Pet Health: Infancy

What should we do?

• Body checkup:

The physical examination of puppies and kittens is very important. Obvious congenital diseases can be discovered through physical examination. So even if they are bouncing around as children, you still need to take them to see a doctor. Generally speaking, just ask the veterinarian to do a physical examination every time you get vaccinated (vaccination must be given).

• Vaccine:

Puppies and kittens should go to the hospital for vaccinations every 3-4 weeks when they are 6 to 16 weeks old. Of course, the timing of the vaccine varies from hospital to hospital. In some hospitals, the last injection is around 12 weeks, and in some hospitals it is around 14 weeks. For the specific introduction of vaccines, please refer to our small comics about vaccines.

• Heartworm Prevention:

Both dogs and cats need heartworm prevention, and the sooner the better. Once heartworm is present, it is very difficult to treat. Generally, heartworm medicine can be used after 8 weeks of age.

• Deworming:

Dogs and cats have relatively low immunity when they are young and are prone to intestinal parasites. Intestinal deworming is recommended every time you get vaccinated. Of course, the regulations on deworming vary from hospital to hospital, but you must deworm at least twice when you are young. Stool examination is also necessary, because general anthelmintics only target roundworms and hookworms, and there may be many other insects that are invisible to the naked eye in the intestinal tract.

After the vaccine is finished, it is recommended to choose a medicine that prevents heartworm and also prevents intestinal parasites and fleas once a month. In this way, the worms can be dewormed in vivo and in vitro every month.

• Sterilization:

Generally speaking, dogs and cats should be neutered around 5 to 6 months of age. For the best time and effects of sterilization, please refer to our popular science article on sterilization.

Summary of the most important points:

Male cat neutering is necessary

Spaying female dogs and cats before their first estrus can reduce the risk of breast cancer even more

Large dogs are recommended to be neutered after 6 months to reduce joint disease

• Nutrition:

Puppies and kittens must eat puppy and cat food because their nutritional needs are different. When children are young, it is best to feed them three times a day, because they are prone to hypoglycemia and the intervals between meals should not be too long. When you are almost one year old, you can slowly switch to twice a day. The nutrition chapter of the Cat Getting Started Guide contains detailed science on kitten nutrition.

• Teeth:

Dental health should be taken care of from an early age. Brushing your teeth can form a good habit from an early age. At about 5 months, kittens and puppies will begin to change their teeth. Of course, there are some bad young teeth that refuse to fall out. If they still refuse to fall out after 6 or 7 months, they need to be extracted, so as to avoid occlusal problems and accumulation of tartar.

• Nail:

In addition to brushing your teeth, you should also get your pet used to having their nails clipped from an early age. Cutting your nails regularly can prevent blood lines from getting longer and reduce the difficulty of cutting your nails.

• Behavior:

The communication with the family before 12 weeks determines the character of the pet in the future. Dog behavior classes also allow them to learn how to properly socialize with other dogs. Correct urination and defecation habits also need to be patiently taught and encouraged.

• Blood test:

Before neutering, the owner is generally given the option of having a simple blood test. I recommend doing it, so that the risk of anesthesia can be reduced, and if there is a disease, it can be detected earlier.

By doing the above, you will have a healthy pet that is ready to enter adulthood.