Welcoming a puppy or kitten into your home has got to be one of the most exciting and special moments. There’s a lot you can do to prepare for your new arrival and also so much to consider in the first few days, weeks and months to ensure he or she is happy and healthy. Let’s walk through the most important aspects of puppy and kitten care.
The essential New Pet Checklist
We’re going to delve into some detail in this article but we’ve also put together this handy New Pet Checklist. It’s a helpful guide that covers everything you need for your puppy or kitten. Take it to an Absolute Pets store and if you purchase 8 or more items from the list you’ll receive R100 off your purchase. Download it here.
Puppy or kitten proofing your home
Before your little one arrives, walk around your home with puppy/kitten-proofing goggles on. Stash any electrical cords or tech, high up, beyond their reach in case they choose to scratch or chew. Pack away children’s toys and any special or breakable items to limit any collateral damage as they explore the new space. Make sure there are also no poisonous houseplants, medicines or cleaning products within easy access. In many ways, you need to imagine a toddler is about to be set free!
A warm, safe space of their own
It’s natural for your puppy or kitten to be somewhat overwhelmed in the first few days as he or she gets to know you; and therefore it’s important to do whatever you can to make them feel secure and comfortable in your home.
Invest in a warm bed and blanket and keep it in a draught-free place. Don’t move it around the house, keep it in one spot so your new pet learns exactly where he or she can go whenever they are feeling unsure or sleepy. This also helps if you don’t want your puppy or kitten on your bed or furniture. A space of their own makes it clear and helps set healthy boundaries.
Keep their food and water bowls near their bed (walking through the house at night or in the early hours can be a little scary and they need to get familiar with ‘their own space’ in your house). It may help to ask the breeder or animal rescue organisation if you can have an item that your new pet is used to (e.g. a blanket with familiar smells), that will make them feel a little more comfortable. If your puppy or kitten cries at night, don’t worry, this is not abnormal. It may take some time for them to get used their new home, so just give them plenty of reassurance and cuddles.
Toys and treats
There are some toys that we would highly recommend you give your pet at an early age adn it is important to choose the most appropriate toys for this stage of their life. These include chew toys for puppies which are good for dental health, teething and to ease their chewing obsession; and a scratch post for kittens (this may save your furniture!).
As your pet gets older, consider investing in more toys that will help their mental stimulation (and that are great for bonding too). Toys like feather wands for cats are great as are puzzle and treat dispensing toys for dogs.
Good toilet habits
You can start toilet training as soon as you get home! This is the first training lesson your new puppy or kitten will need to learn. The trick is to be patient and consistent. Take your puppy or kitten outside to the place where you would like him or her ‘to go’ about 15 minutes after they wake up or eat and be prepared to wait at least 15 minutes for them to get comfortable! If you’re using a cat litter tray for your kitten, show them where it is, keep it clean and in a private place. See all cat litter trays here.
Don’t forget to “Praise and reward!” so that they learn and develop this habit quickly.
And remember, accidents do happen so be patient and don’t get upset with them. The best thing to do is interrupt them in a calm and cheerful way, take them to the correct spot and once they are done, praise them.
If your puppy or kitten does make a puddle or poop indoors it is best to use ammonia-free cleaning products like the Simple Solution range. Products that include ammonia will make the area smell like the toilet area to your puppy and they will continue to use it as one.
Training, exercise and socialising
You can start puppy training classes as early as 8 weeks so we recommend you find a reputable puppy group in your area and get started early. This is important for your puppy to learn discipline, boundaries and to develop healthy socialising skills. However, note that your puppy shouldn’t be playing in the park or public areas until two weeks after their third vaccination.
Puppies also don’t need much exercise until they are about one year’s old so focus on play time and bonding rather than anything strenuous.
We recommend you fit your pet with a collar (and ID tag) so they get used to it from an early age
Vet check-ups and vaccinations
Find a recommended vet in your area and book the first check-up as soon as possible after collecting your pet. It is important to get the right advice and treatment from your vet in the first six months as this will set your pet up to thrive and help prevent chronic conditions later on.
Your vet will be able to advise on the right food, portion size, any supplements required, dental care, deworming, sterilization and also micro-chipping.
As with humans, puppies and kittens also need to be vaccinated regularly. Puppies need to be vaccinated against diseases such as Canine Distemper, Infectious Hepatitis and Canine Parvo Virus. Kittens need to be vaccinated against viruses such as Feline Panleucopaenia Virus, Feline Herpevirus and Feline Calicivirus.
Your puppy or kitten will need tick, flea and deworming treatment to protect them from nasty parasites. Some products can be given to your pet from 8 weeks of age and some from as young as 2 days old. Speak to a Pet Care Advisor in one of our stores or your vet for all your options.
You can also download or print out our Routine Care Guide to vaccines, tick and flea and de-worming – this way you can be sure you are ticking off all the important health milestones.
Dental Care
If there is a vital aspect of pet healthcare that is often overlooked, it’s dental care. Dental disease is one of the most common diseases diagnosed by vets and yet, one of the most frequently asked questions at vet check-ups is: “Do I really need to brush my cat or dog’s teeth?”. Not brushing your pet’s teeth can lead to dental disease, which is painful and life-threatening. Getting into the habit of brushing your pet’s teeth is much easier if you start when they are very young. Read our full guide to dental care (including the ins and outs of how to brush your pet’s teeth) here.
Last but not least, the right nutrition
The first step on the road to good pet health is investing in the right nutrition right from the start. We recommend speaking to your breeder or rescue organisation (wherever your puppy or kitten comes from) and continuing with their same diet for the first few days before transitioning onto a diet that your vet recommends. This should help avoid any upset stomachs.
The simple truth is, not all pet food is created equal. A top quality diet will need to be specially formulated for a puppy or kitten so that they have the right nourishment to sustain their rapid growth.
Get in touch with us
A huge thank you to Dr Cooper for sharing her expertise with us and helping us put this article together. And remember, we are also here to help, so visit your local Absolute Pets store or get in touch with us online, or on Facebook.