Bluegrass Animal Hospital

Dogs and cats are the best.  I encourage everyone to have at least one pet for so many reasons.  Did you know that owning a pet can actually decrease stress and increase your quality of life? It must be because of the companionship and all of the unconditional love they provide.  If you are thinking of bringing a new cat or dog into your home, there are a few things that you should consider. 

First consider what type of pet is right for you.  Do you want a dog, cat, or other type of animal? If you chose a dog, what breed do you want? Do want a large or a small dog? Do you want an adult or a baby? Will you be able to keep the pet indoors? Factors influencing these decisions may include whether there are children in the home and their ages, the family’s schedule, where you live (country, city, house with a fenced-in back yard, apartment), and finances.  Research—thoroughly—the breed (or breeds in the case of a mix you are considering) of the pup. Now is the time to change your mind if you realize the breed characteristics don’t fit your situation.

Once you know what kind of pet you are looking for, you must decide where to get it.  I encourage looking for your new pet at a local shelter or rescue group.  Places in Knoxville include Young-Williams Animal Center, Animal Works, and the Humane Society of the Tennessee Valley. The Humane Society of the United States estimates that animal shelters care for between 6-8 million dogs and cats every year. Sadly, approximately 3-4 million of these are euthanized due to the overpopulation of companion animals. Overpopulation is a tragedy. There are simply not enough responsible homes for all of these wonderful, innocent animals.  Maybe you could be the person that saves one of their lives.

Preparing the house and the family for your new pet is imperative before you bring them home.  A new puppy or kitten is a big job and commitment, with a lot to do and plan in advance.  Being ready can make the difference between a smooth or rocky start with your new pet, or success or failure.

1. Check with your veterinarian’s office to make sure you can in for a check-up within 24 or at most 48 hours of bringing them home.

2. If getting a dog which will stay outdoors, get your fence built, repaired, or redesigned for the type of dog who is joining your family. Make sure they will have shelter such as a dog house which is weather resistant and that they have access to water at all times.

3. Research local puppy training classes, attend some as an observer to make sure they are acceptable, and get the information you need to be ready to enroll your puppy at the right time.

4. Consider crate training for puppies and ask the experts at your local pet store for one that will be the correct size for your dog.  You may have to find a crate that can be extended or prepare to buy a larger crate as the puppy grows.

5. Purchase a litter box for your cat that will be large enough if getting an adult cat and small enough for a kitten to get into and out of.  Put it in a place that will be quiet and where the cat will have privacy. Place the kitten in the litter box first thing so they will learn where it is.  The rule is to have 1 more litter box than you have cats, i.e. 2 cats, 3 litter boxes.

6.  Get an identification tag made for your pet with your name, phone number, and address.

7. Arrange to bring your new pet home at the beginning of some time off for you, such as a vacation or holiday weekend, to help get them better settled.

8. Work out a schedule for your puppy. Decide which household members will do which care tasks (feeding, walking, play time, etc.)

9. Introduce new pets slowly.  Allow them to smell each other.  Give it time and don’t push them.  They will get use to each other on their own terms.  Try not to leave them alone at first until you know how they will react. 

The next step is the first veterinary visit.  If you get a puppy or kitten, they will need a series of vaccinations which will be determined based on their age.  Usually they will need 3 boosters of the distemper-parvo vaccination (puppies) or upper respiratory vaccine (kittens).  Puppies will also need a kennel cough vaccination and kittens will need the feline leukemia vaccination.  Both will need their rabies vaccine at 14 to 16 weeks of age. Vaccines are then repeated yearly (Rabies/Distemper-parvo/Upper respiratory/Feline leukemia) or every 6 months (Kennel cough) for adults.

They will need to be dewormed on a schedule.  All puppies and kittens have worms because they are transmitted from the mother’s tissues into the milk and through the placenta.  Some worms (hookworms and roundworms) are zoonotic meaning they can be transmitted to people.  So, it is important to wash your hands and clean the feces up out of the yard to prevent reinfection.  Fecal exams will be done at the first 2-3 visits then every 6 months.

Dogs should be started on heartworm prevention before 6 months of age and continued monthly year-round to prevent heartworm disease and control intestinal parasites.  The first heartworm test is performed at 10 months of age and then yearly for adults.

Kittens should have a feline leukemia/feline AIDS test performed at 12 weeks of age.  This will tell you if the kitten is healthy and safe to be around other cats.  If your cat should be positive for either of these tests, he would need to be kept as an indoor cat and usually as an only cat due to the contagious nature of these viruses.

Flea and tick treatment is important especially during the summer months to prevent external parasites which can transmit a long list of problems and diseases such as Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Lyme’s disease, flea allergies, etc.  Most of these treatments can be started at 2 lbs and 7 weeks of age.  Ask your veterinarian which product is right for your pet.

A high quality diet is recommended for your pet such as Hill’s Science Diet, Iams, Eukanuba, or Purina One.  For puppies/kittens, use a puppy/kitten formula food.  Feed small amounts 3 times a day until 4 to 6 months of age then decrease feedings to twice a day. You may switch to an adult formula food between 10 months and 1 year of age.

For feeding amounts, look at the back of the bag for the weight of your pet.  Stick to the low end of the feeding guideline recommendations.  If the brand of food is ever changed, make sure to mix the foods for several days to prevent stomach upset like vomiting and diarrhea.

We highly recommend spaying/neutering your pet.  Benefits of spaying female dogs and cats include the prevention of mammary cancer, uterine infections, unwanted puppies/kittens, and messy heat cycles.  Benefits of neutering your male dog or cat include the prevention of prostate enlargement, prostate infections, prostate cancer, hernias, testicular and perianal cancer, roaming, aggressive behavior, urine marking, inappropriate mounting, and preputial discharge.  These surgical procedures should be performed at 4 to 6 months of age or at the completion of your pet’s vaccine series.

Good luck on finding and preparing for your new pet and congratulations on the addition to your family.

Dr. Sandra Newman