Author: Sammy Kirton, RVT; Edited by the Wellington Team
This information package will address some of the most common questions and concerns owners have when their new puppy or kitten comes home. The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) regularly releases pet owner guidelines that veterinarians across the US and Canada refer to, and you will find their latest recommendations here.
We cover the following topics in this guide for new pet owners:
- Pet Insurance
- Nutrition
- Do’s and dont’s of the Human World
- Training
- Vaccines
- Parasite Prevention
- Spay & Neuter
- Emergencies
Pet Insurance
Pet Insurance is an important financial option to help you manage unexpected costs that arise when your pet requires care and you want access to the best possible treatment for them. Most insurance plans cover 80% – 90% of the cost of care, injury, or illness. However, pre-existing conditions will most likely not receive coverage. This is why getting pet insurance as early as possible in your pet’s life is key.
Dr. Redford offers his opinion about pet insurance in this blog and video.
Your monthly fee will depend on the type of coverage/plan you purchase. The insurance company will reimburse your veterinarian costs after the deductible for each claim you submit. Ensure you research all available options to find a plan that best suits your needs and those of your pet. All insurers offer a variety of options which could include some of the following:
- Accidents
- Illnesses
- Cancer treatments
- Hereditary and congenital conditions
- Emergency care and surgery
- Prescriptions/Medications
- Diagnostics
- Geriatric care
- Behavioural conditions
- Dental issues
- Prosthetics and wheelchairs
- End-of-life care
- Travel coverage
Our clients have used the following insurers.
Nutrition
The Association of American Feed Control Officials is a non-profit organization that sets standards for both animal feeds and pet foods in the United States. Here are their guidelines for pet owners.
Your pets depend on you, and nutrition is a crucial part of their life and growth. We understand how choosing the most appropriate diet for your pet can overwhelm you, and that’s why we are here to help! Younger animals have different nutritional needs from their adult counterparts. They require a strong foundation to prevent future disease, deficiencies, and obesity. Their food must support their growth and development. Usually, puppies and kittens are weaned off of mom’s milk when you receive them at around 8 weeks old. The nutritional requirements of puppies and kittens will change over the first year as they grow and put on weight. Cats and small/medium-sized dogs mature at around 9-10 months, while large and giant breeds reach full size and maturity between 18-24 months.
Adjusting Your Pet’s Diet
Your pet’s specific nutrition needs depend on their breed and other factors, however, their weight will give you a good starting point. Here is a useful webpage to help you determine whether your pet’s weight is optimal.
Animal feed companies provide a chart at the back of their packaging that shows how much food your pet will require according to their weight. As they grow heavier they will require more food. Scheduling annual pet wellness checkups will allow your vet to determine if your pet’s feeding regime requires adjustments.
To help prevent any stomach/ gastrointestinal concerns, new foods should be introduced slowly. Following our 7-day plan to gradually introduce a new diet to your pet is a safe and responsible method of transitioning. Some pets with sensitive stomachs may need a longer transition period.
| Day(s) | New Food | Old Food |
| 1-2 | 25% | 75% |
| 3-4 | 50% | 50% |
| 5-6 | 75% | 25% |
| 7-8 | 100% | 0% |
Here is another useful guide specifically on how to transition dogs to a new diet.
Raw Food Diets
If you are considering a raw food diet for your pet, then here is what Dr. Redford recommends. Typically, a raw diet is made up of raw organ meats, muscle meat, freeze-dried or dehydrated meat, whole or ground bone, raw eggs, dog-safe fresh fruits and vegetables, and/or dairy product(s). Many benefits come with these diets but the risks are greater. Dr. Redford’s recommendations mirror those of the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Freeze-dried, dehydrated, and air-dried products
Studies have even shown that freeze-dried pet foods and treats (such as liver treats) present the same amount of risk to a person’s health as conventional raw meat diets. The freeze-drying process preserves many bacteria.
Grain Free Diets
The correlation between grain-free diets and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), is currently being studied by the American Food & Drug Administration. DCM is a dangerous heart disease that increases the heart’s size and decreases the ability to pump blood, this often leads to congestive heart failure. 90% of diets that DCM patients were eating were grain-free.
Do’s and Don’ts of The Human World
Pets enjoy exploring the world, often with their mouths. This often gets them into trouble and potentially dangerous situations. To keep your pet safe, check your home and yard for plants or objects that may cause an emergency visit.
It is also important to know what human foods are safe to give your pet and which are harmful, click the links to read more.
Ingesting Foreign Objects.
Pets are curious, and among the most serious reasons for a veterinarian visit is after they ingest an object that is non-digestible. The foreign object cannot pass through the intestinal tract easily and causes an obstruction. Sometimes small pieces pass through and are visible in vomit or feces. Most objects require removal by surgery. Necrosis (dead or dying tissue) can occur if the object is left in the intestinal tract for too long,
In this matter, prevention is the most important thing you can do. Do not leave your pet unattended or within reach of objects they find “ingestible”.
If your pet has ingested something, then contact your veterinarian urgently. Signs and symptoms to watch for are:
- vomiting
- anorexia (loss of appetite)
- abdominal pain
- dehydration
- diarrhea (with or without the presence of blood)
Objects Commonly Ingested by Pets
Pet Poison Helpline
If you suspect your pet has gotten into something that you think may be toxic, contact poison control to speak directly to a toxicologist.http://petpoisonhelpline.com Note the USD 85.00 consultation fee.
Do not attempt any treatment until you have spoken to a certified professional as this could do more harm than good. Not all home treatments work on or are safe for every pet.
Training
Learning new tricks is excellent for all ages and breeds, and also, you CAN teach an old dog new tricks. Training can improve the overall health and intelligence of your pet, by creating a healthy bond between the two of you and increasing their confidence, trust, and communication with you. Desensitizing your pet to various types of situations, such as guests in your home, crawling babies, and social interactions with other humans and animals will also help reduce their anxiety during veterinarian or dog grooming visits. Behavioural disorders are the #1 reason why pets are relinquished or abandoned. Early intervention through training can help both of you maintain a strong animal-human bond.
This dog trainer’s website will address common puppy and dog training questions.
Positive Reinforcement
“Kindness is powerful” – Positive reinforcement is a widely used and proven method for training. During this training you are committing to your pet; providing gentle but effective leadership, by embracing the power of positivity and creating a common language. This helps build trust and respect between you and your companion. This language guides your pet into making the right choice without damaging the relationship between the two of you.
The reward does not have to be food, it can be replaced with something equally important to them. This could be toys, games, walks, pets, rubs, etc. Here is more about positive reinforcement.
House Training
One of the most important life skills you can teach your pet is how to take care of itself and the home it shares with you. It is KEY to a happy, healthy relationship between you two. There are many different ways to potty train your puppy, including positive reinforcement, paper training and crate training. Regardless of the method, be prepared for them to eliminate at the following times:
- Immediately after meals
- After training sessions
- Shortly after waking
- After vigorous play
- During or after a stressful event
- When overly excited
Please also remember that scolding your pet after inappropriate elimination can cause fear and make them toilet “in secret”. Punishing your pet for their mess should NEVER be done as dogs do not eliminate inappropriately out of spite. Poorly house-trained puppies should not be left home alone without supervision.
Crate Training
Everyone has their favourite or safest place to be, whether that is your home, your bedroom, a hidden room in your house, etc. Your canine friends also want the same. When used correctly, a crate can become your pet’s comfort zone for sleeping and/or quiet time. It can also be a highly effective toilet training tool as well as a comfortable den. The crate should be comfortable with toys and soft bedding. Your pet should have enough space in their crate to have water and/or food while laying down, they should also be able to turn around in the crate. Crate training is not to be used as a disciplinary action. This is a place for your dog to feel safe and comfortable. Dogs are clean creatures and don’t like urine or feces-filled bedding any more than we do. For additional information on crate training and the do’s and don’ts please click here.
Litter Training
Much like their canine counterparts, kittens, and cats also enjoy being in a clean environment. The ancestors of cats have always buried their excrement to hide it from predators. Kittens should be very easy to train to use the litter box. Some of the key components are: Having the right supplies (litter boxes, litter, etc.), avoiding punishing or scolding them if they make mistakes, and always keeping up on cleaning the litter box to ensure your pet feels comfortable. It may also take time to figure out which litter box style your cat likes or dislikes (i.e. some cats love covered boxes and some hate them). The type of litter may also be a factor for your kitten as there is a large variety of options and each cat has their preference. Please click here to read additional information on litter training your kitten or cat.
Here are some of the trainers we recommend:
- Drop the Leash – Laura Hunter 416-771-2217
- Canine Campus – Lucinda Glenny 905-477-8092
Additional Resources:
- Karen Pryor Clicker Training: https://www.clickertraining.com/
- https://positively.com/
Vaccines
Why vaccinate your pets?
Vaccines are proven to be an integral part of an animal’s health and life. Your pet can succumb to many illnesses and diseases, some of which are life-threatening. Vaccinations decrease the chances of acquiring them. Cats and dogs have “core” vaccines and lifestyle-dependent vaccines. Your veterinarian can help create a vaccine regime for your pet based on the lifestyle and area you live in that will provide the best and safest protection. More information about vaccines for dogs can be found here.
Common Canine Vaccines and What They Protect Against:
DA2PP – Distemper, Adenovirus 2, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza (“core” vaccine)
Lepto – Leptospirosis. See here.
Bordetella – “Kennel Cough.” See here.
Common Feline Vaccines and What They Protect Against:
FVRCP – Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia (“core” vaccine)
FeLV – Feline Leukemia Virus. See here.
For both canines and felines, it is mandatory in Ontario to be vaccinated against the Rabies Virus.
To read more about each “core” vaccine and how it can affect your pet, click HERE
Vaccine Schedule
Parasite Prevention / Treatment
Parasites are organisms that live inside or on a host organism. They feed themselves at the expense of the host. Puppies and kittens have immature immune systems. They commonly have intestinal parasites passed down to them from their mother or the environment. Maintaining monthly doses of year-round parasite prevention is your best defence against internal and external parasites. While not all symptoms associated with parasites are life-threatening, parasites can cause irritation and discomfort. Some parasites can cause some unwanted diseases as well. Most importantly, some parasites are zoonotic, meaning that we can acquire them from our pets, so practicing safe hygiene is always extremely important. Lyme disease is spread by ticks and becoming an increasing problem in Ontario.
Types of Parasite Prevention/Treatments
There are 2 different applications available for parasite prevention: Topical and oral. Both are absorbed by the body and spread throughout the body so when a parasite feeds off of your pet it will ingest the medication and die. Topical is applied externally to the skin of your pet (usually between the shoulder blades). Once administered you cannot bathe your pet or touch the skin and fur in the location it was applied for around 24 hours. Oral is administered by mouth (in chew, pill, or liquid form).
Preventatives and What They Cover
Here are 5 prevention and treatment options that we recommend.
Spay & Neuter
Responsible pet owners spay and neuter their pets to help them live longer, healthier, and happier lives. New pet owners always have lots of questions about the procedure and remain very concerned about putting their pets through something painful. Spaying prevents uterine and mammary cancers which are malignant (cancerous) in about 50 percent of dogs and 90 percent of cats. Neutering can prevent testicular and prostate cancer.
Emergency Information
Unfortunately, even when pet owners are careful and take every safety precaution possible, accidents and crises happen. Here is what to do immediately to assess the situation. Keep the following list of numbers you can call in an emergency:
Toronto Veterinary Emergency Hospital: 416-247-8387 21 Rolark Dr, Scarborough, ON M1R 3B1
Animal Health Partners: 416-380-7400 1 Scarsdale Rd, North York, ON M3B 2R2
Veterinary Emergency Clinic 416-920-2002 920 Yonge St Suite 117, Toronto, ON M4W 3C7
404 Emergency Hospital: 1-905-953-1933 510 Harry Walker Pkwy S, Newmarket, ON L3Y 0B3
Veterinary Emergency Clinic of York Region: 1-905-953-5351 1210 Journey’s End Circle – Newmarket
Central Toronto Veterinary Emergency Clinic 416-784-4444 1051 Eglinton Ave. W. Toronto, Ontario M6C 2C9.