Pets 'N' Vets - Glasgow Vet Centres

Advice on choosing a pet

Pets 'N' Vets offers a free introductory consultation for every new pet brought to the practice. Charges will be made for medication or vaccines, but the first check up and registration is very important and should take place within 2-3 days of acquiring your new pet.

Advice on choosing a new dog

Advice on choosing a new cat

Choosing a new dog

The first choice is what kind of dog. The choice is enormous from Bassett to Bulldog, from Griffon to Great Dane, from cross bred Collie to Labradoodle. Remember the following points :

Dogs from breeds developed for working and sporting activities e.g. collies and spaniels will require more exercise than toy breeds or even giant breeds.
Long haired dogs will require more grooming
Some breeds with curly or long haired coats will require clipping or grooming at your local dog parlour
Some short haired dogs cast their coats heavily.

Choosing an adult dog can be a rewarding experience. This means taking on a dog which has been somebody else’s pet. This could mean a dog whose previous owners could not keep it through illness or bereavement, or it could be a dog which caused problems which the previous owners could not deal with.

Obtain as much information as you can – previous history, vaccination and deworming records and arrange for the dog to be checked by a vet of your choice asap.

Choosing a puppy can be an exciting experience. Remember you and your puppy will be together for about 15 years – choose well. Once you have selected what type of dog you want look for advertisements in the press, check the internet, go to dog shows or contact us for info about different breeds.

When you go to see your puppy, spend time with the puppy’s mother to ensure her good temperament. If mother is not present this could mean that the pup is being sold on through dealers which can create extra problems. Go through the following check list.

* What diet has the puppy been weaned onto ? If it is a standard puppy food be sure to find out the commercial name of the food and whether it can be easily obtained by yourself. Later on you can change the puppy gradually onto a more convenient diet.

Has the puppy received any vaccinations? If so you need a vaccine certificate signed by a vet.
Has the puppy been dewormed? If so when and with what product.
Has the puppy’s mother or father received any pre-breeding health checks e.g. for hip dysplasia or eye conditions.
Has your puppy got a pedigree? If so make sure to obtain a copy of the pedigree with the KC Registrations ofboth mother and father.
If you want the puppy to be KC Registered ask the breeder to do it – it is easier for them
You should tell the breeder that the sale is not final until you have had a check by your vet.

Many people find that their cat chooses them rather that the other way around. If however you are allowed to choose the first decision is – pedigree or moggy.

If your decision is pedigree then next choice is what breed. If unsure, go to a big Cat Show or check the internet for the large variety of breeds on offer. One warning – long-haired cats (Persians) are extremely attractive but they require a lot of grooming. If you can’t find the breed you want contact us.

Pedigree cats are often sold at an age when they have received vaccinations and deworming – make sure that you have the details. Many pedigrees will come from breeders who have had their cats blood tested to ensure good health.

If your decision is moggy or you are not sure, contact us. There are a variety of charities looking for homes for cats – Cat Flap, Cats’ Protection League, Cat Action Trust etc. We work closely with Cat Flap. Adult cats carry less behavioural hang-ups than dogs, but go through the following check-list :

Is your new cat male or female ?
Has he or she been neutered ?
If a she, is she pregnant ?
Is there any health record e.g. vaccinations, deworming or defleaing ?

Bring the cat to us for a check-up with 2-3 days.

If a kitten is your choice, find out what food it has been weaned onto, and if it has been de-wormed, de-fleaed or vaccinated. If you already have a cat and you are bringing in a new cat from a stray background have the new cat blood-tested to ensure it is not a carrier of disease like FIV (cat aids). This kind of disease passes to other cats but not to humans.