March Newsletter: First Time Pet Owner? Here's What You Need to Know

Pet ensemble

First-Time Pet Owner? Here's What You Need to Know

Are you ready to embrace the joys of living with a pet? Whether you'll be bringing home a furry or feathered pet, you'll need to keep these things in mind.

Just the Basics: Stock Up on These Items

A trip to the pet store should be the first item on your to-do list. Although you don't have to buy everything at once, you should make sure you have these basic items on hand before you bring your pet home:

  • Cage. If you're adopting a bird or small animal, choose a sturdy, secure cage that offers plenty of room for your pet to explore or spread its wings.
  • Pet Carrier. Carriers make it easier to transport your new pet safely and securely. The American Kennel Club advises that carriers should be big enough to allow your pet to turn around easily. Add a soft pad or blanket to make the carrier more comfortable.
  • Crate. If you'll be bringing home a dog or puppy, a crate is a must-have addition to your home. Crates serve as cozy dens for your pet and provide a safe place to spend a little quiet time. Just like carriers, crates should be big enough for complete turns. Tempted to buy a crate your puppy can grow into? Be sure to place a divider in the middle of the crate to make it puppy sized. If the crate is too big, your puppy may decide that one end makes the perfect bathroom.
  • Food. Look for food specially formulated for your pet's age. Feeding an adult pet puppy or kitten food may mean your furry friend will pack on the pounds, while adult food may not provide the recommended amount of nutrients for young pets. When you take your pet for the first visit to the veterinarian, ask him or her for a few food suggestions.
  • Dishes. Although any container that can hold food or water will work, some types of dishes are better than others. Unlike plastic, stainless steel and ceramic dishes won't scratch or retain bacteria or food odors and can be easily cleaned.
  • Other Essentials. Depending on the type of pet, you may want to add a collar, harness, leads, toys, litter, litterbox, toothbrush and bed to your shopping list. You'll also need an identification tag to attach to your pet's collar. Better yet, ask your veterinarian to microchip your new friend. Rice-sized microchips placed under your pet's skin contain a code linked to your contact information. Should your pet become lost, a veterinarian or humane society can scan the code and retrieve your information. (Pets should also wear an ID tag even if they are microchipped.)

It Will Take Your Pet a While to Adjust to Its New Home

Remember your first day at school or a new job? You probably didn't know anyone, couldn't find the bathroom on your own, and didn't know where the cafeteria was. Your pet feels just as disoriented as you did. In fact, it will probably take a few weeks for your pet to adjust to its new surroundings. Until that happens, patience is essential.

Don't overwhelm your pet by introducing it to too many people or animals at once. Kids, even ones who are excited about the new pet, must be supervised closely. Excited children may be unintentionally rough if you're not there to show them how to gently handle your new pet.

Your new pet may spend a few days hiding or have a few accidents until it gets used to its new home and routine. If the animal is still having trouble adjusting after a month, give your veterinarian a call. He or she can offer recommendations that will make the adjustment process a little easier.

The Benefits of Spaying and Neutering Your Pet

Spaying and neutering are surgeries that prevent pets from having babies. The surgeries ensure that your pet doesn't contribute to the animal overpopulation problem, may reduce your pet's risk of some types of cancer, and decreases aggression and urine spraying. Spaying, the surgery for females, removes the pet's uterus, cervix and ovaries. Neutering, the procedure for males, removes the testicles. Contrary to popular belief, you don't have to wait for a female animal's first heat before spaying the pet. In fact, the sooner the better.

Your pet may also need vaccinations and preventive medication for heartworm, fleas, ticks, or other parasites. Do you need to schedule a visit for your new addition? Give us a call to make your pet's appointment.

Sources:

American Kennel Club: How to Choose the Best Carrier for Your Canine Friend, 8/2/2021

https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/how-to-choose-the-best-dog-carrier-for-your-canine-friend

The Animal Foundation: The Basic Necessities of Proper Pet Care, 1/23/18

https://animalfoundation.com/whats-going-on/blog/basic-necessities-proper-pet-care

PetMD: The Responsible Owner’s Checklist for Taking Care of a Pet, 3/19/2019

https://www.petmd.com/dog/care/responsible-pet-owners-checklist-taking-care-pet

Location

Find us on the map

Office Hours

Our Regular Schedule

Monday:

7:30 am-5:30 pm

Tuesday:

7:30 am-5:30 pm

Wednesday:

7:30 am-5:30 pm

Thursday:

7:30 am-5:30 pm

Friday:

7:30 am-5:30 pm

Saturday:

Open 1st & 3rd Saturdays of each month. Closed 2nd & 4th Saturdays of each month.

8:00 am-2:00 pm

Sunday:

Closed

Testimonials

Read What Our Clients Say

  • "We have a new 8 week Boston Terrier that we took to Springfield Vet yesterday for the first time. Absolutely pleased with the service, attitudes and genuine care shown to our little boy. The whole team was so professional, but took time to talk to you and explain everything. Dr Cynthia Wiseman is so wonderful, she sat in the floor did Logan's exam and played with him. What bedside manners. I will continue to use them, I highly recommend them to anyone looking for a caring and professional vet."
    Roi W.
  • "We absolutely love this vet clinic and the staff! The facilities are modern and always clean. Everyone is always so friendly and genuinely care for you and your animal- they make you feel as if you are apart of their family.

    Our boy, Samson, is a Rottie (and quite the problem child). We are usually in the clinic almost every other month for something and they are always so helpful and show great care and love for our pup! We are very picky/protective puppy parents, so we were very grateful to have found both Dr. Cynthia and Dr. Heath shortly after getting Samson.

    We have definitely found our "home" in the vet world, and would highly recommend to anyone who is currently looking!"
    Machaelie H.
  • "I have taken my dog here since he was a puppy. The staff are so friendly and caring, a very clean place and they always get us in quickly. When we come in no one passes us without greeting my dog and I and they're never in a rush to get us out of there."
    ShealynR.
  • "We decided to start taking our new kitty here this past fall and we love it! He was not on his best behavior (to say the least) for his first appointment, and the staff was so patient and was still able to safely run his bloodwork and give him his vaccinations. Every service has been reasonably priced, and they did everything they possibly could to make sure that our little guy was off to a healthy start after we adopted him. What I love is that they really seem to focus on the small details, too, like trimming our cat's nails after remembering that I had expressed interest in doing so at a previous appointment, or supplementing his flea treatment with something to safely speed up the process. We will definitely keep coming here as long as we live in Springfield!"
    Megan J.
  • "I have been taking my dog to SVC since 2012 and when I adopted my cat in 2015. I have never had a bad experience. We have seen Drs. Heath & Cynthia Wiseman and I love them both. Always professional, always take their time when looking my pets over, asking questions, and answering mine."
    Katherine P.
  • "We’ve been taking our Moose there for a few years now. After swallowing a toy when he was a puppy, getting fixed, having surgery on his eyelids a couple times, and most recently having a breed specific illness; I can I say I would recommend everyone to go here. They’ve taken the best care of our boy time and time again and went above and beyond."
    Ashley J.
  • "We’ve been taking our Moose there for a few years now. After swallowing a toy when he was a puppy, getting fixed, having surgery on his eyelids a couple times, and most recently having a breed specific illness; I can I say I would recommend everyone to go here. They’ve taken the best care of our boy time and time again and went above and beyond."
    Ashley J.
  • "Pleasant staff.,very informative. Great environment for your pets, including own room for cats to play so as they aren't stressed out."
    Cheryl K.
  • "Dr. Cynthia Wiseman has helped my little Shiba dog with chronic hip problems tremendously with consistent acupuncture therapy! So thankful for this practice and the high quality of care they offer my pets!"
    Lacey M.