12/27/2009

Q:  Now that Christmas is over, we are thinking about adding a new puppy or kitten to our family.  What do you suggest?

A:  There is no doubt that we find the little round heads and big eyes of young puppies and kittens irresistible.  Millions of new pets find their ways into our hearts and homes each year.   Pets relieve stress, add joy and give us love unconditionally.  As long as you are able to provide the necessary care, adding a pet is a fantastic idea. 

Whether you pick out your new friend at a breeder or you rescue a pet in need of a great home, all puppies and kittens have requirements that you must know before bringing them home.  Being prepared is essential to a happy relationship with your new pet.   

Prepare for day to day needs, like food and playtime.  Plan for the on-going needs, like vaccines and preventive care.  Keep in mind the inevitable unexpected things, like emergency care or behavioral problems. 

It’s common sense that puppies and kittens need adequate amounts of food and clean water to grow to their potential.  What’s less well known is that your choice of food could have a huge impact on the health of your pet.

It’s easy to become confused by the many brands, flavors, and styles of pet food – all claiming they are best.  When looking for a proper diet, please ask the advice of your veterinarian.  Also look for companies that make a real effort to help consumers understand our pets’ nutritional needs – and not just sell a slick image or push celebrity endorsements.  Remember, some of the best medicine isn’t medicine at all – it is nutrition!

Whether new owners are trying to save money or they were told “all his shots are done,” inadequate preventive care dooms many young animals to suffer some terrible diseases.  Feline distemper, canine parvovirus, heartworm disease and severe intestinal parasite infestations are just a few of the serious medical problems seen routinely in veterinary offices. 

Your veterinarian will save you money and heartache by providing advice about vaccines and preventive care.  Although Internet sites and forums might seem like great places for education, many sites provide poor advice and even wrong information.  Your veterinarian will customize an individualized vaccine protocol and give the needed de-worming treatments to keep your pet safe.  When it comes to your new pet and your veterinarian – an ounce of prevention REALLY is worth a pound of cure.

Likewise, your pet’s mental/social health is as important as his physical well-being.  As Dr. Suzanne Hetts, Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist says, “help your puppy do the right thing.  You won’t get the chance to redo or undo behaviors learned during this formative time.” 

Behavioral problems are a leading cause for relinquishment and even euthanasia of pets.  By spending some time working with your new pet through obedience and socialization classes, you can help prevent life-long issues.  Having the right toys and providing plenty of play time with the family is another great way to have a behaviorally healthy pet. 

Then, there are always the miscellaneous items you will need:  crates to help with housetraining, litter boxes for the kittens, scratching posts, treats, leashes, collars and stain/odor removers for accidents.  Today we have great pet super stores where you can find limitless choices of these essential things.

Finally, be sure you have room in your budget for the new member of your family.  All told, Americans spend about $40 billion dollars each year on their pets.  An average family might spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars on their dogs and cats each year.  Sadly, emergencies and serious illnesses add to this number.  Pet insurance and pet health savings plans can help reduce or eliminate some costs.  However, there is no substitute for common sense, responsible ownership, and good preventive care.

Thank you to the Veterinary News Network for contributions to this week’s column.