Adopting a pet is a major commitment. Even if you’ve decided to have a pet doesn’t indicate you’re ready to bring one into your house. Adopting a pet starts with a well-thought-out choice of what kind of pet you prefer. Read this post to learn what it takes to be a good pet owner before bringing a pet into your house.
Considerations When Adopting a Pet
Compared to taking care of an adult dog or cat, taking care of a puppy or kitten presents different difficulties. A common concern for the pet owner who has never raised a young pet is ensuring its overall health. Here are five vital areas that require your specific care.
1. Diet and Nutrition
Kitties and pups have different calorie and nutrient requirements than adults. After weaning, these pets require high-calorie, protein-rich food to sustain their seemingly growing appetites and activity levels.
You can start by providing your pet with up to four meals daily. Gradually reducing to twice a day as they reach adulthood is ideal for most adult dogs and cats. Your veterinarian can walk you through if you have questions about which foods are appropriate.
2. Vaccinations
You probably already learned that adult dogs and cats require routine vaccinations to defend themselves from dangerous germs and infections. Dogs and cats must be vaccinated against the most prevalent and harmful illnesses. Additional vaccines might be essential for some animals due to exposure to lifestyle-related dangers.
In the first year after their vaccinations, puppies and kittens get their first booster shots. From there, they proceed with the adult animal vaccination schedule. Vets Portland will advise you regarding your pet’s schedule and particular booster shot needs.
3. Dental Health
Remember to brush your pet’s teeth to keep their mouth healthy. Slowly get them used to the toothbrush and give them lots of praise. You can make this an enjoyable routine for your pet by rewarding him after each brushing.
Treat your pet’s dental health more like a requirement than a luxury. Your pet’s routine vet checkups must always include a dental checkup. Having a specialist examine your pet’s teeth can give you crucial details about the condition of their teeth and advice on how to best care for them. You can search for “cat wellness exam near me” online to schedule a consultation for your new pet.
4. Parasite Control
Puppies and kittens can get internal parasites from their mothers, who then transfer the worms to their babies through breastfeeding. Worms don’t usually get into the digestive system. However, intestinal worms like hookworms, whipworms, and roundworms have the possibility to be fatal.
The heartworm, one of the most harmful parasites, enters the bloodstream through insect bites and grows inside the heart and lungs. Although they grow progressively, they provide significant treatment difficulties and might eventually cause fatality. To keep your new puppy or kitten away from parasites, it is necessary to start deworming sessions at the age of two weeks. Monthly preventative treatments can help keep the danger in control as your pet grows older. For additional information on controlling parasites, click here.
5. Socialization
Puppies and kittens need early socialization to learn to live in harmony with people and other pets. Minimal socialization can cause abnormal reactions in a puppy or kitten, like shyness, aggressiveness, or fear.
Plan to begin mingling your puppy or kitten at three weeks and keep doing so until they are 20 weeks old. This can be simplified and facilitated by enrolling in socialization courses or employing a personal trainer. Incorporating daily walks into your socializing routine may be helpful.