Thinking of adding a puppy or kitten to the household? Don’t forget to take your new pet to get checked out by a vet within the first week of doing so. To make sure you and your pet spend many happy, healthy years together, follow these puppy & kitten care tips from Redlands Pet Clinic in Grand Junction, CO.
Vaccinations
Your pet is legally required to have the rabies vaccine by four months of age in the state of Colorado. The other core vaccines that your pet should get need at least two doses to protect your pet. Set up a vaccine schedule at our vet clinic during your first wellness visit.
Parasite Prevention
Pets pick up the parasites known as heartworms from mosquitos. And they can get intestinal parasites from their mothers, from eating dead, wild animals, and from other sources. You can’t usually stop the pests from coming, but you can stop them from hurting your pet. Ask our veterinarian about medicated, preventative chews for heartworms and medicine for intestinal parasites.
Microchipping
If your new pet gets lost, a microchip greatly increases your chance of getting your pet back. Getting a microchip is a simple process similar to getting a vaccination. Most microchips last for your pet’s entire lifetime.
Nutritional Needs
Since your puppy or kitten is growing, he or she has different nutritional needs than an adult dog or cat. Puppies and kittens need more protein in their diets. Puppies need to be fed small meals more times a day than adult dogs. Ask our veterinarian for dietary recommendations.
Spaying and Neutering
Many studies show that spayed or neutered pets live longer lives than those who have not been fixed. Spayed and neutered pets are generally healthier and cannot develop cancer of the reproductive organ. Healthy kittens can be safely spayed or neutered when they are six months old. Spaying or neutering puppies depends on different factors. Ask our veterinarian what he recommends.You can set up the appointment for the operation when it is time to do surgery.
Dental Care
One of the most common diseases in both dogs and cats is periodontal disease. If left untreated, it can lead to pain, loss of some or even all of your pet’s teeth, and sometimes problems with the heart, liver, and kidneys. If you start brushing your pet’s teeth now while they are young, they will quickly grow used to it. Only use the flavored toothpaste that is made specifically for pets. Our veterinarian can instruct you in brushing your pet’s teeth.
Visit Our Vet Clinic in Grand Junction, CO for Puppy and Kitten Care
If you have further questions about puppy & kitten care and live in the Grand Junction CO area, contact Redlands Pet Clinic at (970) 235-9356 to make an appointment today.
