How to prepare for a new kitten or puppy

The arrival of a new pet is very exciting, but it can also be a daunting experience for new owners. To help you feel more prepared, we spoke to Dr Jessica May, UK lead vet at the video vet service FirstVet, about how one should go about welcoming home a fluffy bundle of joy.

“The first port of call is an introductory trip to the vet. This will help you get a handle on important measures, such as microchipping, flea treatments, vaccinations and worming. This visit is also a good opportunity to discuss procedures like neutering and for addressing any additional questions or concerns. Regardless of whether your new pet has come from a breeder or a rescue shelter, booking their first vet visit, and getting your animal registered, is key. More broadly, there are a number of things that you can do to make your pet’s first few weeks with you as complication-free as possible!"

Food: While the prospect of cooking for your new kitten can seem exciting, cats have unique dietary requirements, so it’s advisable to stick to specially formulated complete cat food. Despite the popular misconception, most cats lack the enzyme needed to digest cow’s milk, lactose, so it is best to avoid feeding them milk, as this may cause diarrhoea. Specially made cat milk is available, though, and can feature as an addition to your cat’s meals.

Equipment: Litter trays are a vital first purchase, as many cats can be picky about where they go to the toilet. In general, you should have more litter trays than you have cats. They should be big enough for a fully grown cat to turn around in and tucked away in a private place. While feeding, cats prefer shallow dishes so that their whiskers do not touch the sides of the bowl. Glass or ceramic is best, as plastic can absorb smells, whilst metal bowls can make loud and distracting noises.

Space: It may be tempting to shower your new kitten with attention, but it is also important to make sure that they have their own space, and time to explore their surroundings. Being wary of excessive petting and stroking can be the best way to make them feel at home when they first arrive.

Feeding: For the first week that they are with you, it is best to keep puppies on the same diet that they were on prior to arriving. Arriving at a new home can be stressful, so keeping their diet consistent can help to avoid stomach upsets. Afterwards, you can introduce a scientifically formulated complete puppy food, which will contain all of the nutrients that young dogs need to keep them healthy. Your vet can also recommend a selection of good quality brands to choose from.

Puppies have small stomachs, so for their first four months, they will need four to six small meals a day, reducing to three meals between four and six months of age and then to two meals after that. Although it may be tempting to shower your puppy with treats, remember that they should be used sparingly to reinforce good behaviours.

Microchipping: By law, your puppy must be microchipped by a vet, or trained technician, before they are eight weeks old. The chip provides your puppy with a unique personal identification number, which will help return them to you, should they ever get lost. You will need to share your details with an authorised national database. It is important to keep these details updated, especially when moving house. As well as a microchip, dogs should wear a collar with their owner’s name and address on it (usually in the form of a tag) when they are outside the house.

Exercise and socialisation: One week after your puppy has had their second vaccination, you can get them out and about to meet other dogs. Getting a puppy into the habit of exercising is always positive, but make sure to start slowly and avoid over-exercising them. A good rule of thumb is to aim for five minutes of exercise for each month of your puppy’s age, twice a day. For example, ten minutes twice a day at two months of age.

Socialisation from a young age is also key to making sure that your puppy grows up to be a happy, friendly dog. Going to puppy classes is a useful place to start. The best way to socialise a puppy is through interactions with friendly adult dogs. Dogs understand body language, so make sure to keep calm when your puppy meets someone or something new, especially if it’s another pooch.”

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