New Furry Addition to the family
| Published: 28th August 2007 16:23 |
Kittens
Adopting your first cat is a huge step, not to be taken lightly. Although cats have a reputation for taking care of themselves, that fact does not equal "no care is necessary." Before rushing in to buy that darling kitten in the pet store window, take the time to do your homework, so you can avoid these common mistakes made by new cat owners. The result will be a happier and healthier cat and a long-term companionship with another living being, the like of which you never dreamed.
A few things to watch out for
Beware of choosing kittens with eye and/or nose discharge, poor coat condition and those that look underweight. All are indicators of poor health.
Kittens that have not been well socialised from an early age may not make ideal companions if there are young children in the family. These animals may be quite shy and afraid in a busy household.
Similarly, farm kittens can also be quite a challenge and may need to be placed in an experienced household.
The optimum age for socialisation is between two and seven weeks of age. Ask what the breeder or rescue centre has done to ensure the kittens are well socialised and confident around people and other animals.
Choose only a kitten of at least eight weeks of age, if someone will be at home for all or part of the day to give your cat the care and attention needed.
When taken home, your kitten should have easy access to a litter tray at all times and, if you have children, ensure that they always handle your kitten with consideration and respect.
Puppies
The excitement of a new puppy can go on for a dozen years or more if you and your family take some precautions to keep your pet safe and healthy. Although all accidents and illnesses cannot be prevented, there are plenty of things you can do to reduce chances that your pet will suffer.
Before choosing a new puppy there are many things you must consider. Whilst it's been proved that pets can help to lower an individuals blood pressure not all breeds are suitable for all people.
Your Lifestyle
How would a dog fit into your daily routine?
Can you provide a dog with ample walks and opportunities to go outside during the day?
Space
Whilst you may think you have ample size for a puppy you must remember that he or she will grow! Do you have enough room for your chosen breed?
Budget
There are many costs associated with keeping a dog such as food, veterinary bills, grooming, insurance and boarding kennel accomodation should you go on holiday.
Family
Whilst caring for a pet can be a rewarding and educational for children not all breeds are suitable.
And finally it is important to consider the time of year you are looking to buy a puppy. A new pet needs time to adapt to it's new daily routine as well as lots of love and attention hence it is important to choose a quiet time in your life. Whilst many puppies are still given as christmas presents this is far from ideal as it is likely you will be busy and unable to establish a regular routine for your new addition to the family.
Puppy and Kitten Diets
Food:
As puppies and kittens are continually growing they need two to three times the energy intake of an adult animal of the same weight.
They require the same basic nutrients as adult animals but certain ones at higher or lower levels. The food must be more easily digestable.
Wet or dry foods?
This is a matter of preference for both you and your puppy/kitten. Both types are complete foods and therefore give your puppy or kitten all their nutritional requirement they need to grow and develop. Feeding a mixture of both wet and dry foods is fine too, but, be aware that you need to half the daily requirment of each food when mixing them together. Otherwise your puppy or kittens will be getting 2 meals in 1!
Having your puppy/kittens weight checked reguarly will enable you to see if you are feeding too little or too much food. The information of the side of the packets is a guideline, each animal is different so needs careful monitoring.
Puppies and kittens have small stomachs therefore require small feeds at regular intervals. Usually 4 meals until 3 months old, 3 meals until 6 months old and 2 meals onwards. Set meal times is ideal as animals allowed to graze, tend to be the animals fussy with food or obese.
Feed a specially prepared puppy or kitten food, rather than a adult food, as puppies and kittens require different levels of certain nutriants than an fully grown adult. Puppy and kitten food is a balanced food that with input from vets and nutritonists will provide everything that your puppy or kitten needs to grow into a strong adult animal.
There is no need to give your puppy or kitten human food, and especially not raw meat!! Feeding raw meat could give your aniaml tapeworm.
Each manufactuer has their own life stages so check when your puppy or kittne needs the next stage. Will he need a junior food from 6 months to 12 months or will the puppy/kitten food last until the adult stage at 12 months.
Table scraps are not advisable to feed to puppies or kittens as they often contain high calories, disrupt the nutritional balance of the prepared food that is being given and could cause diarrhoea.
Chocolate designed for humans should NEVER be given as this is toxic for dogs. Should you wish to give your dog a treat ideally chose a low fat treat.
Raw carrots make a fantastic dog treat, they are good for their teeth and contain no fat!
Water
It is essential to provide your puppy and kitten with water at all times. Puppies and kittens fed dry food tend to drink more than those fed on wet food due to the water content within the foods. You should monitor the amount that your puppy drinks as a constantly thirsty animal could indicate he or she may be unwell.
Don't give cows milk to your kittens (or puppies) as it is too rich and could cause diaarhoea. Water alone is enough, but should you want to give your animal milk you can buy special formulated milk for them.
Puppies and Kittens to adults
As your puppy or kitten grows into an adult animal it's habits will change and you in turn you need to adjust to the needs of the adult aniamls.
For example; You should select the appropriate food for the life stage. Also the amount of exercise required will be different for an adult animal as the bones and muscle are now developed.
If at anytime you become worried about a sudden change in your pets eating or drinking patterns or general behaviour you should seek veterinary advice.
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