Caring for New Pets: Welcoming Your New Puppy or Kitten

Puppies and kittens are cute, cuddly, and FUN, but they require some very serious care to grow and thrive. Like all babies, puppies and kittens need shelter, protection, guidance, patience, and veterinarians who know how to care for them.

The professionals of Madison Veterinary Hospital know pets, and they know how to help and support owners through all the stages of their new pet’s life. Here are some simple guidelines to help you make a positive start with your young pet.

Safety—Keeping a new pet safe is the first step. This might include appropriate bedding and toys, a crate, and a baby-proofed room for your puppy or kitten. Get down on your hands and knees and look at all the hazards available to your new youngster. Electrical outlets and cords, open cabinets containing toxic cleaning supplies, small items on the floor that could cause choking, drawstrings for curtains or blinds — these are common items in every home and hazards for every pet. Take some time to baby-proof your home or at least one room where your puppy or kitten can be confined safely without supervision.

Exercise—Personal attention for exercise and play lead to the formation of the human–animal bond, so build lots of time into your daily schedule for this. Of course, playtime is the beginning of behavior training as well, introducing basic good manners and the fundamentals of potty training outside.

Visit the Dog Play website to find lots of suggested activities for behavioral training and just for fun. Some local organizations that help with behavioral training are the Kind Hearts Behavior Center for positive motivational training and the Huntsville Obedience Training Club dedicated to training your dog.

Nutrition—Growing animals need a very special diet, and we are pleased to help you choose the food that best meets the needs of your puppy or kitten. Remember to keep an abundant supply of fresh, clean water available, especially during hot or dry seasons. High quality pet treats can be purchased at your pet supply or discount stores and may be used to reinforce appropriate play and as a training aid. Never give your young pet “people food” as a treat — many human foods contain ingredients that are toxic to pets, such as chocolate and grapes. The Pet Poison Hotline has lots of information on its website and is a wonderful reference for any pet owner.

Veterinary care—The first wellness exam is a great time for us to get to know your new puppy or kitten. In the first year of life, you and your pet will have several visits to Madison Veterinary Hospital for things like vaccinations, parasite testing and treatment, spay or neuter surgery, and general information about caring for your new companion. Each visit is a wonderful opportunity to discuss and share information, as well as address any questions or concerns you may have about your pet. The chart below is an example of a new pet’s schedule of appointments.