There are few things quite as exciting as bringing home a new puppy or kitten. There are also few things quite as effective at turning an organised household into chaos within 24 hours.
Between the tiny teeth, midnight crying, toilet accidents and questions about food, vaccines, worms and whether that strange thing they just did is normal, the first few weeks can feel overwhelming.
The good news is that bringing home a new puppy or kitten becomes much easier when you know what to prioritise.
Start With a Veterinary Check
One of the first things we recommend after bringing home a new puppy or kitten is a veterinary examination.
Even if your new arrival appears perfectly healthy, this visit gives us an opportunity to check their heart, lungs, eyes, ears, mouth, skin, joints and general development.
Bring any vaccination or medical records you received from the breeder, rescue organisation or previous owner.
We can then establish what has already been done and plan what comes next.
Vaccinations Are a Series, Not a Single Injection
Young puppies and kittens receive some protection from antibodies passed on by their mothers. As these antibodies decline, however, youngsters become vulnerable to infectious diseases.
That is why vaccinations are generally given as a series during puppyhood or kittenhood, rather than as one injection.
The exact schedule should be tailored to your pet’s age, previous vaccinations and individual risk. Current international vaccination guidelines recommend repeated core vaccination through the period when maternal antibodies may interfere with vaccine response. WSAVA
At Cottage Vet, we’ll work out the appropriate schedule for your individual puppy or kitten.
Don’t Forget the Parasites
Puppies and kittens can carry intestinal worms even when they look healthy.
Fleas and ticks are another consideration, particularly in our climate.
Parasite products aren’t one-size-fits-all. Age and weight matter, and some products designed for dogs can be dangerous to cats. Ask us what is appropriate rather than simply reaching for whatever happens to be in the cupboard.
Food Builds More Than a Full Tummy
Nutrition during growth has long-term consequences.
Puppies and kittens need diets formulated specifically for growth, and large-breed puppies have particularly specific nutritional requirements.
When bringing home a new puppy or kitten, try not to change food abruptly on day one. Moving home is stressful enough without adding sudden dietary change and diarrhoea to the experience.
Socialisation Starts Now
Those first weeks aren’t only about physical health.
Puppies need positive, controlled exposure to different people, sounds, surfaces, environments and experiences. Kittens benefit from gentle handling, play, scratching posts, carriers and positive exposure to normal household life.
The aim isn’t to overwhelm them. It is to teach them that the world is generally a safe place.
Microchips, Sterilisation and Pet Insurance
Microchipping is one of the simplest ways to give your pet permanent identification. Remember that the chip only works effectively if your contact information is registered and kept up to date.
We can also discuss the appropriate time for sterilisation based on your pet’s sex, breed, expected adult size and individual circumstances.
And consider pet insurance early. Insurance is much easier to arrange before your pet develops a medical problem that may subsequently be excluded as a pre-existing condition.
Enjoy This Stage
When you’re sleep-deprived and cleaning another puddle off the floor, puppyhood or kittenhood can feel as though it will last forever.
It doesn’t.
Bringing home a new puppy or kitten is the beginning of what will hopefully be many years together. Getting the foundations right now – healthcare, nutrition, training, identification and preventative care – gives them the best possible start.
At Cottage Vet Clinic, we love meeting new family members. If you’ve recently welcomed a puppy or kitten, book their first health check and bring along all the questions you’ve accumulated. There really are no silly ones.
