- Puppy Plan
- Kitten Plan
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Puppy Plan
Your puppy will have THREE visits with us about 3 – 4 weeks apart, starting as early as 8 weeks of age, as part of their puppy vaccination schedule.
Visit #1 Visit #2 Visit #3 Health Exam X X X A thorough exam by one of our friendly, knowledgeable doctors! DAP Vaccine X X X Distemper, Adenovirus, Parvovirus Combination vaccine De-wormer X All puppies should be dewormed to prevent illness from intestinal parasites. 30-day Flea Preventative X A 30-day flea (and tick) preventative chew. Nail trim Acclimate your puppy to regular nail trims for a positive experience. X Fecal Analysis – Comprehensive Make sure your pet doesn’t have giardia and other parasitic diseases. X Leptospirosis Vaccine X X Leptospirosis bacteria is a common bacteria that can exist in soil and water. Bordetella-P Vaccine X The Kennel Cough Vaccine and Parainfluenza Vaccine Rabies Vaccine X The only vaccine legally required by state and federal law for all pets. Microchipping
Microchipping is a great way to permanently identify your dog. The microchip is inserted underneath the skin and is read by a scanner that shelters and vet hospitals have. For example, if your pet becomes lost and is picked up by animal control, they will scan him/her, see/receive an identification number, and contact the company that keeps the registry of microchipped pet information, leading to a safe return home!
Important!
It’s extremely important that you not take your puppy for walks, to the park, or to pet stores, or even let your pup or kitten walk on the veterinary clinic floor until the full vaccination series is complete. Until all the vaccines are administered, your new family member is susceptible to diseases like parvo for puppies or calicivirus for kittens.
Diet – Start Your Puppy Out Right!
- A high quality puppy food is recommended to ensure proper development. Dry kibble is best! Ask your veterinarian which food they think might be best for your pup. Keep in mind that many dogs display symptoms of food allergies right away, with common symptoms being red skin/itchiness or diarrhea. A prescription diet with hydrolyzed protein can often solve this problem.
- Commercially manufactured dog food is the ideal option for feeding a puppy for several reasons.
- Commercial dog food is specifically formulated to provide all the nutrients that a puppy needs to grow and develop. It contains the right balance of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals to support the puppy’s growth and development.
- Commercially manufactured dog food is convenient and easy to use. It is readily available in most pet stores and supermarkets, and it can be purchased in different forms such as kibble, canned food, or freeze-dried food. This variety of options makes it easier for pet owners to choose the best option for their puppy’s specific needs and preferences.
- Commercially manufactured dog food is tested for quality and safety. Reputable manufacturers conduct extensive research and testing to ensure that their products are of the highest quality and meet all necessary safety standards. This reduces the risk of feeding a puppy contaminated or harmful food.
- Feeding a puppy commercially manufactured dog food provides the necessary nutrients at an appropriate level for their growth. Homemade diets can be unbalanced, and deficiencies can develop over time. There are a lot of “homemade” recipes available online, but these are not always well-balanced or appropriate for all puppies.
- In conclusion, commercially manufactured dog food is the best way to feed a puppy as it is nutritionally balanced, convenient, safe, and provides the necessary nutrients for a puppy’s growth and development. It is important to choose a high-quality brand* and feed the appropriate amount according to the puppy’s weight, age, and activity level. It is best to check the feeding recommendations on the back of the bag. It is also recommended that your pet grow into a feeding schedule of twice per day (breakfast and dinner) with measured amounts to prevent over-eating. Further, consulting with a veterinarian to develop an optimal feeding plan can also help ensure a puppy’s nutritional needs are met. This allows you to monitor how robustly your pet eats, or not – indicating there may be a problem.
*Recommended brands: Purina, Hill’s or Royal Canin
Please note: we are NOT paid for recommending these brands. Any food that is a commercially produced, balanced food that does not cause adverse reactions like diarrhea, vomiting, red, itchy skin/hives, etc. is probably good food.
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Kitten Plan
Your kitten will have THREE visits with us about 3 – 4 weeks apart, starting as early as 8 weeks of age, as part of their kitten vaccination schedule.
Visit #1 Visit #2 Visit #3 Health Exam X X X A thorough exam by one of our friendly, knowledgeable doctors! FVRCP Vaccine X X X Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia Vaccine De-wormer X All kittens should be dewormed to prevent illness from intestinal parasites. 30-day Flea Preventative X A 30-day flea (and tick) preventative chew. Nail Trim X Acclimate your kitten to regular nail trims for a positive experience. Fecal Analysis – Comprehensive X Make sure your pet doesn’t have giardia and other parasitic diseases. FeLV/FIV Combo Test X Test your kitten for the two deadliest diseases to treat as necessary. FeLV Vaccine X X Feline leukemia virus vaccine; the deadliest disease in the world for cats. Rabies Vaccine X The only vaccine legally required by state and federal law for all pets. Microchipping
Microchipping is a great way to permanently identify your cat. The microchip is inserted underneath the skin and is read by a scanner that shelters and vet hospitals have. For example, if your pet becomes lost and is picked up by animal control, they will scan him/her, see/receive an identification number, and contact the company that keeps the registry of microchipped pet information, leading to a safe return home!
Important!
It’s extremely important that you not take your puppy for walks, to the park, or to pet stores or even let your pup or kitten walk on the veterinary clinic floor until the full vaccination series is complete. Until all the vaccines are administered, your new family member is susceptible to diseases like parvo for puppies or calicivirus for kittens.
Diet – Start Your Kitten Out Right!
- Feeding a young kitten can be a bit tricky as their nutritional needs are different from adult cats. When it comes to choosing between wet or dry food, both options have their own benefits and drawbacks, and the decision ultimately depends on the individual cat’s needs and preferences.
- Wet food is a good option for kittens as it provides them with a high moisture content which helps to keep them hydrated. Additionally, wet food is often more palatable than dry food and can be easier to digest for young kittens with sensitive stomachs. Wet food also tends to have a higher protein content than dry food, which is essential for growth and development.
- On the other hand, dry food is more convenient and can be left out for longer periods of time without spoiling. Dry food can also help to promote dental health by scraping away plaque and tartar as the kitten chews on the crunchy kibbles. However, it’s important to note that dry food may not provide enough moisture to keep kittens hydrated.
- Ideally, a combination of wet and dry food can provide the best of both worlds. A good feeding schedule for a young kitten would be to offer a mixture of both wet and dry food, with wet food making up the majority of their diet. Kittens should be fed multiple small meals throughout the day to ensure they are getting enough nutrition to fuel their growth. You can transition your kitten to dry kibble as they mature into an adult cat at about 9-12 months.
- It’s important to choose a high-quality, nutritionally balanced kitten food that meets their specific needs. Avoid feeding adult cat food or table scraps, as they may not provide the essential nutrients a growing kitten needs. A commercially manufactured diet is the best way to guarantee the food is nutritionally balanced for felines.
- In summary, feeding a young kitten a combination of wet and dry food is a good approach. Be sure to choose a high-quality commercial kitten food and offer multiple small meals throughout the day to keep your kitten healthy and happy.
*Recommended brands: Purina, Hill’s, or Royal Canin
Please note: we are NOT paid for recommending these brands. Any food that is a commercially produced, balanced food that does not cause adverse reactions like diarrhea, vomiting, red, itchy skin/hives, etc. is probably good food.
