Helpful advice to get you started.
You have decided to get a new puppy or kitten so here is some handy advice to help you give them a long healthy and happy life.
Always try to meet the mother (and dad too if possible) when buying a new kitten or puppy, this allows you to check the friendliness, temperament and appearance of the parents and gives a good idea about how your new youngster might turn out!
Most puppies and kittens are weaned and are eating solid foods by 5 weeks of age, so your new pet should be eating well by the time you bring them home after 6 weeks of age.
Ask the breeder to prepare records of any treatments, vaccinations, insurance cover and pedigree details for you to bring home with your pup or kitten and a sample of the food that they have been using, to last for a few days when in their new home.
Preparing for your kitten and puppy's arrival.
You will need to get a new, small, food and water bowl, a litter tray and kitten litter for cats, a cosy bed and a secure box or fold up cage for use your pup or kitten is unsupervised. Pups will eventually need to get used to wearing a well fitting collar all of the time, thus preparing them for some lead training ready for their first walk! .The most important thing to do is check your house if safe and secure. Kittens are extremely good climbers, puppies can squeeze through small holes and don't understand heights so be careful if you have stairs!, Both kittens and puppies are very inquisitive and very quick! They will try and lick or eat objects, plants, liquids and foods all of which could be harmful.
Kittens
– best to keep them indoors for several weeks to allow them to get used their new home.
When you start to let them out, keep the door open and accompany them into the garden but give a little food reward every time they go back to the house to help the "homing" response.
Keep the doors closed on your washing machine and tumble dryer.
Puppies
- Many people use fold up training cages for puppies.
These help them feel safe and secure in their new home, giving the pup its own "bedroom" so they can take refuge in a busy household or have a nap after a busy time making mischief!
Start the toilet training from the outset - we have a training leaflet available if you need some help!
Nutrition
The sample of the food that you have brought from the breeders home will give some continuity and you can then change the diet gradually if you wish.
Provide fresh clean water at all times and don't give milk, cream, yoghurt or gravy as this will almost certainly upset their tummies!
There are many excellent foods available for both kittens and puppies but make sure you use a ‘complete food’, which will provide all the nutrients you pet needs for growth.
We can usually provide a sample of a high quality food when we do the health check.Very young puppies and kittens need to be fed about 4 times a day initially, but as they get older, the number of meals can be reduced.
We will be delighted to give your new little pet a thorough health and weight check, take their photo for their vet record and advise you on how to help them to a long and healthy life.
Firstly we will help with worming and flea control, then vaccinations, microchipping and discuss pet insurance and neutering - hopefully answering all of the questions that you may have about your kitten or puppy's welfare.
Vaccinations
Vaccination is a proven way to protect your pets against certain serious infectious diseases.
A lot of breeders offer "vet checked" pups and kittens that have had a vaccination, so check if your pet needs a 2nd vaccine or a full course.
Kittens are vaccinated against viruses that causes ‘cat flu’ (herpes and calicivirus), feline enteritis (parvovirus) and feline leukaemia virus. First vaccine is given at 9 weeks old and then 2nd vaccine at 12 weeks old.
Puppy vaccines are given against Distemper, infectious hepatitis, parvovirus and Leptospirosis.
The first vaccine is given at 6-8 weeks old, the 2nd vaccine at 10 weeks and we recommend a 3rd vaccine for puppies at 16 weeks old to increase the protection against Parvovirus.
Once the vaccine course is given, it takes time for your pet’s immune system to build up protection so keep them in the house and garden for one week after the 2nd vaccine. Then they will be ready for a safe first outing!
Micro-chipping
We highly recommend a microchip as it is the only permanent method of pet identification (collars can be removed/lost).
Each microchip has a unique number which is linked to a national 24 hours database and all vets, dog wardens and animal charities have scanners to read microchips, which allows the retrieval your pets details. You would be contacted and reunited with your pet!
Cat flaps are now also available that scan your cat's microchip and only let your cat through, an extra benefit of microchips. We can order them in for you so ask at our reception.
Worm and Flea control
Roundworms are the most common worms seen in puppies and kittens and have significance children's health too.
Fleas and certain other skin creepy crawlies sometime accompany new pets. We have a safe "spot on" product to help eliminate parasites.
Pet insurance
This is well worth considering and your puppy or kitten may come with a temporary breeders insurance.
At Ashcroft we recommend Pet Plan, the UK’s number-one pet insurance provider and after checking the health of your new kitten or puppy, we can provide you with a 4 week free Pet Plan insurance which gives you cover while you learn about pet insurance, in order to avoid getting trapped in unsuitable policies.
We strongly recommend this free policy, we have had several clients who have taken advantage of it when problems have arisen with their new pet.
We aim to provide a first class service to keep your pets in the best of health by offering preventive healthcare advice and treatment and of course, diagnosis and treatment should your pet fall ill.
