Got a new puppy or kitten? Congratulations on your new addition! We’re delighted to welcome you and your new puppy/kitten to Heights Hospital for Animals in Yorktown Heights NY 10598. Even though bringing a new pet home is an exciting experience, it can also be a lot to process all at once. Setting up your house for your pet, getting supplies, finding a vet, the list goes on! Dr. Aparna Modi and her team are here to answer any questions you may have!

Surprise! You’ll Need Supplies!

Your new puppy or kitten is going to need some “gear” to get them set up in their new home.

For puppies it’s recommended to get a collar, leash(es), food/water bowls, food, toys, and a dog crate. For certain dogs such as brachycephalic breeds (“short-faced” dogs like bulldogs, pugs, etc) it’s recommended to get a harness to walk them on to alleviate pressure on their neck.

For kittens it’s recommended to get a cat-safe collar, food/water bowls, food, litter boxes, litter, a cat carrier, toys, and possibly a cat tower.

Supplies matter: you want to set up your new pet for success! One size doesn’t necessarily fit all, and while some supplies can be used for both puppies and kittens, some supplies are more specific.

• Be sure that the food you’re purchasing is specific for the species and age your pet is. Puppy and kitten foods are different from dog and cat foods. Your young pet needs different levels of nutrients and more calories than their adult or senior counterparts.
• For cats, be sure that you’re purchasing a cat safe collar. Belt-loop collars and small dog collars won’t come undone if excess pressure is applied. If your cat is climbing or playing with another animal and gets their collar stuck, it can lead to injury or choking. If your cat goes outside, there is a risk that their collar could get caught on something and your cat would be stuck or hurt themselves trying to escape.
• On the flip side, it’s important to have a regular/non-breakaway collar for your dog. Otherwise, if you or your puppy put pressure on the leash their collar will snap off!

Why Bring A Healthy Kitten Or Puppy To The Vet?

It may seem silly, but taking your new pet to the vet as soon as possible is actually very important! We all like starting with a “clean slate”, so seeing your new pet right away can help us establish their healthy baseline. Just like you wanting to bond with your new pet, we want to get to know them too! Bringing your pet to the vet early on (and hopefully before there are any health concerns) helps them bond with their medical team. It’s also beneficial for your new puppy or kitten to get used to being handled in a hospital setting to set them up for success/have them feel more comfortable receiving medical care later on in life.

If you have other pets in your home, bringing your new puppy or kitten to the vet is important to protect your existing pets. It’s important to know that your new addition is healthy before introducing them to other pets in your home. Many diseases and parasites are easily transmitted from pet-to-pet.

Animals are also very good about hiding signs of illness, so a thorough physical exam performed by Dr. Aparna Modi, could catch any issues early on.

What To Bring To Your Appointment

Many puppies and kittens have parasites (like worms or giardia) and may not show outward signs of these infections. Bringing a fresh (same-day) fecal sample to your appointment for us to test will give us the answers we need to help you and your pet. If they’re positive for parasites, the appropriate dewormer will be prescribed

Prior records, either from a rescue, breeder, or previous owner will help us determine what vaccines your pet needs and when they need them boostered. Many vaccine series are started early in your pet’s life and are boostered until a specific age. Prior records also help build a “bigger picture” for your puppy or kitten. Has a previous veterinarian noted something like a heart murmur or other medical issue during an exam? Has a fecal sample been tested previously? Perhaps they’re in the middle of a deworming course or due for a repeat test. Likewise, recordings of vital information like your pet’s weight at prior veterinary visits can help determine if your pet is growing the way they should. We also want to make sure that their teeth are coming in as they should (dogs and cats have “baby” teeth and “adult” teeth like people do!). Believe it or not, even information like what area of the country your new addition was rescued from/bred in can be valuable for your doctor to know. Certain parts of the country are known to have different parasites or diseases, so it’s important to be aware of that information.

What Else To Consider

If you have another pet in your house, it’s important to introduce your new puppy or kitten the correct way. We don’t want to start off on the “wrong paw”. A positive

introductory experience sets up your pets’ relationship for long-term success. Your veterinarian, Dr. Aparna Modi, and her medical team can discuss techniques to best introduce your pets to each other.

Just like children, new puppies and kittens are good at getting “into trouble”. Normal/everyday household objects can be unexpectedly hazardous for your new pet. Cleaners, common houseplants (like lilies) and even certain foods (chocolate, artificial sweeteners, macadamia nuts) can be toxic to your new pet. Things like plastic bags, socks, children’s toys etc can cause health issues if your pet chews on or ingests them. This is why it’s important to “puppy-proof” or “kitten-proof” your house. Putting potential hazards in an area that is inaccessible to your pet helps protect them from these dangers. In situations where there are high stairwells, it may be a good idea to gate them off until your pet is bigger and can navigate them safely.

These are just a few considerations for your new puppy or kitten. At Heights Hospital for Animals, we understand that there are so many things to think about when you get a new pet. We’re here to help you with any concerns you may have. No question is “too silly”; we want you and your puppy or kitten to have the best start possible! Please give us a call at (914) 962-5579, text us at (833)-931-3060, or visit the office at 1865 Commerce Street, Yorktown Heights NY 10598 to set up an appointment with us. We look forward to seeing you and your new pet!