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  • Ryan Farrugia

New kitten? Follow these essential first steps

Congratulations on your new kitten! Kittens are incredibly fun, loving, and full of personality, and will surely be a wonderful addition to your home.

However, there are some important things you should do in the first few days of getting a kitten to make sure they feel comfortable and secure in their new home.

These are the basic steps to follow when you get a kitten

1. Take your kitten to the veterinarian

Preferably during the first few days of having your kitten. The veterinarian will give them a complete examination to make sure they are healthy and recommend any necessary treatment and vaccinations to protect them against diseases.

Make sure to follow your veterinarian's recommendations for when to get your kitten vaccinated and keep their vaccinations up to date.

And spaying or neutering your kitten can also help reduce their risk of developing certain behaviors, such as spraying or fighting.

2. Create a special area for your kitten

Before getting your new kitten home, you need to prepare a place for them. Make sure you have a soft, comfortable bed for them to sleep in, as well as a litter box for them to use the bathroom, and Toys.

In another space place their food and fresh water that is within their reach at all times.

Once you get your kitten home, show them their new space, let them explore, and get to know the place. This will help them become familiar with their surroundings and feel more at ease.

You should also make your home safer for your kitten, such as covering electrical cords and removing any toxic plants.

3. Identify your kitten

Identify your kitten with a collar and ID tag or microchip in case it gets lost or runs away from home.

Both options provide identifying information that can help you reunite with your kitten if found by someone else.

However, always supervise and keep your kitten indoors for their own safety.

4. Introduce your new kitten to the family

Remember that this is a new environment and new faces for your kitty and at first, they will not feel safe.

Let the kitten be the one to approach family members and make sure that everyone speaks in a low,

calm voice so that the kitten does not feel overwhelmed.

5. Feed your kitten the right food

They need to eat specially formulated kitten food for their first few months of life, as they are growing and need a diet rich in protein and nutrients.

Kittens need to eat more frequently than adult cats, so establish a feeding schedule from the beginning. 

They should be fed at least three times a day, with the amount of food increasing as they grow. Also, they drink a lot of water and it is essential to their health to always have enough.

5. Socialize your kitten

Socializing kittens is an important part of their development, as it helps them become confident and well-adjusted cats.

Also, kittens are easier to socialize when they are young, as they are naturally curious and love to play, so using positive reinforcement techniques like treats and praise can help your kitten learn good manners.

By exposing them to a variety of people, places, and experiences and providing them with love and attention, you can help ensure that your kitten grows into a happy cat.

6. Training Your Kitten

Teach your kitten to use their scratching post

Scratching is a natural behavior for cats to keep their nails sharp and healthy, and it's necessary to give them a designated area to scratch… To protect your furniture!

Introduce your kitten to their litter box

Kittens tend by nature to bury their droppings, so you should teach them to use a litter box from an early age.

When you first bring your kitten home, show them where it is located and encourage them to use it by gently placing them in the box after they eat or drink.

Now you are ready to get a new kitten!

In addition to the above, make sure to provide your new kitten with games, love, and attention. They need it and will thrive when they receive it. Spend time playing with them, petting them, and talking to them to help them feel loved and secure.

Overall, the first few days with a kitten are an exciting time, and following these steps will help ensure that your kitten feels happy and healthy in their new home.

  • Ryan Farrugia

Puppy Prep: All you should do when you get a new puppy home

If you're considering adding a puppy to your family, congratulations! Owning a puppy is a wonderful and rewarding experience, but it's important to be prepared for the responsibilities that come with it. So in this post, we will tell you what you should know and do when you get a new puppy home.

All you need to know before getting a new puppy

1. Take your puppy to the vet

The first visit should occur within the first few days of bringing your puppy home, and is typically called a "wellness check."

Your puppy will receive vaccinations to protect against common diseases such as parvovirus, distemper, and rabies.

The vet will also perform a physical examination to check for any potential health issues and may also discuss important topics such as spaying or neutering, diet, preventative care, and more.

2. Puppy-proofing your house

When you get a new puppy, it's crucial to ensure your home is safe and welcoming for your furry friend.

One key aspect of this is puppy-proofing your space, this involves securing any toxic household items and hiding cords and cables that your puppy may try to chew on.

3. Create a designated space for your puppy.

This can be a crate, a small room, or a gated-off area of a room. This will give your puppy a safe and comfortable space to rest and sleep.

By setting up a designated area for your puppy, you can help them feel more at home and give them a safe and comfortable place to rest and sleep.

This can be especially helpful during the nighttime and when you are away from home, as it will give your puppy a sense of security and help prevent them from getting into mischief.

4. Essential supplies

Gathering the necessary supplies before bringing your new puppy home can help make the transition smoother and more enjoyable for both you and your furry friend.

Like a set of food and water dishes that are easy for your puppy to access, a collar and leash which is a necessary identification tool for your puppy, and a leash for walks and training.

They need a bed of the right size for your puppy to place in their designated area, also training pads can be used to help your puppy learn where it is acceptable to go potty.

And toys! Puppies are curious and energetic, so it's important to provide them with plenty of toys to play with.

5. Feed your puppy the right food

Puppies have different nutritional needs than adult dogs, they need a diet that is high in protein, fat, and other essential nutrients to support their rapid growth and development.

Choose a food that is made with high-quality protein sources, such as meat, poultry, or fish, as the main ingredient. It is also important to select a food that is formulated for your puppy's size and age, as smaller puppies have different nutritional needs than larger breeds.

Feed your dog the right amount of food. Follow the feeding guidelines on the food label and adjust the amount as needed based on your puppy's size, age, and activity level.

6. Puppy socialization

It is essential to socialize and train the puppy to become a polite and confident adult dog.

Puppy socialization is particularly important during the first three months of your puppy's life, as this is the critical socialization period when your puppy is most receptive to new experiences.

During this time, it is important to expose your puppy to a variety of people, places, and experiences in a positive and controlled manner.

7. Puppy training

Training is also important for helping your puppy learn appropriate behaviors and manners.

Start training your new puppy as soon as you bring them home by using positive reinforcement techniques, like giving them treats and praising their good behavior.

Also, teaching your puppy basic obedience commands, such as "sit," "stay," “here” and "come," can help them learn to follow directions and improve their overall behavior.

Here is the basic guidelines you need to know to get a puppy!

Bringing a new puppy into your home is a big commitment, but the rewards of having a furry friend are well worth it.

By following these steps, and taking the time to properly prepare and care for your new puppy, you can ensure that you and your furry friend have a happy and healthy relationship for years to come.

Welcome to Targa Pet Updates!

Hi There!

 

First off, welcome to our online pet shop! If you are a regular customer at the Kennels or the Grooming Parlour, thanks for visiting us at another site! For all the new customers, welcome!

 

We at Tat-Targa Kennels aim to provide excellent advice as part of our services, so we have started our own blog! This will be a learning experience for us, so bear with us if we get it wrong! We will try to bring you up to date information on anything pet-related! 

 

See you next time!

Ryan