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New Pet Care: Best Practices for your New Puppy or Kitten

Seeing a puppy’s tail wag or hearing a kitty’s soothing purr can make you forget that new puppy care and new kitten care takes time, patience and hard work. It is important to consider all the factors involved with bringing a new puppy or kitten into your home. Here are a few questions to contemplate:
  • Do you have the space needed for the type of pet or breed? If you rent a home or apartment are pets allowed?
  • What are your reasons for wanting the pet? Is your family on board with the new pet and willing to pitch in?
  • Does anyone in the household have pet allergies?
  • Will the type of pet and breed harmonize with your lifestyle?
  • Do you live in a pet-friendly neighborhood? Is your backyard pet-friendly?

  • Where will you go for preventative and wellness care?
  • If you travel a lot, what care options do you have while you’re away from home?
  • Do you have small children to consider?
  • Do you have other pets to consider?
  • Have you budgeted for food, healthcare, preventative vaccinations and medicines, toys, furniture, litter/litter box, etc.?

Step 1: Pet Proofing Your Home 

Once you have thought about the commitment and patience that comes with owning a new pet and you have decided to go for it, your next step is pet-proofing your home. Start by cleaning your house. Pick up any clutter or fragile items. Tape all electrical cords together and elevate plants and household chemicals. New puppies and kittens are very curious and love to explore new places and scents. They like to grab everything they deem entertaining. Puppies like to chew so make sure nice things, such as your shoes, are picked up and put away in places pups can’t reach. Check the backyard for any hazards such as poisonous plants and kid toys. If you have a backyard fence, be sure to fix any broken boards or fence gaps so puppy stays in the backyard and out of the street.

Step 2: Decide what to feed your new puppy or kitten (Kibbles VS Pate)

Either way, it should be formulated for puppies and kittens, not adults.

The next important step to new puppy care or new kitten care is to determine what kind of food to feed your puppy or kitten. With so many options on the market it can be a confusing and overwhelming decision. Here are a few tips to think about when choosing the right food.
Puppy/Kitten Food vs Adult Dog/Cat Food

Start your new pet on puppy and kitten food rather than adult since it contains more protein and double the calories to support their growing body. About half the calories they consume is spent on tissue growth and development and the other half is spent on running, jumping and playing. Once they reach the one year mark, you can slowly transition your puppy or kitty to adult food. During the first transition week, be sure to spread out the process by gradually adding adult food to puppy food. By the end of the week puppy or kitty will have developed a new taste for the adult food and your transition will be complete. If you have concerns, check with the veterinarians at Chipman Road Animal Clinic for their recommendation.

Wet Food vs Dry Food Debate

How to decide on the best food for your little one? There are many opinions about the wet-food-vs-dry-food debate. Let us check out the pros and cons of both. 
Wet Food Pros
  • good source of hydration especially if your puppy or kitten doesn’t drink as much water as it needs to stay hydrated
  • can contain higher levels of animal based proteins 
  • wet food is easier for puppies and kitties to eat since they have smaller mouths
  • it has a richer scent and flavor which most puppies and kitties prefer

Wet Food Cons
  • it can spoil quickly after it is opened
  • it can be messy
  • can be more expensive
  • comes in smaller portions so have to buy more frequently

Dry Food Pros
  • easier to store
  • can buy in bulk
  • left out for longer periods without fear of spoiling
  • can be used as a reward when training
  • helps keep teeth strong
  • less expensive

Dry Food Cons
  • less moisture and water than wet food
  • can contain lower levels of animal based protein
  • can be less appealing to your pet’s taste buds 

How to make the final decision? Why does this even matter?

As long as your pet’s food contains quality ingredients without too much rice or other carbohydrates, either choice is a good choice. A great option is to mix a little wet food into a bowl of dry food for a delicious taste of both worlds!

Still not sure? Ask the vets at Chipman Road Animal Clinic for recommendations on the best food for your new puppy or kitten.
kitten peeking out from a blanket
black and white puppy in man's arm
kitten sleeping on its back
french bulldog puppy sleeping in woman's arm

Step 3: Shopping for Your New Puppy or Kitten

Before going to the store, create a list of items you will need for your new puppy or new kitten: 

Shopping List Ideas for Puppies:



  • Food
  • Treats
  • Food and water bowls 
  • Travel crate (plastic or wire)
  • Soft blanket
  • Dog bed
  • Chew toys
  • Rawhide treats
  • Collar, leash and tag
  • Nail clipper
  • Dog shampoo
  • Dog brush and comb
  • Pet odor neutralizer
  • Poop bags
  • Pee pads
  • Puppy gate

 

Shopping List Ideas for Kittens:
  • Food 
  • Treats
  • Food and water bowls
  • Litter box, litter scooper and litter
  • Bed
  • Fuzzy blanket
  • Cat toys including a toy mouse (check out the electronic mice!)
  • Brush and comb
  • Collar and tag
  • Nail clippers
  • Scratching pad
  • Cat tree
  • Cat carrier

Step 4: Bringing Home Your Kitten or Puppy! 

kitten laying in sunlight on steps

Bringing Kitten Home: They make the best listening companions

When you are ready to bring home your kitten you will want to transport them in your new cat carrier. Line your carrier with a warm blanket. Most kittens are nervous traveling in a car and the blanket provides them with a sense of security and keeps them warm. Bring cat treats or a small bag of dry food to help build trust. You don’t want to give them too much in case they get car sick. Bring a shoe box filled with kitty litter so they can go to the bathroom. Place them in the box and if they don’t dig into the litter, take their front paw and gently dig with it. Cats instinctively bury their waste so your kitty should pick up the habit after a few times.

Once your kitty arrives home, open the door of the carrier so they can come out on their own. It may take a little time for kitty to get the nerve to leave the carrier but once they do, they need space to get use to their new surroundings. If you have young children, show them the proper way to hold kitty without squeezing. Have the children extend their hand so kitty can smell it and learn their scent. Soon kitty will be comfortable with the whole family and ready to provide lots of love and entertainment.

puppy in santa hat

Bringing Your Puppy Home: Planting the seeds of a loyal relationship.

When it is time to bring a puppy home you need a crate to transport them. Measure and weigh your pup before selecting the best sized crate for him. Plastic crates are generally easier to carry smaller dogs and the area inside the crate is dark and can give the dog a sense of comfort and privacy. The wire crates are best for larger dogs because they are roomier and can expand as the dog continues to grow.  

Bring along a travel kit made up of: blankets and towels, leash, treats, chew toy, wet wipes and poop bags. A little planning will reduce the stress if your puppy has an accident. A security blanket or treat can be a comfort for a puppy. An extra passenger makes the car ride smoother by sitting next to puppy and petting them while talking in a low soothing voice. Don’t give your puppy a full meal before the car ride home in case they become car sick. If you have a long trip, don’t forget to stop for potty breaks.

Once you’ve arrived home, give your puppy the freedom to move around and explore. Put down pee pads so you can protect your floors in case of an accident. Installing an indoor pet gate can keep your puppy contained to one room or separate them from infants or other pets. Introduce little kids slowly by letting your puppy sniff their hand. Puppy might be a little timid in their new space and little kids tend to get very excited and could scare them by shouting at them or running towards them or holding them too tightly. Teach them the proper way to pet the puppy and discourage toddlers from picking them up until they are older. This helps your puppy adjust to his new surroundings and gives him the security to build a bond with each family member which will last a lifetime.


Step 5: Veterinarian Care

kitten sitting on wood floor
During their first week you will want to bring puppy or kitty into the local veterinarian. Chipman Road Animal Clinic is an affordable vet care clinic with a mission to provide the highest quality healthcare for every pet. Our office hours are designed to work around your busy schedule and we require no appointments. Appointments are only necessary for Dental Cleaning or surgery.  

A great way to identify lost pets.

Chipman Road Animal Clinic believes in microchipping your puppy or kitten as soon as possible. Microchipping is a way to tap into a permanent identification system for your pet. A microchip is very small, about the size of a grain of rice and it is implanted under your pet’s skin between the shoulder blades. Each microchip has your pet’s identification that corresponds to a national pet database. Most veterinarian clinics and animal shelters have special scanners that can read information on the microchip to identify the pet and unite you with your lost pet. Chipman Road Animal Clinic can microchip your puppy or kitten.

During your first vet visit, your veterinarian will perform a comprehensive physical exam by examining their ears, eyes, head, mouth, teeth, heart, lungs, coat, skin, abdominal, rectal and weight. Like young children, puppies and kitties need several sets of vaccinations and boosters to stay healthy.  

What shots does my puppy need?

As the natural immunity provided by their mother’s milk tapers off, puppies become susceptible to infections diseases. To provide protection against diseases for the first few months of a puppy’s life a series of puppy shots are scheduled – generally about 3-4 weeks apart. For most puppies, the final puppy shot in the series is administered at the age of 12-16 weeks old. To read more about puppy vaccinations, see our pet vaccination page. You can also call Chipman Road Animal Clinic at 816-524-1886 with any questions about puppy vaccinations. 

What shots does my kitten need?

Very young kittens are also susceptible to infectious diseases especially as their natural immunity provided in their mother’s milk tapers off. Usually by the time your kitten is eight weeks old, your kitten should see your pet vet at Chipman Road Animal Clinic for low cost kitten vaccinations. All kittens should receive kitten vaccinations for feline rabies, upper respiratory infections and distemper. If any cats in your home spend time outside, you should also protect your kitten with the feline leukemia vaccine. 

For more information on vaccines for your new kitten, please see our kitten vaccinations page or call Chipman Road Animal Clinic at 816-524-1886.
two pups sitting in a hammock

When is the optimal time for puppy neutering or puppy spay?

Typically the traditional age for puppy spay or puppy neutering is six to nine months but puppies as young as eight weeks old can be neutered as long as they are healthy. 
kitten lying in bed

When to neuter a kitten or optimal time for kitten spay?

It is generally safe for kitten neutering or kitten spay as young as eight weeks old. To avoid the start of urine spraying and eliminate the chance of pregnancy, it is best to schedule the kitten spay before the cat reaches five months of age. 

Benefits of spaying and neutering your kitten and puppy!

Studies have shown that neutering a puppy or kitty can prevent breast and testicular cancer and some prostate problems. Neutering your pets stop the desire to breed, and also helps eliminate roaming, fighting and the desire to mark their territory. Need another great reason to spay or neuter? Spay and neutering your pet helps reduce pet overpopulation. Chipman Road Animal Clinic can help determine the best time to get your pet spayed or neutered.

See our blog post all about the benefits of spaying and neutering your pets for more information: 

Why to Spay and Neuter Your Pets

By Chipman Pet Vet • December 28, 2017
You just got a new puppy or kitten and you're wondering if you should get him/her spayed or neutered? Chipman Road explains the benefits.
That’s not all…
The veterinarians at Chipman Road Animal Clinic can also discuss other preventative care for your new pet including: deworming, flea and heartworm control, fecal exams, diagnostic testing, adult and annual vaccinations and more!

Step 6: Training Your Puppy and Kitten Basic Manners

How you can actually teach your puppy basic manners. It is never too late to teach a young dog old tricks! 

It is important to teach your puppy for basic manners at a young age with positive reward based training. Dog training includes the basics such as potty and crate training to tricks such as crawl, high five and roll-over. Training your puppy requires common sense and plenty of patience. If you don’t want your dog lying on the sofa, never allow them on the sofa in the first place. Make sure the entire family is enforcing the rules to avoid confusion. The quickest way to train them to stay off furniture is to say no as they jump up, not after they land. Then take the puppy by the collar and gently direct him to the floor. If your puppy jumps at guest, have the guest turn their back while folding their arms and saying no. Try this tip to get your puppy to sit: hold a treat slightly over and behind the snout and your puppy will more than likely automatically sit. If you want to teach your puppy their name, repeat the following while inserting your puppy’s name: Fido, hello Fido, come here Fido, who’s a good Fido? You’re a good Fido. By using lots of positive reinforcement, high praise and a treat, you can teach your puppy good manners and basic commands.

If you are having trouble training your puppy, try researching trainers and dog training classes offered in your local area. An expert dog trainer can make learning manners and commands fun and effective. These classes are offered in groups or private classes. Be sure your trainer uses positive reinforcement in their classes.

kitten nuzzling dog
The best part…kittens can be trained to do commands too! 

Kittens can also be trained to do commands by motivating them with tasty treats. Training your kitten to “stay” “come” or “down” can be useful towards correcting bad behavior. By rewarding your cat with a treat each time, your cat will get used to receiving treats for specific behaviors. Negative punishment and scolding are not healthy for kittens or puppies and should never be used. Use only positive reinforcement when working with your kitty. Repeat the training process a few times so the kitten will know the reason they are being rewarded. Start with one command at a time and limit your sessions so you don’t wear them out. Repeat the training daily so kitty doesn’t forget what he just learned.         

How you can actually teach your puppy basic manners. It is never too late to teach a young dog old tricks! 

It is important to teach your puppy for basic manners at a young age with positive reward based training. Dog training includes the basics such as potty and crate training to tricks such as crawl, high five and roll-over. Training your puppy requires common sense and plenty of patience. If you don’t want your dog lying on the sofa, never allow them on the sofa in the first place. Make sure the entire family is enforcing the rules to avoid confusion. The quickest way to train them to stay off furniture is to say no as they jump up, not after they land. Then take the puppy by the collar and gently direct him to the floor. If your puppy jumps at guest, have the guest turn their back while folding their arms and saying no. Try this tip to get your puppy to sit: hold a treat slightly over and behind the snout and your puppy will more than likely automatically sit. If you want to teach your puppy their name, repeat the following while inserting your puppy’s name: Fido, hello Fido, come here Fido, who’s a good Fido? You’re a good Fido. By using lots of positive reinforcement, high praise and a treat, you can teach your puppy good manners and basic commands.

If you are having trouble training your puppy, try researching trainers and dog training classes offered in your local area. An expert dog trainer can make learning manners and commands fun and effective. These classes are offered in groups or private classes. Be sure your trainer uses positive reinforcement in their classes.

The best part…kittens can be trained to do commands too! 

Kittens can also be trained to do commands by motivating them with tasty treats. Training your kitten to “stay” “come” or “down” can be useful towards correcting bad behavior. By rewarding your cat with a treat each time, your cat will get used to receiving treats for specific behaviors. Negative punishment and scolding are not healthy for kittens or puppies and should never be used. Use only positive reinforcement when working with your kitty. Repeat the training process a few times so the kitten will know the reason they are being rewarded. Start with one command at a time and limit your sessions so you don’t wear them out. Repeat the training daily so kitty doesn’t forget what he just learned.         


Read more about when to start training your puppy on the Chipman Pet Vet blog!

When should you start training your new puppy?

By Chipman Pet Vet • January 9, 2019
When is the best time to start training your puppy? The short answer, now. Read more on the Chipman Road Animal Clinic blog.

At the end of the day...

Whether you’ve adopted your puppy or kitten from a shelter or purchased it from a breeder or an individual, your new pet depends on you for love, shelter, food, water and exercise. But the love and companionship they give back to you is everlasting!

To learn more about new puppy care or new kitten care services, call Chipman Road Animal Clinic today or come visit us.

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