Congratulations on the fluffy new addition to your family! One of the first things you should do when you bring your new puppy or kitten home is schedule an appointment and bring them in to Noah’s Ark for their first wellness visit!
As your local partner in your puppy or kitten’s care, we want to make sure your family’s newest addition is healthy, happy, and flourishing all their life!
During your visit, we’ll perform a full physical examination to assess overall health, look for signs of illness, and determine whether there are any issues that should be addressed. Do you have questions about nutrition, training, vaccinations, grooming, parasite protection, or microchipping? What about tips for introducing your new pet to other animals and family members? We’re ready with the answers.
The First Visit
Once you’ve adopted your new puppy or kitten, one of the first things you should do is introduce them to your local veterinarian by scheduling an appointment. Here at Noah’s Ark, our highly skilled and caring staff will use this time to establish a relationship with your pet and gently inspect them from nose to tail. We will develop a health profile for our records, so we always have your pet’s information at our fingertips.
As you come back for following check-ups, we can gauge how your puppy or kitten is doing over time. We’ll also track growth, weight, and other markers so that we know they’re developing well.
Your pet depends on you for all its needs, both physical and emotional. We’re here to help make sure you’re the most prepared owner that you can be, and that includes giving you the info you need about:
- When to test for heartworms
- The best time to spay or neuter your pet
- What to expect when potty training
- Breed or genetics-related conditions
The Basics
During the early stages of life, puppies and kittens have specific needs for nourishment, socialization and training, habitat, and health.
Proper nutrition is especially important for young animals, who usually need two to three times as many calories and nutrients as adult animals. Both puppies and kittens should be fed nutritionally complete, from a brand fully tested and approved food by the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). Veterinary guidance is especially crucial for any specialty or medical diets.
And it’s never too early to come up with a good training plan. Obedience training helps to establish not only good behavior but also a strong bond with your pet. Always discuss your training plan with your vet to make sure it’s safe and realistic. Socialization is a vital aspect of training, and must be done carefully to avoid injuries, anxiety, or contracting illness and parasites from other animals.
The habitat you provide is also very important to your pet’s development. Make sure all their food and water is easily accessible and they have plenty of bedding and toys to keep them occupied. It can help to baby-proof your home as well until your pet is trained. Just like human babies, puppies and kittens will put anything in their mouths.
Whether you’re a first-time pet parent or an experienced owner, always make sure to talk with your vet at important milestones. Contact our team at Noah’s Ark to book your new pet’s first check-up!