to its health.
Fortunately, some vets may also take the initiative of creating a custom nutritional program that will take into consideration things like the size, weight, previous medical conditions and overall well-being of your kitten.
A well-balanced diet for your kitten will aid in growth and development, especially during the first few months of life. However, a proper nutritional diet should also provide energy, strengthen the immune system and be easily digestible for your cat.
Vaccinations and microchipping
Depending on the age of your kitten, vets will often recommend vaccination protocols you need to adhere to. The option of microchipping your kitten can also be a consideration should you have concerns that your kitten may get lost or wander away. Speak to your vet about a vaccination regime to ensure your kitten is adequately protected against potential contagious diseases in the area you live in as well as on-going boosters to maintain their immunity.
The joy and love you will experience from having a kitten will be incomparable. Undoubtably you will want to hold and play with your kitten and enjoy the cuddles. Just remember that you are responsible for all the needs of your kitten. Therefore, to ensure that you enjoy the furry companionship of your kitten for a long time prioritise its health and visit your local vet.
Emergency care and surgery
Although this is something we don’t generally like to think about, there may be times you kitten may need emergency care or surgery.
It is important to choose your vet by ensuring they have the facilities to assist in a time of dire need. A vet will generally have a thorough and detailed plan for dealing with situations such as these where your kitten may need to be attended to outside of normal consultation hours.
