Puppies & Kittens
Congratulations on your new puppy or kitten!
There’s a lot of joy - and probably some nerves - to be had. Read on to get vet-approved guidance on making sure that your new furry family member has his or her best start in life.
WHY PUPPIES AND KITTENS NEED PREVENTIVE CARE
WHY SPLOOT VETS?
Daily Appointment Availability
We’re here for you when it matters most. Our clinic doors are open everyday, 365 days a year - including weekends and holidays, and we accept same day appointments and urgent-intakes.
Caring, Experienced Veterinarians
Our seasoned team specializes in both primary and urgent care. From unusual symptoms to evident injuries, you can count on us for exceptional care.
A Stress-Free Modern Clinic
Whether a dog or cat is brought to Sploot for routine dental care or tooth extraction, our stress-free clinic, friendly staff, and serene clinic environment makes the experience as calm as possible.
In-House Radiology & Lab
Radiographic exams and/or blood testing needed for virtually all surgeries. We offer these services in-house for your convenience.
Step by step guidance for your first few months as a new puppy or kitten parent!
STEP 01
Learn the Pet Parenting Fundamentals
Home preparation for your new pet
Training best practices
Socialization tips
The Ultimate Pet Parent’s...
STEP 02
Schedule Your Very First Puppy or Kitten Visit
What’s Included in a Puppy or Kitten Exam
A Comprehensive Snout-to-Tail Examination
Vaccination Recommendations
Time for All Your Questions
When to Schedule Your First Puppy or Kitten Exam
However, if you notice anything concerning your puppy or kitten — whether it’s unusual lethargy, loss of appetite, being underweight, vomiting, diarrhea, and so on — we recommend setting up an urgent appointment. We accept same-day appointments and urgent intakes (drop-offs).
STEP 03
Boost Your Young Furry Friend’s Immunity
Puppy Vaccination Schedule
*Generally recommended for dogs in Denver & Chicago.
Kitten Vaccination Schedule
All 3 of these viruses are highly contagious and potentially life-threatening to kittens. Two of these viruses (FVR and FCV) are carried for life once a cat is infected; they have no definitive cure.
Want to get on top of those vaccinations?
STEP 04
Keep Parasites Away
Fecal testing and thorough deworming is highly recommended. Our veterinarians will recommend the safest and most effective deworming medication.
Deworming Schedule for Puppies
Deworming Schedule for Kittens
STEP 05
Plan Ahead for Spaying and Neutering
Spaying and neutering also puts a stop to accidental breeding which can contribute to pet overpopulation. Both procedures are required by some municipalities in the USA and are endorsed by organizations like Humane Society International and the American Veterinary Medical Association.
When to Schedule Spaying or Neutering
Cats can be spayed or neutered a bit earlier, at around 4 months of age.
Ready to ace preventive care?
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Puppies and kittens, with their developing immune system, are generally more susceptible to getting sick than adult dogs. This is why it’s important to do the following measures to keep your puppy or kitten in good health:
- Maintain good hygiene
- Provide a nutritious diet that supports their development
- Avoid exposing young pets to other animals until critical vaccinations are complete (i.e no dog parks, pet stores, or any place where strange animals could have stayed in.)
- Get vaccinations as soon as it’s recommended by the veterinarian
- Have regular veterinary check-ups for complete preventive care
Some of the most common health problems for puppies and kittens include digestive problems, respiratory infections, parasites, and injuries. Regular checkups, vaccinations, and diligent preventive care practices help in reducing the risk of developing these health issues.
It is recommended to bring your new puppy or kitten to the vet as soon as possible for their first wellness exam. This allows the veterinarian to monitor their growth, screen for health issues, and administer vaccinations as soon as it’s needed.
Puppies and kittens typically require more frequent check-ups than adult pets to ensure their healthy growth and development. Our veterinarian will recommend a schedule based on your pet's specific needs.
Our veterinarians can help you create an individualized vaccination schedule for your puppy or kitten, which may include core vaccinations (e.g. for rabies, distemper, feline viral rhinotracheitis) and recommended non-core vaccinations (e.g. for bordetella, leptospirosis, and chlamydia felis)
Vaccines are either core or non-core. Core vaccines are routinely recommended because they address common diseases for all pets. Non-core vaccines are recommended by veterinarians based on specific needs.
For both puppies and kittens, initial vaccinations are spaced apart because the time between vaccines is needed to ensure optimal vaccine activity.
Puppies and kittens are not only more susceptible to contracting various diseases than older pets, they also tend to show more serious symptoms. This is because their immunity is still under development.
The best time to vaccinate your kitten or puppy is during the earliest recommended time or as otherwise advised by the veterinarian.
Yes. Each vaccine has a specific schedule of when the initial shot can be given and when the following shots need to be administered. Following the vaccine schedule diligently is necessary for effectively boosting your puppy or kitten’s immunity to diseases.
Fleas and ticks cause discomfort for puppies and kittens and, if left untreated, a flea or tick infestation can lead to serious health complications. Our veterinarians will recommend the best prevention and treatment options for your puppy or kitten.
Puppies can be trained at around 8 weeks of age while kittens can start litter training at around 4 weeks of age.
Once it’s time to train your pet, use positive reinforcement to encourage desired behavior. Reward your pet with treats and praise. Patience and consistency is key. It is also recommended to start with basic commands and to keep training sessions short.
For more information about training young pets, refer to our puppy and kitten guides!
Potty training a puppy or kitten can be a challenging task, but it is important to start early and be consistent. Similar to teaching basic commands, potty training is best done through positive reinforcement. For more information about training young pets, refer to our puppy and kitten guides!
Socializing your puppy or kitten is essential for their wellbeing. Though it is advisable to start early, it is recommended to wait a few weeks before introducing a new puppy or kitten to other pets so they can first get used to their environment. It is also recommended to only introduce puppies and kittens to other fully vaccinated, healthy pets.
When it’s time to introduce a puppy or kitten to other pets, keep them separate until they get used to each other’s scent. Make sure to do this in a calm and controlled environment and make sure to supervise the entire introduction. For more information about socializing young pets, refer to our puppy and kitten guides!
Yes! You can discuss any training or behavioral problems during your puppy or kitten’s wellness exams.
It is recommended to feed puppies and kittens three to four times a day until they are around six months old. After that, puppies and kittens can transition to being fed twice a day.
Nutritional needs vary depending on the size, breed, and unique needs of your puppy or kitten. Our veterinarians provide nutritional consultations to ensure that your young furry friend is getting all the nutrients they need for optimum growth and development.
In our puppy and kitten guides, we give recommendations on toys to get for your young furry companion. As a general tip, look for toys that are safe, non-toxic, and intended for puppies or kittens. Avoid toys with small parts that could be a choking hazard. If you suspect that your puppy or kitten has ingested a part of a toy, reach out to us for an urgent appointment.
We recommend that female dogs get spayed at 6 months of age. Meanwhile, male dogs can be neutered between the ages of 6 and 12 months. Cats can be spayed or neutered at around 4 months of age
A pre-surgical examination is done for all pets to ensure utmost safety for spaying or neutering. This pre-surgical exam determines if and when a pet can undergo spaying or neutering.
Pet insurance can be a great way to help avoid unexpected veterinary expenses. When choosing pet insurance, make sure to get coverage that is suited for your pet’s needs.
Pet parents can be reimbursed by their pet’s insurance, as long as the treatment falls within the scope of the plan.
Different pet insurance plans and wellness plans offer different types of coverage. Please contact your provider for questions or clarifications about your puppy’s or kitten’s insurance or wellness plan.
You can schedule your puppy or kitten’s visit hours, days, or weeks in advance. If you need an urgent appointment, our doors are also open for same-day appointments and urgent-intakes (drop-offs)!
We accept cashless payments only; this is to ensure the safety of our clinics and clients. We are pleased to accept all major credit and debit cards, as well as CareCredit and ScratchPay.
Got More Questions?
Feel free to call or text us with any questions you might have about caring for your dog or cat.
Ready For Exceptional Veterinary Care?
We accept scheduled, same day, and urgent-intake appointments at ALL of our clinics.
