Bringing home a furry new addition is an exciting time for the whole family, but young pets can be exceptionally demanding despite their small size. Dogs, cats and rabbits are the 3 most popular pets in the UK and each of them have their own unique needs. From diet and exercise to toys and treats, here are our top tips for caring for puppies, kittens and young rabbits:
Food Glorious Food
Puppies, kittens and baby rabbits grow at a rapid rate. Because of this, it’s important they consume key nutrients from their food to help them thrive. Whereas older dogs and cats will only need feeding twice a day (once in the morning and again in the evening), puppies and kittens will need feeding 3 – 4 times a day until they reach 6 months old.
Our customers often ask us, ‘’What puppy food is best?’’ And #RookesRecommends Seven Puppy food; It’s rich in amino acids, vitamins and minerals, not to mention Omega 3 to help maintain cognitive function and visual health.
For kittens, #RookesRecommends Burgess Complete kibble, Natures Menu, Royal Canin Kitten range (dry or wet pouches), or Purina One Kitten. All are packed with key nutrients to maintain digestion, muscle mass and visual functions – and they’re delicious!
Baby rabbits, however, feed solely on milk for the first 3 weeks of their lives. From 3 – 7 weeks they should have access to alfalfa hay and food pellets. When it comes to finding the right pellet food, #RookesRecommends Selective Junior Rabbit Food. It contains extra protein, amino acids, vitamins and herbs. These nutrients combined are a great natural source of antioxidants and help give young rabbits a strong start in life. Oh, and let’s not forget vegetables… their favourite! You can begin to introduce a wide range of vegetables to your pet rabbit’s diet from around 3 months old.
Alongside their food bowl should be a water bowl or bottle/dispenser (for rabbits) they can access at all times. Water is essential for our pet’s health as it helps to maintain their wellbeing, replacing the fluids they lose through waste, breath and perspiration. Water also aids the digestion process within our small pets and helps them to absorb the key nutrients obtained within their food. Not only that, but water keeps your pet’s mucous membranes in check so your puppy, kitten or rabbit can see, smell and taste properly.
Tasty Treats
Young pets are curious, playful and inquisitive. Whilst their adventurous nature is to be adored, it is down to you as a responsible pet owner to train your pet, ensuring your dog’s recall is nothing short of perfection, your cats learn to use their litter tray, and your rabbit’s agility is on point.
Training builds confidence, provides mental stimulation, improves social skills and strengthens the human-animal bond. Puppies, kittens and young rabbits are intelligent and love to learn through play – and get rewarded with treats.
And speaking of treats, #RookesRecommends Fish4Dogs Training Puppy Bites, Harringtons Fresh Bakes and Pointer Puppy Love Biscuits! Training is an essential part of owning a pet and can be introduced from around 2 months old. Always keep training sessions brief, just 5 – 10 minutes, and try to end on a positive note.
Playtime
Toys provide our young pets with mental and physical stimulation, helping them to stay fit, healthy and happy. Getting sufficient physical stimulation and mental enrichment helps to enforce your pets’ good habits, and means they’ll be less prone to behavioural issues.
#RookesRecommends the KONG Kitten toy for young felines. It has a captivating crinkle sound and it’s super soft and cuddly!
Rosewood Rubber Puppy Dental Bones and KONG Classic Chew Toys are loved by dogs, especially puppies! A Classic KONG can be stuffed with treats and there’s no telling where it’ll bounce next, keeping pup engaged and on their paws!
We have a selection of toys for rabbits in store too. When it comes to good bunny care, it’s a good idea to create as many opportunities as possible for your rabbit to run, hop and dig (unwanted cardboard boxes and newspaper make fun toys!).
No Knots!
Grooming your pet is important throughout their life, not just when they’re young. In fact, the earlier you introduce your pet puppy, kitten or rabbit to a grooming routine, the better!
Grooming your pets while they are still young will get them used to being handled and cleaned. It will also help to create a strong bond between the two of you. Grooming our animals also helps them maintain healthy skin and a shiny coat. Brushing their fur also improves their circulation and simultaneously reduces their blood pressure and stress levels, helping them relax and feel at ease.
Additionally, by taking time out of your day to groom your small pet, you will have the opportunity to check for any unusual lumps, bumps, parasites or scratches. This will help you to stay ahead of fleas and other nasties.
When it comes to grooming your puppy, #RookesRecommends starting with a pinhead brush or comb to untangle matted hair, taking particular care around their bottom, tail and legs. Brush and comb the coat forward, then backwards as this will bring out the natural shine in silky coats. Short-haired puppies should be groomed once a week. Long-haired breeds will need grooming daily to keep their long fur flowing and loose. It’s also a good idea to give your canine companion a bath every 6 weeks.
For kittens, #RookesRecommends starting with their back, brushing them gently, before moving to the sides of their body. As you brush, praise your kitten in a soft voice and don’t forget to keep stroking them (this will help your kitten feel at ease if they’re a little nervous). A short haired kitten will usually need a quick brush or comb once a week. Long-haired kittens are likely to need grooming daily.
To groom your rabbit, #RookesRecommends placing your rabbit on a towel and checking them from head to toe – look for anything out of the ordinary, particularly a dirty bottom! Once you have checked them over, get your grooming brush and stroke gently in the direction of the hair growth. Your rabbit’s skin is delicate, so take care. The frequency of grooming a rabbit depends on their coat; Short haired rabbits should be brushed at least twice a week while those with long hair need brushing daily. You may need to brush your rabbit more frequently if they are shedding.
Safety First!
There’s a big debate between collars or harnesses for dogs. While a flat collar is great for everyday wear and displaying ID tags, harnesses are the safest option when it comes to walks; especially if your dog pulls. For puppies new to the lead and the excitement of outdoor adventures, #RookesRecommends a Doodlebone Snappy Harness (available in an extensive range of colours).
For kittens, #RookesRecommends the Cat Circus Boucle Collars. Although your kitten may not like it very much at first, the collar is strategically designed to pop off should they get tangled on their adventures.
Believe it or not, but you can take your pet rabbit for walks. Collars and leads for rabbits are available. Just like with a puppy or kitten, you need to ensure their collar is the right size so they can breathe comfortably. But don’t leave enough space for them to slip the collar off. Rabbits have brittle and delicate bones so if you do take your rabbit for a walk then you must be very gentle handling the lead.
Why not pop into Rooke’s Pet Products for everything you need in preparation for bringing home a new puppy, kitten or rabbit? We have over 7000 pet products in our High Street store and our experienced team are on hand to help. See you soon!