New Pet Parent Starter Guide

Book a vet visit within the first week

Get a baseline health check — weight, temperature, parasite screen

1st vaccination (DHPPi+L) at 45 days

Do not wait — this is the most vulnerable period

Start deworming at 2 weeks of age

Repeat every 2 weeks until 12 weeks, then monthly until 6 months

Begin socialisation carefully

Avoid dog parks until full vaccination is complete

Puppy-proof the home

Remove toxic plants, secure cables, block stairwells

2nd vaccination (DHPPi+L booster) at 21 days after 1st dose

Begin basic training — sit, stay, name recognition

Short sessions of 5–10 minutes

Introduce grooming routine — gentle brushing, handling paws and ears

Check for signs of parvovirus: vomiting, bloody stool, lethargy — call vet immediately

3rd vaccination (DHPPi+L + Anti-Rabies) at 21 days after 2nd dose

First external parasite prevention (tick/flea treatment)

First nail trim — if not done already

Book spay/neuter consultation (recommended 5–6 months for small breeds, 12–18 months for large breeds)

4th vaccination (Kennel Cough + Anti-Rabies) at 21 days after 3rd dose

Puppy vaccination series is now complete

Transition to adult food schedule if advised by vet

First dental hygiene check — begin tooth brushing habit early

Monthly deworming continues until 6 months, then quarterly

Spay/neuter procedure (consult vet for timing by breed)

First full health checkup — blood tests, body condition score

Set annual vaccination reminder for 1 year after 4th dose

Book a vet visit within the first week

Health check, weight, parasite screen — even for indoor kittens

Start deworming at 2 weeks, repeat every 2 weeks until 12 weeks

1st vaccination (FVRCP) at 60 days

Set up a separate litter box — 1 per cat plus one extra

Location matters: quiet, away from food and sleeping area

Keep indoors until fully vaccinated

2nd vaccination (FVRCP booster + Anti-Rabies) at 21 days after 1st dose

Begin gentle handling of paws, ears, and mouth — builds tolerance for future vet visits

Monitor litter box habits daily

Changes in frequency or consistency are often the first sign of illness

3rd vaccination (FVRCP booster + Anti-Rabies) at 21 days after 2nd dose

Kitten vaccination series is now complete

Book spay/neuter consultation — typically recommended at 4–6 months

First flea/tick prevention treatment

Transition to adult feeding schedule (2 meals/day) if advised by vet

Monthly deworming until 6 months, then quarterly

Spay/neuter procedure

First full health checkup — blood tests, dental check, weight

Set annual vaccination reminder for 1 year after 3rd dose

Vet visit within the first week

Rabbits hide illness — a baseline check is essential and cannot be skipped

Set up enclosure with hay as the primary food (80% of diet)

Pellets and vegetables are supplements, not staples

Check for E. cuniculi (common rabbit parasite) — ask vet about prevention

No handling for the first 2–3 days — let them adjust to the environment

First deworming at 3 months, then every 3 months

Monitor droppings daily

Any 8-hour gap in droppings or reduction in pellet size is a vet call, not a wait-and-see

Introduce fresh vegetables gradually — one at a time

Sudden diet changes cause GI stasis, which can be fatal

Begin litter training — rabbits are naturally clean and can be trained easily

Book spay/neuter consultation

Uterine cancer affects 50–80% of unspayed female rabbits by age 5 — this is not optional for females

First dental check — rabbit molars grow continuously and can cause hidden pain

Begin nail trimming routine — every 4–6 weeks

Spay/neuter procedure (4–6 months for females, 3.5–4 months for males)

Full health checkup — blood tests, gut assessment, weight

Set 6-monthly dental check reminders — this is the single most missed rabbit health task

Set quarterly deworming reminder