Puppy/Kitten Awareness

We're celebrating Puppy/Kitten Awareness Month at our animal hospital in San Diego by offering these essential tips about veterinary care for your new pet. A new furry family member's a great experience with lots of laughs, joy, and fun. But, it also comes with a lot of responsibility. 

Your Pet's Health Care

Kittens and puppies are at a great age to begin their relationship with a veterinarian. Starting with the first well care appointment to the few visits that follow for vaccinations, they will feel more comfortable with our veterinary staff and future visits will be easier. 

During their first wellness exam, our veterinarian will give them a comprehensive screening that includes a full blood panel and fecal analysis. The physical checkup includes your pet's coat, skin, ears, eyes, nose, mouth, teeth, and paws. They will also weigh them and schedule their core vaccinations beginning at six weeks for some shots and 12 weeks for the required rabies vaccine. Your pet should have a complete wellness exam every year. 

New Kitten and Puppy Essentials

There's plenty that our veterinarians can't help with—Such as having the right supplies at home. Healthy, active animals need plenty of stimulation. You can achieve this with age-appropriate toys and spending plenty of quality time with your kitten and puppy. Both will require small food and water dishes. Consider a non-slip mat or rug to place these on to reduce messes and prevent slips and falls. 

Other staples for kittens include:

• Scratching post 

• Small Litter box, scoop, and mat

• Age-appropriate bed

• Grooming tools for their fur (Ask your vet about the right ones for their coat type)

Puppies need a durable bed and grooming tools depending on their coat. You may also consider safety gates and a crate for them for sleeping and when they're home alone or unsupervised. Even with these safety barriers, you should still puppy-proof your home by keeping dangerous chemicals secure, electrical cords tucked away, shoes in closed closets, and garbage bins with covers. 

Contact Our San Diego Animal Hospital Today at 858-224-9459

Our veterinary staff can schedule your new puppy or kitten's well visit appointment with one of our licensed veterinarians.