Our Clearwater, FL Veterinarian Provides Puppy Care and Kitten Care
Puppies and kittens have different care requirements than their adult counterparts. Puppies and kittens have unique nutritional needs. Puppy food contains more protein than adult dog food, while kitten food is higher in fat. Pets at this age are also rapidly growing, which requires high-energy nutrients for their bodies to develop correctly. At Clearwater Animal Clinic in Clearwater, FL, puppies and kittens are often our most adorable patients.
Specifics to Know about Puppy Care
Puppies are like any other babies. They require constant attention, exceptional care, and lots of love. A new puppy needs lots of room to play and explore while being supervised. Spend daily time with your new puppy to train him in good behaviors and manners. It is essential that your puppy socializes as much as possible and gets as much exposure as possible to different environments so his immune system will develop appropriately.
Puppies grow very fast. They should be fed three or four times a day until they reach just under six months old. Only provide them with food designed for puppies. When they are around three to four months old, begin the transition from moist food to dry food, depending on your puppies’ breeds. After six months, they can start eating twice a day. Always provide safe things for them to chew on during this stage and never neglect fresh water availability.
Our vet will recommend a vaccination schedule and other healthcare routines to adopt, such as dental cleaning. We will also instruct you on when you should call us for assistance or take your puppy straight to an animal hospital.
Specifics to Know about Kitten Care
Kittens can be more playful than adult cats. They also require different care than adult cats do. Kittens will need to grow knowing where the litter box is, have it scooped regularly to keep it clean, and have a specific spot in the house to call their own. You should feed them special kitten food for up to a year, around three times a day. When they reach six months of age, start moving to dry food and reduce their feeding times to twice daily.
Spend time touching their toes and nails to help them get used to having nail trims later. If you have multiple stories in your home, some kitten owners find it helpful to limit kittens to one floor until they are older. Also, it may be beneficial to put a litter box on each level of the house when you open the additional levels. Kittens will require routine vaccinations and check-ups with a veterinarian as they mature.
Contact Our Trusted Clearwater Veterinarian
At Clearwater Animal Clinic in Clearwater, FL, we're so happy you decided to bring a new young furry companion into your home. Let us help you care for them right from the start. We can help you with vaccination requirements and start them on a wellness plan that will serve them well later. Contact us today for an appointment!