DAFB vet offers advice for new pet owners

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Shen-Chia Chu
  • 436th AW Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Newly acquired pets can be a special addition to a family, but it is important for first-time pet-owners to know the pet care basics.

Base residents can bring their beloved animals for a check-up visit at the Dover Air Force Base Veterinary Clinic as a healthy start to the New Year.

"Pet owners play an important role in their pet's life and the first six months of life are vital to the development of puppies and kittens," said Army Capt. Amy Thalacker, Officer in-charge of the DAFB Veterinary Clinic. "Pets require a lot of time, care and energy, so pet owners need to help their baby animals develop the proper social skills during this busy period of high-rate learning and growing during their early months."

Here's some of the important information provided by the DAFB Veterinary Clinic pet owners need to remember:

Adjusting to new surroundings:
-introduce pet to the household, including other pets, and let them socialize
-allow the pet lots of time to rest and familiarize themselves with their surroundings in a quiet setting

House Breaking Tips:
-provide a bed and crate or kennel, this helps to establish the pet's own private area
-for a puppy, kennel training is recommended
-don't let pets become possessive with their food or toys, train them by taking away their toys, food, etc.

Feeding:
-always provide fresh water
-provide chew toys or else your furniture will become the chew toy
-buy the appropriate chew toys, beware of toys that can turn into a choking hazard or swallowed easily

Health Tips:
-take pet(s) to get vaccine shots, de-worming and check-ups
-get flea and tick preventative medications
-use grooming products and brushes for hair
-use nail trimmers or get them clipped by veterinarian professionals
-make sure pets exercise regularly