By Carly Stadie
•
March 2, 2025
March 23rd is a double celebration for pet lovers! It’s National Puppy Day AND Cuddly Kitten Day—a day to honor our furry friends, promote pet adoption, and share some tips for raising a happy, healthy pet. Whether you have a playful pup 🐶 or a curious kitten 🐱, Bethany Animal Hospital is here to help you give them the best start in life! ________________________________________ 🐶 Tips for Raising a Happy, Healthy Puppy 🐾 Bringing home a puppy is exciting, but it also comes with a lot of responsibility. Here’s how to ensure your new best friend grows into a well-rounded, healthy dog: 🏥 1. Start with a Vet Visit ✅ Schedule a puppy wellness appointment as soon as you bring them home. You can even schedule before you have your pup if you know their arrival date! ✅ Discuss vaccinations, deworming, and parasite prevention. These services are critical to keeping your puppy healthy and protected from risks they may encounter as they start to explore the world around them. ✅ Ask about spaying/neutering options. Your vet can explain the benefits of spaying and neutering at particular ages, and help you determine the best time for your particular pet. 🍖 2. Feed Them Right ✅ Choose a high-quality puppy food for proper growth. Your vet is happy to discuss nutrition to help you decide the best option for your pet. ✅ Follow a feeding schedule to help with digestion and training. While puppies need more calories, they can still become overweight. Discussing the appropriate amount to feed with your vet helps them get on track for a happy, healthy life. ✅ Avoid table scraps & toxic foods (no chocolate, onions, or grapes!). The ASPCA is a great resource for determining what foods are dangerous. You can access their Animal Poison Control portal here: https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control 🏡 3. Socialization & Training ✅ Introduce them to new people, pets, and environments early on. Until your pet is fully vaccinated, you may want to restrict your puppy to only visiting with other vaccinated pets in controlled environments, like training classes or a friend’s home. Socialization is key to creating confidence in puppies. ✅ Use positive reinforcement for training (treats & praise work wonders!). Not sure where to start? See our next tip! ✅ Enroll in puppy training classes for social skills & basic commands. Even if you think you know how to train a puppy, there are always new things to learn, and being around other puppies can be a great resource. 🐾 4. Exercise & Playtime ✅ Puppies have tons of energy, so daily play and walks are a must! ✅ Give them age-appropriate toys to stimulate their minds. Enrichment can be as simple as feeding food in a puzzle bowl or allowing your pet novel scents to smell - a little goes a long way! 🦷 5. Dental & Grooming Care ✅ Get them used to brushing their teeth early on. 🦷 ✅ Keep their nails trimmed and coat brushed to prevent matting. Regular, positive nail trims as a puppy can make the process much easier for years to come! ✅ Schedule regular vet check-ups to ensure they stay in top shape. ________________________________________ 🐱 How to Raise a Happy, Healthy Kitten 🐾 Kittens may be tiny, but they need just as much care and attention as puppies! Here’s how to set your little feline up for a purr-fect life: 🏥 1. First Vet Visit ✅ Get your kitten vaccinated & dewormed early. Your vet can discuss the appropriate schedule and vaccines for your pet. Additionally, your vet can help you determine the best parasite prevention for your pet. Even indoor only cats can become infected with parasites like fleas! ✅ Test for feline diseases like FIV and FeLV. This can be done with a simple, in-house blood test. ✅ Discuss spaying/neutering options with your vet. 🍗 2. Nutrition & Hydration ✅ Choose a high-protein kitten food to support growth. Your vet can help you determine which diet is best for your pet. ✅ Provide fresh water at all times to prevent dehydration. Many kittens love running water and will be more likely to drink if offered a water fountain. ✅ Avoid giving them cow’s milk—it can upset their stomach! Weaned kittens do not need milk in their daily diet. 🏡 3. Litter Training & Socialization ✅ Most kittens instinctively use the litter box, but they may need to be frequently shown and prompted to visit it when adjusting to a new home. ✅ Provide a clean, quiet space for their litter box. 🚽 Multiple litterboxes is always best, and it can be beneficial to try different style to see which your kitten prefers. ✅ Handle them gently and introduce them to new experiences & people early. 🧶 4. Playtime & Mental Stimulation ✅ Provide scratching posts to protect your furniture. Redirect kittens to scratching posts if they scratch in inappropriate locations, and reward them for scratching where you prefer. Some cats may prefer horizontal scratching, while others prefer a vertical post. ✅ Offer safe toys like feather wands & crinkle balls. Be mindful of small pieces and strings for kittens especially, as consuming them can cause life-threatening issues. ✅ Kittens love to climb, so consider a cat tree for enrichment. Cat shelves can also be a fun addition to increase vertical space. 🐾 5. Veterinary & Grooming Needs ✅ Brush their fur regularly—especially if they’re long-haired. ✅ Trim their claws to prevent painful overgrowth. ✂️ Frequent, positive nail trims at a young age can make the process easier for years to come! ✅ Schedule annual wellness exams to keep them in tip-top shape. ________________________________________ 🐶🐱 Looking to Adopt? Give a Puppy or Kitten a Loving Home! ❤️ National Puppy Day & Cuddly Kitten Day are also about pet adoption! Shelters and rescues are full of adorable pets looking for forever homes. Before adopting, consider: 🐾 Do you have time to care for a new pet? 🐾 Can you afford vet care, food, and supplies? 🐾 Is your home pet-proofed and ready? 🐾 Are you ready for a lifetime commitment? If the answer is yes, adopting a puppy or kitten can be one of the most rewarding experiences! 🥰 We recommend www.petfinder.com to find local shelters and rescues. ________________________________________ 🐾 Happy National Puppy Day & Cuddly Kitten Day from Bethany Animal Hospital! 🎉 Whether you’re celebrating with a new furry friend or your longtime companion, we’re here to support your pet’s health every step of the way! Need to schedule a puppy or kitten check-up? Call us today! 📞 815-756-8925 | 🏥 Bethany Animal Hospital - Sycamore, IL
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