Bundles of Joy: The Principles of Puppy and Kitten Wellness
Bringing home a sweet and snuggly new puppy or kitten is truly a one-of-a-kind experience. Getting to know your new pet and developing that special bond fills your days and nights and makes the more tedious tasks of housetraining and pet-proofing more bearable.
Of course, your new furry family member needs so much more than just food and water to grow into a happy, thriving adult. At Sunrise Boulevard Animal Hospital, our goal is to give you the tools and support you need to provide your pet with the best life possible. Let’s start with our puppy and kitten wellness tips!
Puppy and Kitten Wellness
Your first stop on the road to puppy and kitten wellness is scheduling their first wellness exam as soon as possible after bringing them home. Besides performing a physical examination and checking for any health problems, your veterinarian will discuss any upcoming vaccination and deworming protocols you can expect. Recommendations for proper puppy and kitten nutrition, training and socialization, litter box concerns, and any other aspects of home care are also covered.
In the first year of a puppy or kitten’s life, there are typically more checkups and preventive treatments than at any other time. One of the most important components of these first few visits are vaccinations, which will ideally begin around 8 weeks. Most young pets will need 3-4 vaccines during their first year of life with yearly boosters thereafter.
Establishing a relationship with you and your pet early on is important to us. The first few puppy and kitten wellness checkups are great opportunities to bring up any questions and concerns regarding your pet’s care.
Training and Socialization
Getting your puppy or kitten used to other people and pets is critical to their future wellbeing, and showing them off is part of the fun of having a new pet! Exposing your little guy or gal (safely) to new experiences, people, places, and animals will help them become more comfortable navigating the world around them. For dogs, obedience training will further aid them in becoming less of a danger to themselves and others and more enjoyable to be around overall.
It’s important to note that until your pet is fully vaccinated, they’ll be susceptible to a large number of potentially deadly diseases. For this reason, don’t begin the socialization process until after your pet has completed all their vaccinations.
Are you ready to make an appointment for your new pet? Contact our staff to get started. We can’t wait to meet your new addition!