Puppies & Kittens Your Questions Answered
If you have acquired or are thinking about acquiring a new puppy or kitten – congratulations!
You are on your way to a lot of love...and a lot of questions.
Dr. Kobi Johnson of BoosterPet answers some frequently asked questions to help make this journey as joyful and stress-free as possible.
Q. Which vaccinations do you recommend for puppies?
The cornerstone vaccines for puppies are the Distemper/Parvovirus four-way combination vaccine (starting at eight weeks and given every three to four weeks until 16 weeks of age) as well as Rabies (given at 16 weeks of age).
Other vaccines to consider include:
Bordetella, the vaccine that protects against kennel cough, for most dogs that leave the house, and is considered a core vaccine for any dog that visits the grooming salon, daycare, dog parks, or other social activities. Bordetella can be given as early as eight weeks and is generally good for one year.
The Leptospirosis vaccine, given in a two-part series, protects against a bacterial infection that can lead to kidney failure. Leptospirosis spreads in the urine of infected animals and therefore thrives in watery areas such as the Pacific Northwest. We recommend it for most dogs that leave the house and consider it a core vaccine for puppies that will hike, camp, and have exposure to bodies of water. Leptospirosis can be spread from animals to humans and may be especially important in households with immunocompromised owners.
Additional vaccines, such as Canine Influenza, Lyme, and Rattlesnake are location dependent and sometimes recommended for pets that travel outside Western Washington.
Q. Which vaccinations do you recommend for kittens?
Like puppies, the cornerstone vaccines for kittens include the Feline Distemper/Upper Respiratory three-way combination vaccine (starting at eight to 12 weeks of age and given again in three to four weeks) and the Rabies vaccine, given at 16 weeks.
A third vaccine, Feline Leukemia, is often reserved for cats that go outside. However, we often recommend this vaccine series for indoor kittens as well. The two-part series given during the kitten stage is intended to protect them if they were to ever escape later in life and encounter an infected cat.
Q. Why do puppies and kittens get a series of repeated vaccinations?
Puppies and kittens get maternal antibodies from their mothers, and the vaccinations that we administer for modern-day illnesses, such as parvovirus and kennel cough, compete against those maternal antibodies. To maximize immunity against these prevalent diseases, certain vaccines are given repeatedly as the immune system matures.
Q. My puppy received vaccinations from the breeder. Do these count toward their vaccination series?
It’s possible, though the age of your pet when they received that first vaccine and how the vaccine is stored and handled plays a role in its viability. It may still be recommended to receive the full series from a veterinarian.
Q. What (and how much) should I feed my new puppy or kitten?
With so many brands and feeding philosophies out there, it is easy to become overwhelmed. We recommend a few keystone tips to ensure you are providing adequate nutrition:
Feed the correct food for your pet’s life-stage. Young animals should be on a puppy or kitten formulation until roughly one year of age.
Large breed dogs (typically anything with a projected adult weight over 45 lbs.) can benefit from a large-breed or high-energy formulation. These foods are formulated to prevent them from growing too quickly which could help reduce bone and joint diseases.
Foods differ widely in nutritional density. When deciding how much to feed, start with the manufacturer recommendations provided on the bag or can, and then adjust from there. If your new furry friend is consistently gaining weight while maintaining a lean physique, then they are likely getting the right amount of food. When young, most of an animal’s nutrition goes to developing and strengthening their musculoskeletal system and therefore may appear lean during the first eight to ten months of age. That is ideal! We like lean puppies and kittens; there is no benefit later in life to having excess fat during the growing phase.
If your new pet has a good appetite, is consistently gaining weight, shows minimal gastrointestinal upset (vomiting, diarrhea, gas), has good energy, and is not overly itchy, then they are on an appropriate diet.
Q. How often should I feed my puppy or kitten? Is it okay to leave food out and let them graze?
We recommend feeding puppies and kittens three times daily until four to six months of age and then switching to twice daily if they have been gaining and maintaining weight appropriately. You will have had two to three vet visits during this time, and your veterinarian should be tracking their weight and advising if adjustments are needed. Feeding measured amounts at consistent times throughout the day is better than free-feeding, or leaving food out for them to graze on, for a couple of reasons:
Firstly, many puppies and kittens cannot self-regulate their food intake, and are therefore prone to overeating. This can lead to obesity-related health problems for them and is more expensive for you!
Secondly, providing pre-measured meals at specified times and then monitoring completion of that meal tells you how much your pet is consuming, so that you can adjust when needed.
Third, it creates routine for them, which our pets crave, and can create moments throughout the day for you to connect and check-in with your pet.
Fourth, many households contain multiple pets, and it is important your pet gets the food intended for them. Puppy and kitten food is high in fat and therefore a delicious, attractive option to your adult pets. We do not want your little one missing out on important nutrients and having to compete for food, thus reducing the risk of developing food aggression.
Q. How important is it to spay or neuter my pet?
There are few procedures more beneficial to your pet’s health and wellbeing than a spay (for females) or neuter (for males). If allowed to stay intact, your pet will face a higher risk of cancer, infection, and behavioral issues. We know anesthesia and surgical recovery seems scary to many; however, medical advancements have minimized anesthetic risks and thousands of these procedures are completed safely in the United States daily. These procedures have the potential to add years to your pet’s life!
Q. At what age should I spay/neuter my pet?
For small breed dogs (with a projected adult weight under 45 lbs.) aim for procedure completion at six months of age. Large breed puppies (with a projected adult weight over 45 lbs.) we recommend procedure completion at nine to 15 months. This allows their musculoskeletal system to reach maturity, which research shows can reduce their risk of many orthopedic diseases, such as hip and elbow dysplasia. Kittens are more straightforward; aim for procedure completion at five to six months of age.
Q. What are your favorite tips for potty training?
Patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement are key (avoid punishment for accidents and offer lots of opportunity for and praise when your pet eliminates appropriately). With these tenants, we rarely encounter dogs and cats that continue to have inappropriate elimination. Often in these cases, we look for a medical or behavioral reason and provide support or solutions where we can. Crate training is an excellent tool as well, as puppies will avoid eliminating in the same space where they rest or play.
Q. How important is crate training for my puppy?
Very! Crate training is not putting your puppy in jail. Instead, it is a wonderful way to provide your puppy with a safe space to call their own, and to provide some boundaries and practice healthy separation. It can also aid in potty training, as dogs will not typically eliminate in the same space as they are expected to rest or play. Crates should be the correct size: large enough that they can stand, sit, and turn around easily, but not so big that puppies can urinate or defecate in one corner and sleep comfortably in another corner. Also, puppies should never be placed in their crates as punishment. A dog that feels comfortable in a crate is beneficial for many things during the puppy stage but will also prove helpful later in life. We highly recommend it!
Q. At what age can I introduce my puppy to social events such as daycare and play groups?
We understand that your puppy has a lot of energy to burn, and that it may be tempting to watch them play with others for a few hours. It is best to wait until your puppy is fully vaccinated (likely just after 16 weeks) before introducing them to dog parks, daycare centers, and playgroups. Puppy obedience classes are highly recommended to start as early as eight weeks (before bad habits start to form) and are considered safe if it is structured so that participants are practicing what we now call “social distancing.”
Q. Why should I consider basic formal training for my puppy?
Though a largely domesticated species, dogs are hardwired for travelling in a pack, hunting for every meal, and always maintaining a sense of watchful vigilance. Without this sense of purpose and hierarchical nature of their pack, our pets are increasingly prone to anxiety, reactivity, aggression, destructive habits, issues with separation, and hyperactivity. Formal basic training, such as a puppy obedience class, will teach you to provide your pet with structure and routine and give you and your pup tools to deal with everyday stressors. Any kind of training or curriculum provided by a trained behavioralist is highly recommended to set your pet down a path towards positive behavioral health.
Q. Are there any vet-approved toys that you recommend for puppies and kittens?
Durable, fillable chew toys are great for puppies, as it satisfies their need to chew and is helpful when teething. They are also a great training tool, will keep them busy, and fights boredom. Another excellent option are food puzzles, or toys that contain their food or treats and must be “solved.” There are many options out there that provide valuable mental and physical stimulus and distraction.
Kittens will benefit from toys that elicit their instinct to hunt and mimic the movements of birds and mice, for example.
For both species, it is never too early to start them down the path to good oral health using dental chews and toys, which will help with teething during the early months.
Q. What are the advantages of keeping my cat indoors?
Cats are natural hunters and can roam for long distances when given the opportunity. Unfortunately, among cats that are allowed outside, the veterinary industry sees a high incidence of disease transmission, hit-by-car incidents, fight wounds, parasitic infections, and lost pets. The instinct to get out and explore the world can be strong but poses a large risk to your cat’s health and longevity (not to mention often results in larger vet bills!)
There are plenty of ways to spark your cat’s curiosity indoors, including simulated food “hunts” staged around the house, high surfaces where they can watch over their kingdom and toys that promote them to stalk or chase. Products such as catnip or pheromone diffusers are also great ways to provide your kitten with mood support, right from the start!
Q. What is the best way to introduce a kitten to a household with adult cats?
Admittedly, this can be tricky, and the process can be unpredictable. The best chance of success it to introduce new housemates slowly, starting with just their scent. Over the course of a few days, use something that smells like your kitten and incorporate into your existing pet’s bedding and play areas. Keep the kitten and existing cat separate during this time, and then introduce slowly, at first through barriers before allowing them to come face-to-face. If you see signs of aggression or stress (hissing, swatting, vocalization, attacking, excessive hiding or grooming and urinating outside the litterbox), go back a few steps and try again.
Enriching your existing pet’s environment will help, such as adding toys, additional places to sleep or hide, and a high surface for them to keep a watchful eye can help relieve a lot of stress. Pheromone diffusers prior to their introduction will also provide mood support. It can take time and unfortunately not all cats are meant to be housemates. Planning and incorporating these tips will go a long way toward achieving a peaceful multi-cat household!
Q. How important is parasite prevention for my puppy or kitten?
We think it is very important! Both puppies and kittens have immature immune systems and are therefore vulnerable to parasitic infections. A comprehensive monthly prevention can protect against fleas, Heartworm, ticks, intestinal worms, and skin and ear mites. We recommend all puppies and kittens start their parasite control at eight weeks of age and continue year-round here in the Pacific Northwest, which has a temperate climate favorable to parasite populations.
Many parasites are transferrable to humans, especially children, and therefore monthly parasite prevention plays a role in the health of the entire family. Prevention is key and is so much easier than treating a parasitic infection.
Q. What about pet insurance? How important is this?
We know your new ball of fur seems perfect now, and that it is an added monthly expense, but we are huge advocates for pet insurance! The best time to start pet insurance is during the puppy and kitten stage - before there are any pre-existing conditions on your pet’s record - which are often excluded from insurance coverage. The pet insurance market has grown exponentially in the past few years, and there is a policy out there for every budget. They also now include wellness and preventative care options. Facing medical decisions for your pets will be challenging enough; having insurance will lesson that stress.