Hudson Veterinary Hospital - Low Cost Spay and Neuter Programs in Ossining, NY

Tips for Successfully Bringing Home a New Kitten

A cat’s natural tendencies towards fastidiousness, affection, and self-reliance make him a great option for a prospective pet owner. One of your first steps after choosing your new pet should be to take him to your animal hospital for a checkup. If you choose to bring home a kitten, here is what you should know to successfully introduce your new friend to his new home:

Prepare Your Home Beforehand

• Your kitten will need a warm bed and a litter box placed in separate, secluded spots around the house for privacy. He will also need high-quality cat food that is high in protein, fatty acids, and calories. Also, kittens love to make use of their claws, so be sure to buy a scratch post for your new pet.  

Let Your Pet Slowly Explore

• The best way to introduce your new kitten to your home is to let him explore one room at a time. If you are bringing him home in a container, leave the door open as a safe place to run back to if he gets scared. Be sure to allow your kitten as much time as he needs to adjust to his new home. Show the kitten where his litter box is located, and place him in it several times to show that you want him there.

Handle Pet Introductions Delicately

• When your kitten is ready, introduce him to any other cats or dogs you may have. Soothe your senior resident with extra affection and let her investigate the new addition. However, be sure to keep a watchful eye on how they interact. Keep in mind that the introduction process could take some time.

Your kitten will need to see a veterinarian to receive treatments against disease and for spaying or neutering once he reaches six to eight months of age. Contact Hudson Veterinary Hospital in Ossining, NY at (914) 502-2523 to make an appointment for your new kitten, or any of your pets, today. 

Cleaning Your Dog's Ears

Dog grooming requires more than the occasional bath. In fact, it’s crucial to clean your dog’s ears regularly to prevent painful infections and odor, especially if your dog has floppy ears.

By watching this video, you’ll learn the dos and don’ts of proper ear cleaning for your pet. If you have a long-haired dog, you’ll also pick up two quick tips on how to prevent infection.

For more information on how to properly groom your pet or to set up an appointment with a veterinarian, call Hudson Veterinary Hospital at (914) 502-2523. We also offer affordable spaying and neutering services.

When Is the Right Time to Socialize Your Dog?

Adopting a new puppy is an exciting experience. After you take your new pet to your local animal hospital for a checkup, it’s time to start introducing him to his new environment. This is important because a pet that never learns to be comfortable in his environment is more likely to be fearful and aggressive. Proper socialization at the correct period in a puppy’s development can positively influence his interactions with others for the rest of his life.  

There is a very small window in a dog’s life during which socialization is crucial. Puppies aged three to 12 weeks are more receptive to new experiences than they ever will be after. Once a puppy hits 18 weeks, his survival instincts kick in, making him fearful or suspicious of anything unfamiliar. Their future happiness depends upon this three-month period, so be sure to make it a daily priority to properly socialize your puppy.

While there are precautions you must take, socializing your puppy simply means exposing him to as many different environments, people, animals, surfaces, and noises as you can. Although puppies during this time are predominantly curious and fearless, some may cower away from over-exposure. It’s your responsibility to keep a close eye on your pet’s reactions as you introduce new things and to respond accordingly if a situation presents a problem.

Though your puppy may not have received all of his vaccinations, it is crucial to begin socializing him during when he is three weeks old. By the time your puppy receives the full course of vaccines from his veterinarian, he’ll have grown past the point of being receptive to socialization. It is very important to refrain from taking your puppy to a dog park until he has completed his vaccinations. Instead, find puppy classes in which to socialize your pet with other animals.

Contact Hudson Veterinary Hospital in Ossining, New York to schedule your puppy’s vaccinations so he can begin socializing anywhere! Our animal hospital also offers low-cost spaying and neutering services. Call us today at (914) 502-2523 to learn more. 

Take A Look At These Links To Learn How You Can Maintain A Healthy, Happy Pet

Keeping your pet in optimal health begins with your knowledge of his unique needs.  Learn more about dietary recommendations and the other topics discussed in our recent blogs by reading through the articles below. For more information, contact one of our veterinarians in Ossining, NY at Hudson Veterinary Hospital by calling (914) 502-2523.

• Dogs can be adversely affected by many decorative and outdoor plants.  Find a list of some of the most common harmful plants on the Cornell University website.

• You can also find a list of harmful plants and their effects on the ASPCA website.

• Cats are obligate carnivores and require animal protein as their main food source.  Check out this overview for more details on feline nutrition.

• Are you looking for ways to keep your dog’s diet healthy and varied?  Read this article from WebMD.com for helpful tips.

• If you have an overweight pet, read through this article to learn about how you can help facilitate healthy weight loss.

5 Common Plants That Can Be Harmful to Your Dog

As most dog owners know, canine companions can be extremely curious.  Although this inquisitive nature is quite endearing, it can unfortunately lead to the ingestion of a variety of harmful objects, including dangerous household plants.  These plants, when eaten, can result in weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, abnormal urine, difficulty breathing, and even death.  If your dog does ingest one of these harmful pets, visit your animal hospital right away for emergency care. Some of the most common harmful plants for dogs include:

Carnations

• Although these flowers do not generally pose a deadly threat to dogs, their ingestion can lead to mild gastrointestinal stress or a mild inflammation of the skin.

Calla Lilies

• Calla lilies contain insoluble oxalates that result in various gastrointestinal symptoms, such as drooling, vomiting, intense irritation of the mouth and throat, and difficulty swallowing.

Apples

• The stems, leaves, and seeds of the apple tree contain toxic amounts of cyanide, especially during wilting.

Begonias

• A begonia is a small flowering plant that exists in over 1,000 species. The tubers are the most toxic part of the plant and contain higher amounts of insoluble oxalates than the rest of the plant.

Oleander

• This plant is not only poisonous to canines, but can also adversely affect humans, cattle, horses, goats, and sheep.  All parts of this plant are toxic, including the stem, leaves, and flowers.

If your beloved pet is in need of medical care, consider visiting the veterinarians at Hudson Veterinary Hospital.  Our team strives to provide the highest quality of compassionate, advanced care to each of our patients.  If you would like to learn more about our comprehensive veterinary services in Ossining, NY, call us today at (914) 502-2523.