How To Nurturing Your New Puppy

First of all, i would like to congratulate if you have bring home a new kitten.

Bringing home a new kitten is truly one of life's joys and a rewarding experience.

As a new pet parent, we hope this blog will guide you in providing utmost care to your pet.

Welcoming Your New Pet Home!

While you and your family are understandably excited over the new family member, the next few weeks will be a period of adjustment both for you and your puppy.

The first few weeks can be quite a stressful time for your little pet as it has been taken away from the comfort of its mother and siblings and its new home is an unfamiliar environment where it has to begin to get accustomed to new sights, sounds, smell and sensations.

For the first few days, it will be suffering from separation anxiety and hence during this early period it is vital to avoid any negative influence of the new unfamiliar surroundings.

Preparing Your Home For The Puppy

These are a list of some of the important supplies you will need before bringing your kitten home:

• Food: In consultation with your veterinarian try to keep the same diet or food as provided by the breeder.
• Bowls: Separate bowls for food and water, preferably use bowls that do not tip over easily such as stainless steel.
• Bedding: It needs to be comfortable, provide warmth and have walls, such as a basket so that the puppy feels protected and secure. If using a basket, line it with blankets.
• Grooming supplies.
• Child Gate:To block doorways and prevent your pup from wandering into certain rooms of the house.
• Puppy collar & Lead: Use a short lead and a light, soft, comfortable collar.
• A collection of high quality, safe chew toys.

Puppy-Proofing Your Home

Before you know it, your kitten will be busy exploring its new home. Preventing destructive and dangerous chewing is easier than trying to correct the puppy every second.

It is advisable to:

• Ensure there are no loose electrical cords.
• Store household chemicals, cosmetics, etc. on higher shelves or within cupboards.
• Keep breakable items away from reach.

The First Few Nights in Your Home

Since, your puppy has been accustomed to being in the company of its mother & siblings, keeping them alone is not advisable.

Introduce the puppy to its bed on the first day of bringing it home. Ensure that it also sleeps in its own bed.

During the day keep its bed in an area where you will be seated most often and during the night, place the puppy bed next to your bed.

Since the puppy is bound to miss its siblings and mother during the initial few days, you can place a towel in its bed which has been rubbed on the mother, so that some of her scent on the towel will give your puppy a sense of comfort. Put a warm water bottle under the blankets.

After a few days start to move the puppy bed nearer to the bedroom door and finally outside the bedroom and into the place where you wish the puppy to sleep permanently.

Create A Sense Of Belonging

Knowing it is loved, creates the best sense of belonging!

Holding the pup gently, close to your body, talking in gentle and soft tones gives the puppy a sens of security and comfort. It also helps familiarize them with your voice.

If there are small children, they need to be advised not to overwhelm the puppy by screaming or shouting, forcefully holding the pup, inviting their friends over to see the pup, etc.

Also when sleeping avoid disturbing the pup, so it gets adequate periods of rest through the day.

Socialization

Socialization is a key component to having a pet who is happy and not fearful in social settings, be it with humans or other pets.

The critical socialization period is between 4-12 weeks of age. During this period it is important to introduce your pet to new people, pets, sounds, places, etc. However, since the vaccination schedule is not complete by this time, limit the interactions to safe environments such as within your home, your garden, your vet's clinic, etc.

When socializing with other pets, ensure the other pets are fully vaccinated.

A well-socialized puppy grows up to be a dog who is confident and friendly. It is then a pleasure to have your pet accompany you wherever you go!

Introducing Your Puppy To Children

Supervise encounters between your puppy and children at all times.

As difficult as it may seem, advise children to avoid getting over-excited around the puppy, as the puppy may react defensively if frightened.

Always let the puppy nose its way towards the children and not the other way around.

Introducing Your Puppy To Other Pets.

It is  important to be aware that all the pets, the puppy meets are fully vaccinated and pose no threat to your puppy's well-being.

When introducing your puppy to cats, dogs or smaller pets like rabbits, guinea pigs, etc. keep your puppy on the lead for the first few meetings. Ensure the other dogs too are kept on a lead to prevent over boisterous dogs frightening the puppy.

There are many pet socialization groups that are available. Your veterinarian will be able to recommend one for you.

Obedience Training

Your little bundle of joy will enjoy exploring objects that grab its attention.

At this stage, laying down a few basic rules is crucial. Your puppy needs to be taught and understand few simple commands that will stay with it for life.

Keep these commands simple & few such as "Come", :Sit", "No", etc. Also, make sure that all the members in your home use the same words to avoid causing the puppy any confusion.

Potty Training Your Puppy

Potty training starts as soon as your puppy enters your home.

Important tips to help in potty training:

• If the puppy's bed is too large it may tend to urinate or defaecate in one corner of its bed, however, if the puppy bed is as per the pup's size it is likely to do the job outside the bed area.
• Designate a specific "potty" area in the outdoors.
• In the initial few weeks, you will have to take your pup to this designated area every 1-2 hours and atleast once during the night.
• Also, always take them to this spot after eating, sleeping, playing and/or even when you notice it looking uneasy or circling & sniffing the ground.
• Avoid changing the "potty" routine, so it helps the puppy develop a schedule as well.
• Always praise your pet, after it has successfully visited the "potty" area.

Introducing Your Kitten To Travelling In The Car

Let your pet associate car travel with a pleasant experience. Begin with short journeys and then gradually increase the travel duration.

Allow the pet to settle in the car for a few minutes before driving away. Feed them a light snack prior to the journey to avoid any gastric disturbances.

When initiating your pet to car rides, it would be nice to have a family member sit besides the puppy and talk to it in soft tones, so as to keep it comfortable and avoid it from distracting the driver in anyway.

Always close doors without slamming and do not start the engine until the puppy is inside the car. Avoid the bumps and potholes.

Leaving Your Puppy Alone At Home

When getting your puppy habituated to being home alone, start with short time intervals f 10 mins and then increase the time intervals.

Ideally create a place for your puppy to be confined when you are away, when there is a clear bed are and a temporary toilet area.

Access to a restricted area within the home along-with lot of safe, chewable toys will limit destructive behavior. Certain toys are available that release dry food piece when the dog knocks or pushes them around.

While leaving do not give added attention, it will be too big contrast between you being there and not being there. Sudden isolation after lots of attention is confusing and worrying for the puppy.

On returning briefly greet your pup without too much excitement. Reward its good behavior once it has calmed down. If it has been naughty, do not punish it, for the puppy will not understand.

Vaccinations Means Protection From Fatal Diseases

Dogs too, like humans, are susceptible to fatal, infectious diseases. Fortunately, we have the ability to prevent many of these by the use of very effective vaccines.

Vaccination Schedule

For a puppy, there is a series of vaccinations to be given in a specific schedule typically at 6-8, 8-10, 10-12, 12-14 and 14-16 weeks. The purpose of a vaccination series is to help confer and build the puppy's immature immune system against these fatal diseases. Hence it is essential to follow the schedule as recommended by your veterinarian strictly. thereafter, annually a single booster dose of these vaccinations is to be given to ensure ongoing protection.

Post -Vaccination Care

Your pet might be a little uncomfortable after vaccination and you may notice slight swelling at the vaccination site. More serious reactions should be immediately reported to your veterinarian.

Common Fatal Diseases are:

• Canine Distemper
• Canine Hepatitis
• Canine Parvovirus
• Canine Parainfluenza
• Canine Leptospirosis
• Rabies

Protection From Parasitic Infestations

Parasite are organisms that live in or on the body of another animal and takes its nourishment from that animal. In the process, it can cause severe harm to the animal, in this case, your puppy.

Intestinal Worms

These parasites live within the intestine of the puppy and if left untreated, can cause severe malnourishment to the puppy that will impact the pet's health significantly.

Since worm trouble is not easy to detect, unless the pet's faeces are examined, prevention is ideal!

Some of the common symptoms of worm trouble include:

• A pot-belied look (especially in puppies)
• Weight loss
• Pale gums
• Dull coat and skin irritations
• white segments in the faeces
• Diarrhoea
• Pet frequently rubs its bottom on the ground.

Impact Of Worms On Family Members

Not only do pets get affected by worm trouble, but through them the worm eggs can also be transferred to humans, especially children who constantly play with the pet.

To prevent human infection, good hygiene is extremely important. Teach children especially, to wash their hands after playing with the pet.

Keeping Worms At Bay!

Periodical pet deworming with a good broad spectrum dewormer, as recommended by your veterinarian.

Typical Deworming Schedule:

Until 6 months: Once a Month

From 7th Month: Once every three months for life.

• Keep the are where your pet sleeps and its bedding clean
• Adopt a comprehensive flea control program, as fleas are a carrier of certain worm eggs.
• Avoid feeding your dog raw meat
• Prevent the pet from licking your face
• Always wash hands after playing with your pet.

Keeping Ticks, Fleas, Lice & Mites Away!

These are external parasites that are present on the dog's coat, inside the ear  and in the environment where the pet lives. Ticks, lice and fleas are clearly visible on examining the dog's coat and skin, however, mites are extremely small and not visible with the naked eye.

These parasites adhere to the skin and feed on the pet's blood and skin tissues. Thus a pet with heavy infestation of these parasites often suffers from anaemia and skin lesions. In addition, these parasites are also carriers for many diseases and some worm eggs.

In consultation with your veterinarian, you may use an anti-parasitic topical spray, spot-on or shampoo to prevent or rid your pet of these parasites.

It is advisable to re-use such products every 1-3 months as a means of prevention. Also ensure these products are safe for puppies.

Anti-tick collars work well to prevent re-infestation, however these are not advisable for puppies,.

It is important to keep the environment around the pet (eg. bedding) free from ticks, fleas, lice and mites.

Skin Care

Your pet's skin far more delicate and fragile compared to yours and hence needs considerable care.

• Only use shampoos that have been specifically formulated for pets and not human shampoos.
• Use a shampoo that cleans, moisturizes and soothes the skin.
• Excessively fragrant and foaming shampoos can at times prove to be a skin irritant, so pick a product that is mild yet effective.
• Bathe your pet once in 7-15 days depending n the coat thickness.

It is normal for dogs to have a certain degree of odour. However, if at any point the odor becomes offensive or if you notice a change in the normal skin structure, please consult your veterinarian.

Ear Care

Unlike humans, the dogs canals have a unique L-shaped bend, making it is difficult for caught debris or water to be released; this makes pets especially susceptible to ear infections.

To prevent ear infections, periodical ear cleaning (once in 2 weeks) with an antiseptic ear cleaner is suggested, in consultation with your veterinarian. Avoid using earbuds.

If you notice your pet repeatedly scratching its ear, observe redness around the ear are, etc. You can suspect it to be a ear infection! In such eventuality, please visit your veterinarian for treatment.

Oro-Dental Hygiene

Daily teeth brushing is crucial to dental hygiene in the case of humans. In pets too, regular dental care is important to prevent periodontal diseases. Bad breath s one of the most common symptoms of the beginning of dental disease. Dental disease if not checked and controlled can lead to bleeding gums, immense pain, loss of teeth and spread of infection from the mouth to other internal organs as well.

Regular teeth brushing or daily use of chews formulated for oral care are a good way to prevent dental disease!

Nutritional Requirements Of Your Pet

The nutritional requirement varies depending upon the age, breed and sex and level of activity.

Nutritional supplements help to compensate for any dietary deficiencies that may arise.

Nutritional supplements like omega-3 & omega-6 fatty acids, vitamins & minerals are recommended to prevent possible deficiency of these nutrients and to support recovery post any illness.