The Insider's Guide to Welcoming a Puppy: Key Things Every Owner Should Know

You have decided to either buy or to adopt a puppy or kitten,

You have selected the type of breed and the gender,

You’ve already started envisioning how great it would be to have a tiny and cute pet for yourself!

And finally, You are now prepared your best to become a pet parent!

If you are someone who was thinking your work is done once you’ve brought them home; a moment of silence for you for considering things exactly the opposite way. You’ll have your fair share of responsibilities in store since they bring a whole new vibe, joy, and life to your family.

Ah! We got you and we know how excited you are right now. Okay, now let’s cut to the chase on things that need to be discussed before you bring them home.

The ideal age for bringing them home

The first few days and weeks of either a puppy or kitten must be with their mother. Because their mother’s milk is the only source that can promote healthy organ development, strong muscle and bone development, etc. 

Weaning off too soon and early separation from the mother can affect both their mental and physical health. This may eventually lead you to make more frequent visits to the vet and provide them with nutritional supplements often. And hence it is ideal to bring a kitty after 8-10 weeks and a puppy after 8 weeks. 

Importance of vaccinations

“Vaccines are like armor for your pet. They protect and fight for your pets in more than one way!”

If you have weaned your kitten, or dog too early; or if they didn’t have access to their mother and her colostrum, their immune system would be too weak to fight against infections and diseases. And hence, after adoption, make sure you have a proper health schedule for them in place. Pets show different types of illness and symptoms based on the surroundings they live in. Kittens can be vaccinated anywhere before they turn 16 weeks old and after they turn 8 weeks old. And in the case of puppies, they get a series of three shots after they turn 8 weeks old. And have around 5 more vaccines before they turn three years old. Reach out to your vet for the right vaccination schedule for your pet.

Understanding their basic requirements

Kittens and puppies have exceedingly special needs compared to adults and seniors. 

Younger ones need to be petted frequently, rewarded often. And most importantly, they must be let free to expose a lot of new things.

If they are weaned off early, they must be provided with more moist foods than dry foods. Since they are too young, they’ll be high with energy and thus have high requirements of proteins, amino acids, and vitamins. Apart from nutritional requirements, they require an enriched environment for their play and exercise. And hence it is essential to bring them home, only after both your environment and your home is suitable for them.

Licensing your pet  

Though many pet parents in India, consider licensing their pet an option, the Department of Animal husbandry in India, can any time make this a compulsion. 

Because a pet license can highly decrease the rate of abandonment. 

Having proper paperwork and a license in hand for your dogs can also help you deal with your non-animal-friendly neighbors. 

And if they go missing their license can help you get back to them without much trouble.

So, reach out to the respected authorities in your area now to grab all the details about licensing your pet before you get one.

Okay! But why should I visit a Vet soon after adopting?

Your house would have gone haywire if you are bringing a puppy home for the first time. We agree how hard the first 48 hours with a new puppy would be, and before you take care of their meal plan, their routines, playtime; we highly recommend you to visit a vet within 24-72 hours after you adopt them followed by their general check-ups.

Visiting a vet within 24-72 is so important because,

• It helps you understand their medical needs as early as possible

• A proper physical examination is required to ensure your pet is hale and healthy

• To get customized advice from your vet to take the right care of them according to your environment and climatic conditions.

• To know whether there are any preexisting conditions and treat them the early the possible.

Here are a few other things we would let you know,

Before bringing a kitten or a puppy to your home, talk to both your family and the vet. Prepare things for them beforehand, so that they’ll be taken good care instead of being abandoned within a few weeks. Prepare your home with appropriate toys, shelter, etc.

And here is a bonus tip: Do pet-proof your home without fail (You can thank us later for saving your shoes, sofa, your kid’s toys, etc!)

Happy pet parenting!