There’s something (everything!) about the big wide-eyed fluffy beauty of kittens and puppies that’s utterly irresistible. But the reality of getting your very own fur baby is a little different. “Make sure you know what you’re signing up for,” says Huw Stacey, director of clinical services at Vets4Pets.
Here, we bust the five big myths about owning a kitten or puppy …
Myth one: it’s like having a toy
Reality: it’s absolutely full-on
“Kittens are relatively straightforward: they need food, love and a litter tray and bedding,” says Stacey. “On the other hand, having a puppy is like having a real human baby.” We’re talking sleepless nights, crying, frequent feeds and constant attention.
The old advice was to shut your puppy in the kitchen at night and let them cry until they stop. But that’s incredibly stressful for the dog, says Stacey. “It’s best to have your puppy in a travel crate near you all the time, so your presence reassures them. Give them a blanket from the breeder that reminds the puppy of home and a warm hot-water bottle. Keep the crate right next to your bed for the first few nights, then gradually move it a couple of feet towards the bedroom door each night, then down the hall, until you slowly wean your puppy to sleeping where you want them to.” Expect the process to take around two weeks.
Myth two: house-training won’t take long
Reality: how does six months sound?
OK, so you’ll hopefully have your puppy happily bedding down in the kitchen in a fortnight, but house-training means you still have to wake up every few hours at night to take them out for a wee. “Expect to take your puppy out before you go to bed, twice during the night, then again early in the morning,” says Stacey. “It can take up to six months for your dog to hold it all in at night and be reliably house-trained.”
Kittens are a breeze comparatively. “Felines have good instincts and because of their ancestral desert roots, they know what to do with sand,” says Stacey. “Just point them to the litter tray a few times and they get the hang of it quickly.”
The basic rule is to give your pet every opportunity to wee and poo in the appropriate place. “If they have an accident, it’s your fault, not theirs,” says Stacey. “Don’t punish them.”
Myth three: you need a garden to have a pet
Reality: a garden is not essential
“Though having a secure garden definitely makes having a dog easier, as long as you’ve got access to communal open space your puppy will be OK if it’s a small breed,” says Stacey. Though most cats enjoy going out, if you live by a busy road it may be safer to keep yours inside. “Cats can do very well as indoor pets,” adds Stacey.
Myth four: my new pet will be friends with the beloved old cat and dog I’ve had for years
Reality: it’s not as simple as that …
Dogs tend to fare better than cats here. “They’re inherently social animals and are designed to get on with other dogs,” says Stacey. The best you can expect of your old moggy, meanwhile, is to tolerate the new arrival. “Randomly putting cats together is a gamble, and it’s best to assume that two cats won’t want to live together,” says Stacey. To reduce conflict, he advises to set up their beds and separate litter trays in different parts of your home, creating separate territories. Think of it as a feline apartment block.
Myth five: my pet will be happy to be on its own while I’m at work
Reality: you may need a petsitter
Leaving your pet to fend for itself all day while you’re out is a big deal. “Kittens will be better, as they can entertain themselves, but puppies can only manage two hours alone,” says Stacey. After a while, as they become more secure and better house-trained, you can leave them for three to four hours. But, says Stacey: “Even adult dogs need company in the day, so if you’re out at work, you need to think very carefully if a puppy is right for you.”
While kittens and puppies are a massive win in terms of cuddles, love and outrageous cuteness, it’s really important to know what you’re getting yourself into. Prepare for the bumps in the road, and you’ll be much better placed to enjoy all the amazing experiences that come with bringing a new kitten or puppy into your home.
Join the free Pets at Home VIP kitten or puppy club today to receive 10% off your pet’s first shop along with exclusive offers, advice and rewards until their first birthday
.jpg?w=600)
