New Pet? Expert advice, expert start in lifeWelcoming a new arrival into the family is a very exciting time. There are lots of activities, environments and enjoyment yet to experience – your little one will be raring to go! This is why we have prepared some advice to help guide you through those early weeks and months.

Preventative healthcare

While settling your new family member in, it is a great time to consider all elements of their healthcare. Vaccinations, parasite control, neutering/spaying procedures and regular health checks are so important to ensuring your kitten or puppy starts life on the best path to long-term wellness.

A regular vaccination programme for dogs will help guard against a number of preventative diseases such as:

  • Distemper
  • Parvovirus
  • Kennel Cough
  • Leptospirosis
  • Parainfluenza

Such vaccinations will also help to stop the spread of these diseases amongst other puppies and dogs in the area. Puppies can be vaccinated as young as six weeks of age, with a second injection from ten weeks of age. Speak to your vet for the right protocol for your puppy.

Essential vaccines are recommended for kittens to safeguard their wellness against:

  • Cat Flu
  • Feline panleukopenia virus (FPV)
  • Feline leukemia virus (FeLV)

The ideal age for your kitten’s first vaccination is eight weeks (or between seven and nine weeks), with a second injection three to five weeks later. This will be for the core vaccines.

Why not talk to one of our friendly team about our pet healthcare plan and what it includes, from regular health-checks, to vaccinations and boosters, you can get peace of mind across the year.

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Neutering

Although your new arrivals are still young and exploring new experiences and environments, it’s never too soon to think about the next steps of their lives. Neutering of dogs and cats has significant benefits to their lifestyle, behaviour and long-term health.

Cats should be neutered from four months of age to prevent unwanted pregnancies.

Dogs can generally be neutered from six months, but please ask one of our experienced team about this as it will be assessed based on your dog’s weight and breed.

You may be surprised to know that you can save on the cost of neutering by becoming a member of our preventative healthcare plan.

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Socialisation

Due to the ongoing impact of the Coronavirus pandemic restrictions, we recognise the significance of socialising your new puppy in a slightly different way. To help with this, we have pulled together some handy tips on alternative ways to get your puppy experiencing and exploring new sounds, smells, environments and people – via Zoom if you have to!

Planning for your new arrival

Before you bring your new addition home, there are some things you will need to consider so we have pulled together a short checklist to help:

KittenPuppy
Comfortable bed/place to sleepA crate/or bed and blankets
Food & water bowlsFood & water bowls
A complete kitten food (ask one of our team about this)A complete puppy food (ask one of our team about this)
Plenty of toysCollar & tag, lead or harness
Litter tray and litterPuppy pads for toilet training where outdoors is not possible to ‘toilet’
Scratching post/indoor ’cat tree’Grooming brush & puppy shampoo
Consider installing a cat flapToothbrush & toothpaste (one especially for dogs)
Pet carrierPet carrier

Our team are always happy to answer any questions you might have or to discuss what benefits joining our preventative healthcare plan might have.

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Sign up below to join Pet Health for Life – a fantastic way to spread the cost and make savings for routine preventative pet care.
To find out more about our plan click here.

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Further reading