Puppy and Kitten Preventative Care - Pet Care 101:

Congratulations on your new addition to the family! A new puppy or kitten in the house is always a fun and engaging time. It also comes with some responsibilities as well. After the first six weeks of your pet’s life, the natural immune defenses inherited from the mother wane and leave your pet at risk for developing various early health issues. This is why it becomes important for you to begin the process of preventive care early in your pet’s life. Puppy & kitten preventive care can help you enjoy a long and healthy relationship with your pet.

Basic Care Needs

Before we talk about preventive care, let’s first cover the basics of early care. Establishing the right behaviors from the beginning can help make sure your puppy or kitty grows into a strong, healthy, and confident adult. Make sure to prepare your home for your new friend by picking up the basics. Get a good carrier, sturdy feeding bowl, litterbox (for cats), and appropriate restraints, collars, or harness. Make sure to also include appropriate food, treats, toys, exercise routine, and social time with you.

Professional Preventive Care for Your Pet

Now that you are all set with the care basics, it’s time to address preventive care. Preventive care is part of an overall wellness plan that your veterinarian leads you through in the early stages of pet ownership. Ideally, this process begins at eight weeks of age and continues at specific intervals until six months of age. After this, a regular annual wellness exam ensures your pet is in great condition year after year.

Eight Weeks Old

Although the specific schedule for your pet may differ slightly, the general early preventive care routine offered by most veterinarians begins at eight weeks of age. At this stage, the first round of vaccines, heartworm prevention, stool sampling and deworming, leukemia testing (cats), nutritional counselling, behavior training guidance (dogs), and litter training guidance (in cats) commences. These tests and vaccines are to treat the most common pet health hazards and parasites before they have a chance to develop.

Twelve Weeks Old

After the first visit, your young pet is given four weeks to metabolize the first round of medications and tests. At around the twelve-week mark, you will visit our office again for the second round of vaccines, a dental assessment, as well as another stool sample and deworming. This is to make sure that any parasite eggs that may have hatched are flushed out, and the oral health of your pet looks like it’s on track.

Sixteen Weeks Old

Again, about a month after your last visit you will return once again for another round of vaccines. This is typically when the rabies vaccine is administered. Additionally, your pet will receive another round of stool sampling and deworming (if canine).

Six Months Old

Finally, at the six-month mark your young pet will undergo its final preventive appointment. During this visit, your pet will undergo its last round of stool examination and deworming (if needed), as well as microchipping and spaying/neutering if you choose this option.

The Annual Vet Visit – The Wellness Exam

Once you have finished your puppy or kitten preventive care routine, most pets will graduate to a yearly scheduled visit. During this time they will undergo a full consultation that determines the overall health and wellness of your pet. Like us, annual visits to the doctor are an essential part of your pet’s wellness plan and will serve both you and your pet for the duration of their long and happy life.

Final Thoughts

Preventive care is the first line of defense against the most common health issues known to plague domestic pets. Puppy & kitten preventive care typically spans four visits starting at the age of eight months and ends at six months. Your patience and persistence will be rewarded in the long term with a healthy and energetic pet for many years to come. If you’d like to schedule your first preventive care visit, reach out to us today, and we will gladly get you on the right track. Bergen County Veterinary Center is proud to be the choice veterinary hospital of Ridgewood, Ramsey, Franklin Lakes, as well as Waldwick. Give us a call if you have any questions!