NEW PUPPY OR KITTEN

      Getting a new kitten or puppy for children is often a good experience for this reason. Generally, children under three to five years may be too young for animals unless parental supervision is close because the children must be old enough to understand how to treat animals.

Many young children are very rough and injure animals inadvertently. If you wish to teach your child responsibility in having him care for a companion animal, be realistic about his ability according to his age.

Help him as much as needed; don’t allow the animal to suffer because the child is not responsible. It is highly recommended that the child be about eight to ten years old, maybe older, before you place much responsibility in his hands.

If you are contemplating getting a large dog or companion, you must take for consideration these important steps:

• Do you really have the time and space to give him a good home?
• Do you have the room he needs to run and play?
• Will you have plenty of time to take him for long walks? 

If you live in an apartment or in a house where you cannot explore the yard and find entertainment, In any animal care situation, it is important that people are home enough to provide company. This is especially true if you live in an apartment or in a house where you cannot let the animal out. Most of the health problems occur because animals are simply bored, even greatly stressed, because they live indoors and alone for most of their lives.

It saddens me to think of the thousands of lonely animals locked in spaces by themselves. This is really unfair. These are conscious beings who need love and caring in much the same manner as we do. If you cannot provide a healthy mental environment, your animal will become ill. This is almost without exception. I have visited friends in apartment buildings and heard the lonesome cry of a kitten late in the evening, triggered by my walking by the door of her apartment. The guardians were not home much.

I am constantly amazed at the stories I hear from my clients. These beings are truly very capable of many emotions and behaviors that enrich our lives immensely. We really should not take in a companion if we cannot provide a good home. By contrast, the more you can interact with your companion dog or cat, the more rewarding your relationship will become.       
        
       If the newcomer is going to be sleeping alone, a radio or ticking clock may help alleviate feelings of loneliness. Of course, lots of love and reassurance is also very important. The first few days and weeks are critical in his adjustment to a new family, and a good start goes a long way toward a healthy relationship and a healthy life.

When you bring the puppy or kitten home, the change of household and the separation from his mother may engender great stress at first. The Bach flower essences Rescue Remedy and Walnut can be helpful. The former is good for any stressful situation, while the latter is helpful during times of transition.

When it comes to companion’s food, the best food is a home prepared diet, it must be balanced. If you simply cannot prepare foods, then use the best holistic pet food you can get, and supplement with lots of “table foods.” Any heat or processing destroys many enzymes and other nutrients, and it also destroys the life force of the food. Frozen pet foods are now available in some areas, and these are often a good alternative for those who can’t home prepare food. These will give a lot of the ingredients that are missing from canned or dry foods. The two most important factors in maintaining good health are good food and avoidance of stress.

Stress can be both mental and physical.  Physical stress comes from pollution and chemical poisoning, drugs, food additives (coloring, preservatives, etc.), and vaccination. Additionally, yearly vaccination is completely unnecessary, as it provides no additional protection.

While puppy and kitten vaccination may be helpful in animals who are exposed to diseases, most animals are not at risk for most diseases for which they are vaccinated, and the risk from vaccination is thus greater than the risk of the disease. It can only cause harm.

Rabies vaccination is required every one to three years according to state low, but this is a legal rather than a medical requirement. If you have the time and energy, please help change these requirements in your region.