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Nutrition is the first step in keeping your new puppy or kitten healthy. Puppies and kittens both thrive when fed a balanced diet that changes according to their age and life stage. Developing a healthy and nutritious diet for your puppy or kitten will help set the foundation for their growth, energy levels and overall health.
When choosing a puppy food you need to consider the ingredients, serving sizes and food quality. The following may help:
Puppy Formula – This nutritious, premium-quality commercial food developed specifically for puppies will provide all the necessary nutrients to accommodate their rapid growth.
Breed Formulas And Size – Make sure you buy the correct food for your puppy’s breed and/or size, so that your puppy receives the correct amount of food and doesn’t gain too much weight as it grows.
Clean Water – Clean, freshwater should be available every day.
Avoid Feeding Puppies Human Food – Human foods are a common cause of skin conditions, allergies and obesity in dogs. Fatty foods such as sausages and bacon are common causes for pancreatitis in dogs and must be avoided. Chocolate, onions, garlic, nuts, avocado and grapes are also toxic to dogs.
Meals should be spaced out evenly throughout the day and changing your puppy’s diet or moving on to adult food should be managed gradually over a week to avoid tummy upsets.
Here are some general guidelines for a feeding schedule for puppies that have been weaned from their mother’s milk:
Just like puppies, kittens require special dietary considerations for nutrition and feeding frequency.
To help foster proper growth and lifelong health, follow these guidelines for proper kitten nutrition:
Kitten Formulas – For the first year the best nutrition is specially formulated commercial food ‘for kittens’.
Small Meal Portions – Feed small amounts regularly. Don’t overfeed as this can cause diarrhoea, vomiting and weight gain.
Fresh Water – Make sure your kitten always has access to freshwater, and change it frequently.
Quiet, Secure Feeding Area – Feed your kitten in a clean, secure area away from lots of noise.
Establishing a feeding schedule with your kitten will help it develop lifelong good eating habits and avoid unhealthy weight gain.
Here’s a suggested feeding schedule for kittens that have been weaned from their mother’s milk:
If you want to change your kitten’s diet or transition to adult food, do so gradually over a week to avoid possible stomach irritation.
To prevent potential health issues, don’t feed your kitten these foods:
Other human foods are toxic to kittens and cats and should be avoided:
Puppies and kittens often have endless amounts of energy and enthusiasm and harnessing this energy into appropriate exercise regimes will also result in happier, healthier pets.
Puppies
As standard, the Kennel Club recommends five minutes of exercise per month of age and this can be carried out twice a day. For example, at eight weeks of age puppies should be exercised for 10 minutes, twice a day and at 4 months, it should be 20 minutes, twice a day.
Mental stimulation is just as important as physical exercise. It is recommended that puppies are physically exercised, mentally stimulated and allowed downtime so that they can rest and learn to focus through exciting events.
Mental stimulation is exercise for the brain and helps with:
Mental stimulation games to play:
Kittens
With cats and kittens, there is no set amount of exercise that should be carried out, but at least two play sessions per day for 15-20 minutes should help reduce boredom and keep them active.
The preferred methods of play for cats are:
Cats tend to hunt and be most active at dawn and dusk, which is a good time to play. Cats have a natural predatory sequence – search, stalk, chase, pounce, catch and manipulate. So, we must mimic the ‘catch’ part of this when playing with our kittens.
House Cats
Indoor cats may be more at risk of experiencing boredom and frustration so it’s important to plan exercise and activities for indoor cats to ensure they are stimulated.
Examples of enrichment for cats include:
Neutering your kitten or puppy is another really important thing that you can do for the well-being of your pet.
Kittens
It is usual for male kittens to be castrated from around four months of age before they start developing habits such as urine marking around the house. Female kittens come into heat every three weeks and become pregnant very easily. Therefore, we advise spaying from around four months of age.
Puppies
We usually recommend female dogs are spayed before their first season at six months of age, except for certain larger breeds when we recommend before their second season. As well as preventing unwanted pregnancies, early spaying has been proven to result in a huge reduction in the occurrence of mammary tumours in older female dogs. It also prevents life-threatening uterus infections. This protection is dramatically reduced after the second season.
We usually start talking about castration for male dogs from six months of age before they start to develop male traits, such as roaming and urine marking. This also reduces the risk of developing prostate problems, anal tumours and testicular cancer. Also, by having them castrated at a young age, this may reduce the risk of them being stolen for breeding.
If you would like to find out more, please get in touch with us. We’ll talk through the options and discuss what’s best for your pet, considering their age and breed.
Vaccinations help to protect your pets from severe infectious diseases. It also prevents them from passing anything nasty on to other animals in the area. It is another one of the most important things you should do as a new puppy or kitten owner.
To help protect kittens they’ll need two sets of vaccinations. Kittens should have their first set of vaccinations at nine weeks old and the second set to boost their immune system at three months old. After this, kittens and cats usually need ‘booster’ vaccinations every twelve months.
Until your kitten is fully vaccinated (and neutered), you should keep him or her inside. Your vet can advise which vaccinations your cat or kitten will need to help protect them from infectious diseases.
Puppies are typically vaccinated at eight and ten weeks (although they can be vaccinated as early as four-six weeks of age) with the second dose usually being given two to four weeks later. Your vet will be happy to advise you on the best timings.
Your puppy will then require a booster vaccination at 6 or 12 months of age. As your puppy grows into an adult dog it’s important to ensure you visit your vet and keep your dogs vaccinations up to date.
No matter how careful we are, pets can and do go missing. A very simple solution to this is to microchip you puppy or kitten as soon as possible. It is more comfortable for a puppy if they are at least 7 weeks old and under the microchipping law that came into effect in April 2016, all dogs and puppies MUST be microchipped and registered by the age of eight weeks.
Although there is no law for cats, it is equally as important. Many cats roam over large distances and even house cats are prone to escaping if the opportunity presents itself!
It is a quick and simple procedure where a tiny chip is injected under a pet’s skin. This chip contains a unique code that is linked to the pet owner’s details.
St Kitts Pet Health Plans are designed to save you money and help spread the cost of your pet’s routine and preventative treatment with simple low monthly payments. Plans are available for cats, dogs and rabbits and include worming treatment, booster vaccinations, microchipping and a six-monthly health check. Our Plus Plan additionally includes flea and tick treatment and a discount on your vet bills.
St Kitts Pet Care Plans are not designed to replace insurance and we recommend taking out a pet insurance policy to cover the costs in case of an accident or illness.
Please contact us for more details.
Pet insurance can be used for most illnesses and injuries and enables you to claim back veterinary fees (except for a small excess). What’s more, the younger your pet is when you insure them the better! It will help to:
There are many different types of pet insurance policies available on the market, so it’s important you choose the right level of cover for your pet. The four main types of policy are as follows:
Here at St Kitts Veterinary Group, we recommend an insurance company which offers a comprehensive lifetime policy to give you the best overall cover.
Puppy Parties are a great way to add to your socialisation training. These get-togethers are designed to teach your puppy how to interact with others, as well as giving you the chance to pick up some great hints and tips and ask any questions you might have. Why not bring your puppy along to our Puppy Parties at our Firgrove Veterinary Centre in Yateley? Please contact us for more details:
St Kitts Veterinary Centre: 01252 844044
Basingstoke Veterinary Centre: 01256 844944
Crookham Park Veterinary Centre: 01252 913990
Firgrove Veterinary Centre: 01252 877799
Summer is well and truly here but it brings with it some potential hazards for our pets. Read on to find out how to make sure your pets enjoy summer as much as you!
While the British summer cannot always be relied upon to be tropical, when the temperature does go up it’s important that we consider how this affects our furry friends.
NEVER leave pets in cars, conservatories, outbuildings or caravans on a warm day – even for a short while. When it’s 22°C outside, temperatures can quickly rise to 47°C (117°F) in these environments which can result in death.
It is really important that your pets have a constant supply of fresh, clean water throughout the day. Here are some ways to make sure they’re getting enough water:
The best way to protect your pet is to keep them out of the sun when it’s at its strongest.
Pets can suffer from pollen allergies just like we do! A high pollen count in spring or summer can mean misery for pets suffering from hay fever. Here are the symptoms to look out for:
It can sometimes be difficult to find out what’s causing your pet’s allergy but if it’s worse in summer and better in winter, pollen is the most likely culprit.
You can’t keep your pet indoors for months on end if pollen allergies strike. So what can you do during those months your pet is affected by allergies?
When the temperatures rise, the lure of the barbecue is irresistible. Here are some tips for making sure your BBQ is safe and fun for your pet too:
When the weather heats up, it’s natural to want to find some water to cool off. Swimming can be great exercise for dogs and it can be especially good for dogs with stiff or painful joints.
Not every dog is a water lover though. Dogs with short legs, like Corgis or short noses, like Pugs can find the effort of swimming really hard work. Even some dogs that are built for swimming don’t enjoy going out of their depth.
There are some diseases and poisons that can affect your dog if they’ve been swimming:
You can help keep your dog safe by picking a good swimming spot and staying up-to-date with their vaccinations. Wherever your dog’s been for a swim though, it’s a good idea to give them a good wash when they get home. This will clear their fur of anything they might have picked up in the water.
Summer brings with it many pleasures for you and your pet. By following the guidance above, you can ensure your pets stay happy and healthy throughout. If you have any concerns about your pet, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
St Kitts Veterinary Centre: 01252 844044
Basingstoke Veterinary Centre: 01256 844944
Crookham Park Veterinary Centre: 01252 913990
Firgrove Veterinary Centre: 01252 877799
For all the latest practice news and health information, check out our newsletter with the link below!
As the weather starts to warm up and we see the colourful spring flowers emerging in our gardens and parks, it is worth reminding ourselves that, what looks like nature at its best, can actually be quite harmful for our beloved furry friends.
Our pets are instinctively curious but not everything they explore is harmless. Some natural hazards are actually some of our everyday plants and flowers. If you have a new pet or one that you know has a tendency to eat things they shouldn’t, it may be worth familiarising yourself with the list of poisonous plants below.
Daffodils
All parts of a daffodil are harmful and are worth watching out for as dogs have been known to eat the bulbs. Sometimes just a small bite of a bulb is enough to kill a small animal. Even drinking the water that cut daffodils have stood in can make an animal really very ill.
Tulips & Snowdrops
The bulbs are the most toxic part of both these plants but in large quantities, any part of the plant can be toxic. They contain allergenic lactones that, if swallowed, can lead to vomiting, diarrhoea and also depression.
Geraniums
All parts of this common garden plant are poisonous to both cats and dogs. Ingestion can cause vomiting, reduced appetite and depression in animals. Skin contact with the leaves or broken stems can sometimes result in redness and irritation.
Azalea & Rhododendron
These shrubs are highly poisonous to cats and dogs, even if just a few leaves are eaten. Ingestion causes nausea, vomiting, depression, difficulty breathing and can even be fatal to dogs if eaten in large enough quantities.
Hyacinth & Amaryllis
The bulbs of these popular flowers are highly toxic to cats and dogs. Eating one can lead to drooling, vomiting and diarrhoea.
Iris and Gladioli
Both of these flowers belong to the Iridaceae family and can cause irritation when eaten. All parts of these are toxic but the bulb is most dangerous as it contains a higher concentration of harmful chemicals.
Rhubarb
Rheum rhabarbarium, known more commonly as rhubarb, contains soluble calcium oxalate crystals which can cause intense pain and irritation in the mouth and, when absorbed, can cause renal failure in animals.
Elder
The ripe black berries themselves are safe, if not advisable, for your dog to eat but the leaves, stems, unripened fruit and the root are all poisonous to dogs (as well as humans) as they contain cyanide, albeit in very small quantities.
Foxglove
Both the leaves and seeds of Foxgloves contain a toxin that can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, heart problems, fits and collapsing.
Hydrangea
Dogs or cats that consume enough hydrangea leaves, flowers or buds can suffer from vomiting and diarrhoea. In severe cases, hydrangea poisoning can cause lethargy, depression and confusion.
Lily Of The Valley
Lily Of The Valley flowers and leaves, often used in bouquets, are very poisonous to dogs and cats. They contain chemicals that can result in vomiting, diarrhoea, heart problems, fits and collapsing.
Nightshade
The nightshade plant is a shrub that produces purple flowers. While this plant is a native plant in many areas, it is extremely toxic to your dog and cat.
Lilies
All lilies are potentially poisonous, especially to cats. Eating or chewing the leaves, stems or flower heads can poison pets. Even the pollen can be harmful – cats may lick this off their fur after brushing against the flower head. Always make sure lilies in the house are kept in a place where your cat cannot access them.
Tomato
Tomatoes are in the nightshade family of vegetables, which means the plants contain a number of components that are harmful to animals. The ripened fruit are considered non-toxic but ingestion of green fruit and other parts of the plant can cause severe gastrointestinal distress, lethargy, weakness and confusion.
Yew
Nearly all parts of the plant are harmful, including dried clippings. Ingesting just a small amount of leaves can kill a dog because it contains taxines, which are highly poisonous to dogs and other small animals.
This is not an exhaustive list of poisonous plants so if you know or suspect that your pet has eaten anything they shouldn’t have and you are at all worried about them, please get in touch with your vet straight away. They will be happy to advise you of the level of risk to your pet and how urgent it is that they are seen.
Please contact us on:
St Kitts Veterinary Centre: 01252 844044
Basingstoke Veterinary Centre: 01256 844944
Crookham Park Veterinary Centre: 01252 913990
Firgrove Veterinary Centre: 01252 877799
For all the latest practice news and health information, check out our newsletter with the link below!
For all the latest practice news and health information, check out our newsletter in the link below!
Fireworks are an integral part of many celebrations, including Bonfire Night, Diwali and New Year’s Eve. While they can be fun for us, many pets have a different view. Fireworks often cause stress, anxiety and even aggression in pets. Keep reading for tips on preparing your home and pet for the upcoming fireworks season.
Fear Of Fireworks
A 2018 report by PDSA revealed that around 40% of cat and dog owners reported that their pet is afraid of fireworks. Loud bangs and high pitched sounds can be scary for our furry friends but with the right preparation and care, you can keep your pet calm and help them to cope.
Signs Of Stress In Pets
If you already know your pet becomes stressed, your vet can offer advice and may prescribe calming medication such as Nutricalm. If you aren’t sure, stressed pets can often exhibit the following behaviour:
Dogs:
Cats:
Rabbits:
What Can I Do To Ease My Pets’ Stress?
1. Plug in a pheromone diffuser
Pheromone sprays and diffusers such as Feliway and Adaptil can help ease pet stress and anxiety. Buy these in advance of a firework event, ideally a couple of weeks. Placing one or two around the house.
2. Walk dogs early
Avoid evening or late night walks so your dog isn’t outside when the fireworks start. Even if they don’t normally show fear around fireworks, dogs can be easily startled by loud, unexpected bangs. Gradually alter your normal walking routine about a week before fireworks occasions to get your dog used to the change. Make sure you keep them on a lead.
3. Keep cats inside
If your cat is an outdoor cat, it may be worth trying to keep them in when they come home earlier in the day. Otherwise, there’s a chance they will still be out when the fireworks start and may become scared and anxious.
4. Create a safe space
Creating a safe space in your house gives your pet somewhere calm and familiar to retreat to when they get scared. Fill a room or corner with food and water bowls, their favourite toys and bedding to create a pet-friendly haven.
6. Close windows, curtains, and blinds
Keep your windows shut and close any curtains or blinds to soundproof your home and shut out bright flashes that can scare pets. Don’t forget to lock the cat flap to prevent your cat from going outside.
7. Turn up the radio or TV
Turning on the radio or TV not only helps mask the loud bangs and crackles of fireworks, but also provides a familiar noise to help distract your pet. Play calming music or turn on a programme you watch regularly to help reassure your pet.
8. Consider bringing rabbit hutches indoors
Due to their sensitive nature, outdoor rabbits suffer the most when it comes to fireworks. One option is to bring their hutch inside during fireworks season. This could be in the house, garage, or shed and provides a solid barrier from the noise outside, helping to reduce their stress levels. If you’re unable to move them inside, lay a few thick blankets over their hutch to help muffle the bangs and keep them calm. Don’t forget to leave a suitable gap for ventilation.
9. Give rabbits extra bedding
Rabbits tend to burrow when they get scared, so adding some extra bedding into their hutch gives them plenty to hide in and helps them feel protected against the noise. You may also want to give them some extra hideaways, such as a cardboard box filled with hay, to ensure they have lots of opportunities to take refuge from the noise.
10. Stay at home
If at all possible, try to ensure that somebody is at home. This will help soothe your pet’s fears. Left to their own devices, pets could become very stressed and destructive in your absence. Keep talking to your pet and give them plenty of love and attention during the fireworks. Knowing you’re there to protect them will reassure them and keep them calm.
11. Give them a treat
A tasty treat can make a world of difference to your pet’s stress levels and it’ll also reward their good behaviour and bravery. A stuffed chew toy can keep dogs occupied for hours, while a treat puzzle ball can have the same effect on cats and rabbits. These stimulating toys help take their mind off what’s going on around them and can even help them forget their fears.
12. Make sure they’re microchipped
Spooked pets can run away, especially cats, so make sure they’re microchipped to make them easily identifiable. If your pet is already microchipped, make sure your contact details are up to date so you can be contacted straight away.
The morning after a nearby fireworks display, check your garden for any fallout or shrapnel that may pose a safety risk. Fireworks contain highly toxic ingredients that can be fatal to your pet if eaten, so remember to check your garden for debris and keep an eye out on your dog walks.
If you have any concerns over stress and anxiety in your pet, please contact us.
St Kitts Veterinary Centre: 01252 844044
Basingstoke Veterinary Centre: 01256 844944
Crookham Park Veterinary Centre: 01252 913990
Firgrove Veterinary Centre: 01252 877799
Our Hartley Wintney clinic is open as normal for URGENT AND EMERGENCY CASES ONLY. If your pet is unwell or already booked in for an appointment, then please call the number below where we can advise you on the steps to take.
Opening hours are:
Monday-Friday 8am-7pm
Saturday & Sunday 8.30am-4pm
Telephone number 01252 844044
Our Basingstoke clinic is open as normal for URGENT AND EMERGENCY CASES ONLY. If your pet is unwell or already booked in for an appointment, then please call the number below where we can advise you on the steps to take.
Opening hours are:
Monday-Friday 8am-7pm
Saturday 8.30am-4pm
Telephone number 01256 844944
Our Crookham Park and Firgrove clients – please call Hartley Wintney on 01252 844044 where we can see your pet for urgent and emergency cases. All pet’s records will be available at this clinic
Important additional information:
If you or anyone in your household are suffering from either of the two symptoms associated with Covid-19 (high temperature 37.9 degrees or above and/or a new continuous cough) we ask that you do not visit the clinic. Instead, please call the Basingstoke or St Kitts, Hartley Wintney on the numbers above where a member of staff will be able to help you with any questions/queries if your pet needs medical attention.
If you are classed as high risk by the NHS and are self-isolating, we advise that you have a plan for alternative arrangements such as, arranging a family member or friend to bring your pet into the clinic for appointments. If this is not possible, then please call the clinics to discuss how we can help you make other suitable arrangements.
All clients are to wait in their cars in the car park prior to appointments. Once you have arrived, please call the clinic to tell us you are outside and when your appointment is ready, we will call you and invite you into the clinic.
Clients are to come into the clinic on their own with their pet wherever possible. Only in exceptional circumstances will two people be allowed.
We will ask you to use the hand sanitisers provided on the reception desk upon arrival and departure, and kindly ask that you keep your distance of 2 metres (6 foot) between yourself, other clients and staff. Please avoid leaning over the reception counters.
Our staff are working tirelessly to keep up with hygiene standards at regular intervals.
Here at St Kitts, we pride ourselves on looking after our clients, their pets and our staff members. With the current situation surrounding Covid-19 it is important that we all stay safe and listen to official advice from gov.uk and NHS online.
As concern about Coronavirus or Covid-19 sweeps the globe, there is lots of advice being issued regarding human health but what about our furry friends? Can they catch it? Can they spread it? What should you do if you need to take your pet to the vet? Keep reading for all the answers.
The World Organisation for Animal Health states that ‘the current spread of COVID-19 is a result of human-to-human transmission. To date, there is no evidence that companion animals can spread the disease. Therefore, there is no justification in taking measures against companion animals which may compromise their welfare.’
One dog in Hong Kong has been found to have had the virus in its nasal and oral cavities after living in close contact with a COVID-19 patient. That dog developed no symptoms and is not suspected to play any role in the owner’s (or anyone else’s) illness.
The World Health Organization (WHO) states, “While there has been one instance of a dog being infected in Hong Kong, to date, there is no evidence that a dog, cat or any pet can transmit COVID-19.”
While dogs and cats appear to be unaffected by the latest Covid-19 virus, they do have their own coronaviruses to deal with but neither canine coronavirus nor feline coronavirus can infect people. It’s a very different type of illness.
Dogs love mental stimulation and it’s a great way to keep them entertained if walks are limited. Here are some tips to keep them happy inside.
There is no need for any animal to suffer during this period. If your pet needs vet care, call us for advice. Do not leave the house to go to your vet if you are self-isolating, even if you have no symptoms. We will do our very best to help arrange a way of getting your sick animal into the clinic to be seen by one of our vets.
As always, if you have any concerns about the health or wellbeing of your pet, please get in touch.
St Kitts Veterinary Centre: 01252 844044
Basingstoke Veterinary Centre: 01256 844944
Crookham Park Veterinary Centre: 01252 913990
Firgrove Veterinary Centre: 01252 877799
