Your Essential Puppy And Kitten Guide
Learn all you need to know about introducing a new puppy or kitten into the family.
Getting a new puppy or kitten is an exciting time, but it can be stressful too. With so much to learn about how to give your pet the best start in life, becoming a new owner can sometimes feel daunting.
Click the options below to read our essential guides for caring for your puppy or kitten, and download your free Puppy and Kitten Guide, packed with information about their first year.
Their first steps
When you bring your puppy home, it’s a good idea to take them to your local vet for a thorough check up. Your vet will check them closely for signs of illness, as well as their heartbeat and temperature to make sure they’re in good health.
Your vet will also speak to you about important regular care for your puppy’s first year, including:
- Vaccinations
- Microchipping (a legal requirement for all dogs in the UK)
- Flea and worm treatment
- Neutering
- Pet Insurance
- Dental care
Settling them in
How you welcome your new puppy into the family can have a big impact on their first few months, and often shapes how they develop as an adult. Giving them lots of care and attention builds a strong bond between you and your pet, and introducing them to people of all ages helps them become a confident, friendly pup.
Try and socialise them to a wide variety of situations and environments as early as possible to help them grow into a well-rounded, happy adult. For example:
- Hoover
- Lawnmower
- Other animals
- Elderly people
- Small children and babies
- Doorbell
- Washing machine
Try and think of instances they may regularly come across as your pet. For example, if you have children, familiarise them with loud toys and the school run. Similarly, if you live near a main road, get them used to car noises and traffic.
Your free puppy and kitten guide
We want to empower you to become a caring and responsible owner by giving you all the information you need to make informed choices about your pet. That’s why we’ve put together our puppy and kitten guide, to help you with your new family member.
With all the facts about vaccinations, neutering and microchipping, it also includes helpful advice to help you train and socialise your pet. You can also monitor their weight with our handy charts and track all the necessary milestones during the first year of their life.
Their first steps
When you bring your kitten home, it’s a good idea to take them to your local vet for a thorough check up. Your vet will check them closely for signs of illness, as well as their heartbeat and temperature to make sure they’re in good health.
Your vet will also speak to you about important regular care for your kitten’s first year, including:
- Vaccinations
- Microchipping
- Flea and worm treatment
- Neutering
- Pet Insurance
- Dental care
Settling them in
How you welcome your new kitten into the family can have a big impact on their first few months, and often shapes how they develop as an adult. Giving them lots of care and attention builds a strong bond between you and your pet, and introducing them to people of all ages helps them become a confident, friendly cat. Don’t forget, although adult cats can sleep most of the day, kittens have plenty of energy, so you’ll need to give them plenty of exercise and entertainment as they grow.
Try and socialise them to a wide variety of situations and environments as early as possible to help them grow into a well-rounded, happy adult. For example:
- Hoover
- Lawnmower
- Other animals
- Elderly people
- Small children and babies
- Doorbell
- Washing machine
Try and think of instances they may regularly come across as your pet. For example, if you have children, familiarise them with their loud toys. Similarly, if you live near a main road, get them used to car noises and traffic.
Your free puppy and kitten guide
We want to empower you to become a caring and responsible owner by giving you all the information you need to make informed choices about your pet. That’s why we’ve put together our puppy and kitten guide, to help you with your new family member.
With all the facts about vaccinations, neutering and microchipping, it also includes helpful advice to help you train and socialise your pet. You can also monitor their weight with our handy charts and track all the necessary milestones during the first year of their life.
