Feeding Your Pet

Getting the right nutrition for your puppy or kitten is really important. We recommend you buy a good quality kitten or puppy food. Generally you get what you pay for so try to buy the best you can afford.
Generally kittens and puppies like a combination of dry and wet food. Many dogs eat just dry food, but it is important that you make sure your kitten drinks water before you put her on dry food only as she may get dehydrated.
Little kittens and puppies should be fed 4 times per day, breakfast, lunch, teatime and supper. Please remember that they always need to go to the loo after eating or drinking just like little babies. Don’t expect them to be fully trained straight away - it takes loads of patience and training. Please DO NOT feed your kitten or puppy raw food.

 Make an Appointment with Your Vet

We strongly advise that you take your new kitten or puppy to your vet within 48 hours of bringing them home even if a breeder has already taken her to a vet. Let your vet check her over fully. I always examine a new pet’s eyes and ears, mouth, heart and lungs, abdomen and skin, and make sure there is nothing of concern.
Whilst you’re there your vet can also advise on worming, flea and other parasite control, vaccinations and feeding. Like us, most vets carry out these checks for free.

Treatment, Vaccinations And Insurance

Nearly all kittens and puppies are born with roundworm or pick it up from their mothers in their milk. It is important that we treat all cats and dogs and especially puppies and kittens for this as it can cause blindness and other problems in children. We also treat against hookworm and tapeworm, and lungworm in dogs. Please talk to your vet about vaccinations as these are really important.
Little puppies and kittens can go downhill very quickly if they become unwell. It is important that you seek veterinary advice as soon as you are worried. We also recommend you have medical insurance to cover veterinary fees.

A Pet Isn’t Just For Christmas

It’s best not to introduce a new pet to your home at busy times. This is one of the reasons vets and animal welfare organisations advise NOT getting a new puppy or kitten at Christmas time. A new puppy or kitten needs quiet time to get accustomed to your home. If you’re planning on getting a new addition do all the preparation work over the holidays but bring them home in the new year when all the decorations have been put away and there’s not an endless stream of parties and visitors.

Puppy Training

We recommend you take your puppy to a training class even if you’ve had a puppy before. It’s really good for the puppy to socialise with other puppies and a nice way to make friends (of the human and dog variety).
 
Enjoy them!

Emma the Vet

Notting Hill & Barons Court Vet