As cute as they may be, new pets can easily become ill. There’s a solution: vaccinations, which have saved millions of lives. Young pets are susceptible to everything from parvo and rabies to a common bacteria causing excessive coughing, otherwise known as kennel cough. Routine vaccinations are typically given every 3 to 4 weeks until 16 weeks of age, in puppies and kittens. Adult pets follow an annual vaccination schedule.
Take a trip to the pet store and the vast variety of squeaky, cute toys will call out to you, begging to be bought. Beware of toys with small parts, any with metal or those that can be swallowed in part or whole. Never leave cats alone with string toys; accidental ingestion is life-threatening and often requires expensive surgical procedures.
Curb That Behavior
Scratching posts for cats and kittens are a must-have to prevent behavior problems. Kittens need them as a safe perch to escape to when they live with children or dogs, and you can train your kittens to scratch on the posts rather than on your furniture. While scratching on furniture is normal marking behavior, you can train your kitten not to by spraying Feliway®, a pheromone that tricks them into thinking they have already marked a spot.
Dogs and puppies can be enrolled in obedience training beginning at six months of age. Having a well-trained dog who listens to your commands can prevent accidental injuries such as running into the street toward an oncoming car, and can curb aggressive behavior such as biting.
Positive reinforcement is another remedy for curbing your pet’s bad behavior. Praising a pet for doing the right thing is more effective than scolding them for doing the wrong thing.
Further Reading:
A Newcomer's Tail
Want to know how much typical veterinary healthcare can cost for a new puppy? See how much it cost for Layla, an eight-month-old puppy in New York, to visit her vet.
What to Know As a First-Time Pet Owner
Take charge of your pet's well-being and learn how his most essential needs -- eating, playing and staying healthy -- are crucial for his quality of life.
A Clean Bill of Health
As cute as they may be, new pets can easily become ill. There’s a solution.
Feeding Fido
Studies show between 25 and 40% of household pets are overweight or obese, leading to obesity-related pet illnesses and increased veterinary costs.
Learn more about VPI Pet Insurance:
Dog insurance, Cat insurance, What’s covered, Get a quote