Bringing your new pet home
Your pet should be at least 7 weeks old before they leave their mum.
Now is the time to get everything ready and puppy/kitten proof the house!
Things you will need include:
- Bed/Crate
- Feed and water bowls
- Toys
- Litter trays(for cats)
- Collars/leads
It is always best to find out what your pet has already been eating and continue with the same food to start with – if you wish to change the food, mixing the old diet with the new over a week is the best way.
Leaving their mum and litter mates can be a traumatic time for pets – they have never known being alone and so can take a little while for them to adjust and settle in (particularly at night) but they will!
Healthcare
Depending on when you get your new pet they may or may not have already started their vaccination course.
Puppy Vaccinations can be started from 6 -8 weeks of age. They require 2 vaccinations with a 2-4 week interval, the 2nd injection being given when they are atleast 10 weeks old.
Kitten Vaccinations can be started from 9 weeks of age, again they require 2 vaccinations with a 3-4 week interval.
We give all new pets a full health check prior to vaccinations to make sure they are in full health and allowing us to detect any possible conditions they were born wtih.
Microchipping is becoming ever more popular, especially with it now becoming a legal requirement. With the new mini chip it is a much smaller needle so less discomfort for your pet.
Worming treatment is a must for puppies and kittens, they should have been treated whilst with mum as worms can be passed on through feeding. It is recommended that puppies are treated every 3 – 4 weeks up until the age of 6 months. It is then recommended to worm every 3 months.
Flea treatment can be started fairly young depending on the need for it, most products it is recommended from 8 weeks of age. Each product is different but is usually repeated between every 4 -8 weeks.
When your new pet is slightly older we recommend neutering – spaying girls and castrating boys!
In cats this can be done from around 4-5 months of age.
In bitches it can either be done around 6 months of age before their first season, or 3 months after their season ends.
In dogs it is usually done from around 6-8 months depending on the breed and size of the dog.