Would you like to switch to the accessible version of this site?

Go to accessible site Close modal window

Don't need the accessible version of this site?

Hide the accessibility button Close modal window
Accessibility View Close toolbar
Breckenridge Animal Hospital

3451 Breckenridge Lane

Louisville, KY 40220 USA

502-491-5800

Open mobile navigation
  • Home
  • New Patient Center
    • New Pet Intake Form
    • Online Forms
    • What to Expect
    • Veterinary Resources
    • Payment Options
  • About Us
    • Meet Our Veterinarians
      • Dr. Keith Gaines
    • Meet Our Team
  • Services
    • Diagnostic Services
    • Surgery
    • Dental Care
    • Behavior Consultation
    • Emergency & Specialty Referrals
    • Nutritional Counseling
  • Wellness Packages
    • Wellness Package FAQ's
    • Adult Wellness Packages
    • Puppy/Kitten Wellness Packages
  • My Pet's Medical Records - Petly Pages
  • Referral Rewards Program!
  • Useful Links for Pet Owners
  • Contact Us
  • Blog
  • Community Content
    • Pet Health
      • Chronic Conditions
      • Digestive and Oral Health
      • Diseases and Viruses
      • Pests and Parasites
      • Orthopedics
    • Today's Veterinarian
    • Choosing Your Pet
      • Finding Your Pet
      • Cats
      • Dogs
      • Exotics
        • Amphibians
        • Birds
        • Reptiles
          • Lizards
          • Turtles
      • Small Mammals
        • Ferrets
        • Rabbits
        • Domesticated Animals
          • Prairie Dogs
        • Pocket Pets
          • Chinchillas
          • Guinea Pigs
          • Hamsters
          • Hedgehogs
          • Rats
      • Livestock
        • Cows
        • Donkeys, Horses & Mules
        • Goats
        • Pigs
        • Poultry
        • Sheep
    • Living With Your Pet
      • Bringing Your Pet Home
      • Children and Pets
      • Providing Care
      • Travel
      • Saying Goodbye
    • Newsletter Library
      • Tips for Pet Owners
      • Seasonal Topics
      • Nutrition & Food
      • Recognizing Illness
      • Visiting the Vet
      • Equine
      • Cats
      • Keeping Pets Healthy
      • Fleas & Parasites
      • Pet Dangers
      • Behavior & Training
      • Newsletter Archive
        • Fun with Pets
        • Unbelievable Pets
    • Video Newsroom
      • Health Topics
      • Technology and Science
      • Other Interests
    • Client Survey
    • Pets4Kids
  • Home >
  • Articles >
  • Newsletter Library >
  • Seasonal Topics >
  • Bringing a New Pet in the Home in the New Year

Bringing a New Pet in the Home in the New Year

  • Created in Newsletter Library, Seasonal Topics

Couple with new dog

Will a Pet Be Joining Your Family in 2021?

Are you bringing home a new dog, cat, or other pet soon? Choosing the ideal time to introduce your pet to your family and reviewing care basics will make your pet's first weeks in your new home more enjoyable.

Select the Perfect Time

The holiday season can be a hectic time in your home so Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa, or New Year's Eve might not be the best time to introduce a new pet. The noise and excitement of holiday celebrations may stress your pet, making the adjustment process more difficult. But now that the hustle and bustle of the holidays have come to an end, it can be a good time to finally bring your new addition to the family home. You can make your pet feel at home by:

  • Choosing a Calm Day for the Homecoming. Pick a quiet day when only your immediate family members will be home.
  • Finding a Special Place for Your Pet During Gatherings. Set up your pet's food and water bowls and other necessities in a quiet room if you'll be entertaining visitors soon after you bring your pet home. Introducing your pet to visitors when it hasn't even become accustomed to your family members can cause anxiety.
  • Giving a Gift Certificate Rather Than a Live Pet. If you're planning to give a family member an animal as a gift in the new year, consider wrapping a gift certificate to an animal shelter or reputable breeding facility instead. With a gift certificate, the person can choose the animal themselves and bring the pet home after the holidays when things are calmer.

Buy Everything Your Pet Needs In Advance

Creating a pet needs checklist will help you avoid last-minute trips to the store for food, litter, and other necessities. Add these items to your checklist:

  • Food. Read food labels and instructions carefully to ensure that you're choosing the best type of food for your pet's stage of life. Foods intended for kittens and puppies have the extra calories that growing animals need, while senior foods contain fewer calories and help older animals control their weight.
  • Cages and Aquariums. Make sure cages or aquariums provide plenty of room to move, explore, or swim.
  • Crates. A crate serves as your dog's private den, provides a quiet place to rest, and can help you house train your new pet.
  • Dishes and Feeders. Stay away from cheap plastic bowls that can trap bacteria. Instead, choose stainless steel or glass dishes. Select chew-proof water bottles that hang easily on the side of the cage if you'll be bringing a small animal home.
  • Litter Box and Litter. The litter box you choose should be big enough to allow your cat to turn around easily. Scoopable litter makes it simple to remove liquid and solid waste from the box and cuts down on cleaning, although you should still clean the litter box at least once a week.
  • Collar, Harness, and Leash. If your pet will be going outside, you'll need to buy a collar and harness or leash. Harnesses are the best options for smaller dogs and cats.
  • Miscellaneous Supplies. You'll also want to buy a selection of brushes, combs, toys, beds, treats, identification tags, and other pet supplies.

Schedule a Visit with the Veterinarian

Make an appointment with a veterinarian sometime in the first few weeks after you bring your pet home. During the visit your pet's veterinarian will:

  • Perform a thorough examination and diagnose any illnesses or chronic health conditions
  • Provide immunizations that will help your pet stay healthy
  • Recommend a flea and tick prevention program if needed
  • Check your pet's weight and recommend specific foods if your new friend is overweight or has a health problem

During the visit, you can also have your pet microchipped and make an appointment for spaying and neutering. Microchips are rice-sized chips that contain a number linked to your contact information. If your pet is ever lost, an animal shelter or veterinary office can scan the chip and quickly identify your furry friend.

Spaying and neutering are types of surgeries that prevent males and females from reproducing. The surgeries help reduce the number of unwanted animals, protect your pets from certain types of cancer, prevent spraying in male cats, and may decrease aggressive behavior or roaming in male animals. On average, spayed and neutered dogs live one to three years longer, while cats live three to five years longer, according to Humane Society International.

Will a new pet be joining your home in the new year? Call our office to schedule your new arrival's appointment.

Sources:

Humane Society International: Why Spay/Neuter is Important

https://www.hsi.org/news-media/why_spayneuter_important/

Dog Time: Bringing Home Your New Dog, 5/14/20

The Mercury News: Getting a Pet at the Holidays, 12/9/16

  • Pet Health
    • Chronic Conditions
    • Digestive and Oral Health
    • Diseases and Viruses
    • Pests and Parasites
    • Orthopedics
  • Today's Veterinarian
  • Choosing Your Pet
    • Finding Your Pet
    • Cats
    • Dogs
    • Exotics
      • Amphibians
      • Birds
      • Reptiles
        • Lizards
        • Turtles
    • Small Mammals
      • Ferrets
      • Rabbits
      • Domesticated Animals
        • Prairie Dogs
      • Pocket Pets
        • Chinchillas
        • Guinea Pigs
        • Hamsters
        • Hedgehogs
        • Rats
    • Livestock
      • Cows
      • Donkeys, Horses & Mules
      • Goats
      • Pigs
      • Poultry
      • Sheep
  • Living With Your Pet
    • Bringing Your Pet Home
    • Children and Pets
    • Providing Care
    • Travel
    • Saying Goodbye
  • Newsletter Library
    • Tips for Pet Owners
    • Seasonal Topics
    • Nutrition & Food
    • Recognizing Illness
    • Visiting the Vet
    • Equine
    • Cats
    • Keeping Pets Healthy
    • Fleas & Parasites
    • Pet Dangers
    • Behavior & Training
    • Newsletter Archive
      • Fun with Pets
      • Unbelievable Pets
  • Video Newsroom
    • Health Topics
    • Technology and Science
    • Other Interests
  • Client Survey
  • Pets4Kids

A Healthy Pet is a Happy Pet!

Preventive Care Plans Are Here

Featured Links

Click to find out more

  • Shop Online Now

    Click Here
  • Make An Appointment

    Click Here
  • Online Forms

    Click Here

Office Hours

Our Regular Schedule

Monday:

8:00 am-6:00 pm

Tuesday:

8:00 am-6:00 pm

Wednesday:

8:00 am-1:00 pm

Thursday:

8:00 am-6:00 pm

Friday:

8:00 am-6:00 pm

Saturday:

8:00 am-12:00 pm

Sunday:

Closed

Location

Find us on the map

Testimonials

Read What Our Clients Say

  • ""The entire office staff and doctor are the greatest. I am very confident with taking my animal to them. Have been going to this office for over 20 yrs. Very pleased.""
    Joyce & Genef, Louisville

Featured Articles

Read about interesting topics

  • How to Tell When Your Cat Is Sick

    Not sure if your cat is sick? Take a look at these signs. ...

    Read More
  • Vet Care Doesn't Have to Break the Bank; Pet Insurance

    Wondering if pet insurance is a good idea? ...

    Read More
  • Human vs Pet Medications: Why You Should Never Share Medicine with Your Pets

    Could your medications harm your pets? ...

    Read More
  • Ways to Take the Stress Out of Your Pet's Next Veterinary Visit

    Does your pet dread veterinary visits? ...

    Read More
  • Signs on Heatstroke: Keep Your Pets Safe This Summer

    Do you know how to protect your pet from heatstroke? ...

    Read More
  • Why Heartworm Protection Is Necessary for All Pets

    Is your pet protected against heartworm? ...

    Read More
  • Cat-Safe House Plants

    Not sure which house plants are safe for your cat? Take a look at our list. ...

    Read More
  • Feline Skin Allergy Symptoms and Care

    Has scratching become your cat's favorite activity? A skin allergy may be to blame. ...

    Read More
  • The Next Step

    The grieving process includes accepting the reality of your loss, accepting that the loss and accompanying feelings are painful, and adjusting to your new life that no longer includes your pet. How do I tell my family? Family members usually are already aware of a pet's problems. However, you should ...

    Read More
  • Battling Canine Cancer

    Every day, Cindy Fleischner lines up her crew of cuddly canines for breakfast. As the four other dogs eat, Cindy pulls Katy, her 12 year old Shepherd mix aside for a peanut butter treat. Katy is battling lymphoma and this treat hides her daily dose of chemotherapy drugs. Katy is not alone in this war. ...

    Read More

Newsletter Signup

Sign up for more articles

Connect With Us

  • Copyright © 2022 MH Sub I, LLC dba iMatrix.
  • Admin Log In
  • Site Map