Image: Jeffrey Buchbinder from Unsplash
It is very exciting to welcome a new puppy or kitten into your family at Christmas time, but it’s also a significant responsibility. Proper preparation is essential to ensure your furry friend starts life on the right paw. The team at Coquet Vets is here to support you and your pets every step of the way.
Let’s revisit some important things to consider to help them settle in and ensure that they stay healthy and happy.
Let’s start with Christmas hazards…..
It is very important at any time of year to be aware of hazards for your new pet; however, if you are welcoming a new puppy or kitten into your home at Christmas, it is even more important due to the increased number of hazards around!
Hazards include food items that are poisonous for pets, such as chocolate, raisons, and mince pies. In addition, there are increased risks of choking hazards and ingested items such as tinsel, baubles, and other decorations.
If you believe your pet has consumed anything that they shouldn’t have, please call us immediately, as many of these hazards can be life-threatening. See our recent article on some common festive foods that are toxic for pets.
Come and meet us!
We’d love to meet your new family member, and we offer free puppy/kitten health checks. This is a great opportunity for your pet to visit the vets for a health check, as in the beginning, vets aren’t scary for them. This massively helps their socialisation and gives you peace of mind that your pet is healthy.
Microchipping
It is a legal requirement for all dogs to be microchipped in the UK, and from 10th June 2024, cats in England must also be microchipped and registered on a database by the time they're 20 weeks old.
This is very important to do, as you can be fined up to £500 if your cat is not microchipped when they need to be. Find out more in our past article - 'New Law on Microchipping Your Cat' .
We believe that microchipping is important for all pets, as it is really the only way your pet can be returned to you if they get lost. As pet owners, it is important that you always keep your details up to date in relation to your pet’s microchip.
Microchipping pets (Image © Coquet Vets)
Vaccinations
As antibodies from their mothers fall, it is important that your pet receives their core course of vaccines at the correct intervals to ensure their protection is maintained. Depending on the breeder, your new pet may have already had a trip to the vet and received vaccinations. Certain vaccine manufacturers are not cross-compatible, so it’s important we have a chat to make sure your new pet is fully covered. Until your new pet has received their full vaccination course, we strongly advise that they are kept indoors.
Be sure to check out our past articles about vaccinations for cats and vaccinations for dogs.
Flea and worming treatment
Ensuring that your pet is covered against pesky parasites is important. Young animals can easily carry a parasitic burden, so getting a fresh weight and the appropriate treatment on board is key.
Insurance
There are many insurance companies available on the market, and it can seem like a daunting task going through them all. We strongly recommend insurance is taken out for your new pet, but the individual policy is down to you. Through a provider, we offer 5 weeks free insurance following a health check with one of our vets. Find out more about this promotion here.
Socialisation
Your new pet is learning all the time, so exposing them to different stimuli is very important. This can range from meeting family members to playing with them and brushing their teeth! Social time with other dogs and cats once they are vaccinated and ready to explore the outdoors is also important. The more you do now, the easier it will be when they are older.
To help spread the cost of preventative health care for your new pet, we run the ‘Coquet Pet Club’, which is a monthly plan covering vaccination, flea and worming, microchipping, and more. For more information, visit our Coquet Pet Club page.
If this article has raised any concerns, or you think your pet has ingested something they shouldn't have, please call us at Coquet Vets on 01665 252250.
