Congratulations on adding an adorable, cuddly new puppy and/or kitten to your home! After the excitement, reality sinks in. Cute as they are, they come with needs. Lots of them—food, litter, leashes, collars, flea medicine—just to name a few. Not to worry! We’re here to help.
Similar to toddler-proofing a home, you’ll want to make sure your home is safe for your new puppy or kitten. Make sure electrical cords, breakables, and any other potentially harmful items are out of reach. Child-proof latches are a good idea to keep your puppy/kitten out of cabinets that contain toxic cleaning supplies. You may also want to invest in some pet gates to block off rooms you don’t want your new pet exploring.
Puppies will need all sorts of supplies, but starting with a collar to add vaccination and ID tags is key to ensuring their safety should they ever get lost. Whether you’re bringing home a new puppy or kitten, they’ll need food and water bowls full of fresh water at all times to keep them hydrated. You’ll want to choose a high-quality dog food to avoid common issues like diarrhea and dental issues (for a guide on the basics of dog food, read our in-depth blog post). Puppies will also need a leash for walks and daily exercise. They’ll need treats for training as well as plenty of toys to keep them busy and distracted from chewing on furniture, cords and other items. You’ll want to protect your puppy from fleas and ticks with a monthly treatment as well as get them started on Heartgard to prevent heartworm disease.
Unlike dogs, your kitten will need an indoor litter box, kept clean at all times. If your kitten will be an indoor cat, a collar isn’t necessary, but if it’ll live predominately outdoors, you’ll want to purchase a collar to add vaccination and ID tags to ensure their safety. The best collar option is a breakaway safety collar, which allows for quick detachment should your curious cat get tangled in something. Feed your kitten high-quality cat food to avoid common issues like weight gain and sensitive stomach. Your new kitten will most likely be very playful and full of energy so you’ll want to give her many safe toys to play with. If your cat will be outdoors, you’ll want to keep her on a regular flea and tick treatment as well as Heartgard to prevent heartworm disease. If your kitten lives indoors, you’ll want to invest in a scratching post. Cats naturally scratch on bark in the outdoors for exercise, to clean their nails, and mark their territory. Encourage her to use her scratching post so she steers clear of furniture—she’ll learn with time!
For tiny rescue kittens and puppies, consider PetAg as a milk replacement option to ensure the newest additions to your family get their needed nutrients!
While owning a pet is a major responsibility, remember to love and think of them as a family member. With that responsibility comes a major reward in the form of an unconditionally loving, fluffy companion!
If you have any questions on what your new puppy or kitten will need, please contact or visit any of our friendly and convenient PetsWay locations!