When welcoming a new puppy or kitten into your home, a little extra effort early on can really go a long way. First off, congratulations! We are so excited for you and your new fur baby!
If you haven’t done so already, be sure your home is puppy or kitten-proofed. What we mean when we say this is that we suggest that you store toxic and hazardous objects out of reach, and even then, keep a close eye on your pet as they may surprise you with how inquisitive they can be.
Fences and gates can help reduce wandering, and crates are great for when you’re away and need to keep your pet contained. Introduce your pet to their crate gradually and leave it in an accessible area so they can become comfortable inside.
Biggest bit of advice we can offer you as a new pet parent is to never use a crate for punishment or time-out. Crates are a valuable tool, but only if your pet sees their crate as a positive and safe place to be. Crate training can also be helpful when housebreaking your pet, which is something you may currently be working on. Keep in mind housebreaking is a process but you’ll be better off if you stay patient and stick to a routine.
Creating good habits and healthy boundaries is recommended when your pet is still young. Start their training now to help address or even avoid any of the common issues down the road. Some of the resources we recommend are positive reinforcement training techniques using your pets favorite treats, providing chew toys for natural chewing behaviors, scratching trees for cats natural scratching behaviors and always be sure that your pets get plenty of exercise.
When it comes to what to feed your pet, we’re here to help guide you. So, if you’re having trouble picking out the best food for your pet, let us know! At Brook Farm Veterinary Center we’re happy to help determine what kind of food you should be feeding and how much to keep them at their ideal weight. Have a picky eater? We can help with that too!
As pet parents ourselves, we understand that preventative veterinary care can add up quickly so we’ve put in place an annual Wellness Plan that will help spread out those costs and ensure that your pet receives the regular care he/she needs throughout the year. Before venturing with your new pet around town, check with our team to be sure your pet is ready both developmentally and with their vaccination schedule. It’s also a good idea to create positive associations with preventive care and grooming early in life. Start slow and reward progress with lots of affection, attention and treats. By continuously doing these routines it will help protect your pet from potential problems and make vet visits more enjoyable.
Speaking of veterinary care, we love providing puppies and kittens with the care they need. This starts with vaccines, which protect your pet against diseases like rabies, distemper, parvovirus and hepatitis. Other vaccines may also be recommended based on your pet’s needs and lifestyle you live. After an initial vaccination, many vaccinations will require you to get a booster dose. At Brook Farm our team of experienced staff will help keep track of all of this for you and we’ll call to remind you when boosters are necessary. By spaying and neutering your pet you may prevent unwanted offspring as well as have some potential behavioral and health benefits.
Microchipping your pet greatly increases the chance of your pet returning home if they become lost, but we recommend even microchipped pets should continue to wear a breakaway collar or ID tag at all times.
This is an exciting time in your life and we couldn’t be happier to be on this journey with you and your new pet. If you need anything or have any questions, please give us a call: (845) 878 - 4833.
.jpg)
.png)
