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New Pets Need Comprehensive Veterinary Care

Welcoming a new pet to your home involves many things, from picking out your puppy or kitten to buying the proper accessories. Greenhaven Animal Clinic helps you give your pet a great start and supports you during that first crucial year of life. We offer guidance and services in a variety of pet care areas, including:

• Choosing a healthy puppy or kitten
• Proper nutrition
• Socializing your pet
• Housebreaking
• Training
• Veterinary care and vaccines
• Initiating home dental care
• Deciding to spay or neuter your pet

While our vaccination and parasite prevention protocols follow current veterinary guidelines, each pet is unique. We tailor your veterinary care to meet the needs and requirements for your special pet, considering pet type–such as working dog or house pet–as well as breed, size, overall condition, and lifestyle issues.

The following is a general guideline for puppies and kittens:

Puppy Program	Kitten Program
We recommend: 3 doses of distemper, parvo, hepatitis, and Coronavirus between 8 and 20 weeks of age 2 doses of lepto between 12 and 20 weeks of age Rabies vaccine at 4 months of age Deworm 3 times between 6 and 16 weeks of age Start on heartworm and parasite prevention (Sentinel) at 8 weeks of age, then blood test at 6 months of age to make sure the puppy is heartworm-free	We recommend: 3 doses of panleukopenia, calcivirus, feline viral rhinotracheitis, and chlamydia between 8 and 16 weeks of age 2 doses of feline leukemia during this time frame Testing for feline leukemia and feline infectious virus at 4 months of age Rabies vaccine at 4 months of age Deworm 3 times during this stage and then start on Revolution for ongoing parasite and heartworm prevention

Pet nutrition is critical, especially for the youngsters. Your Greenhaven veterinarian will advise you about the proper food and treats for your pet at this important stage of life, when growth is so rapid–inside and out.

Home dental care for puppies and kittens is best begun immediately upon bringing your new pet home as an enjoyable part of the socialization process. We are happy to share techniques and recommend products for this often overlooked part of basic pet care.

Housebreaking and training your pet is a process, and there are many techniques for making it relatively simple. See us for guidance and tips about your particular circumstances. A well-trained pet is a happy pet, and that makes the pet owner happy, too!

Spaying or neutering your puppy or kitten has many benefits, resulting in a longer, healthier life and a generally happier pet. Visit our Wellness page for more about this healthy decision.

We encourage you to discuss any pet care issues and medical concerns with us at every visit and hope the following tips will help you get off to a good start.

• Pet-proof your home, providing a safe environment for your inquisitive kitten or puppy.
• Use high-quality food for the proper stage in your pet’s life. Never feed human food!
• Always have fresh, clean water available.
• Initiate a regular home dental care regime.
• Groom your pet regularly for healthy skin and coat.
• Obtain only vet-approved products such as collars, play toys, bedding, chew bones, and scratching posts.
• Provide a sanitary litter box or safe outdoor elimination area, and never leave your puppy or kitten unattended outdoors.
• Play with your pet every day for socialization and to enhance the human–animal bond.

For an in-depth discussion of vaccines and the diseases they prevent, visit our Vaccinations page. To learn more about pet dental care and services, visit our Dental Health page. And to learn about your aging pet, visit our Senior Pet Care page for information, tips, and resources.

In addition, we have provided Pet Care Articles and Pet Care Videos on our website as a resource for all the stages of your pet’s life

The Pet Health Center at WebMD offers a variety of easy-to-read articles and informational videos for Kitten Care and Puppy Care.

For a comprehensive and informative look at pet care and enjoyment, visit the AAHA’s website for dog lovers or the AAHA’s website for cat lovers. And the American Association for Feline Practitioners (AAFP) website offers more information to educate and guide cat owners.