Puppy & Kitten Advice
Thank you for your interest in our
Puppy & Kitten Info Sheet.
We just love puppies and kittens here at Kelperland! It is one of the best parts about working in a vet practice when young animals get brought into us for the first time – lots of cuddles and fuss are very much the order of the day!
It can be a daunting time when you collect your new pet and there is so much information out there it can all be a bit over whelming. So hopefully the following will help.
The info provided on this page was last updated Dec 2025.
Puppy Care Guide
Congratulations on your new puppy! Here's what you need to know in their first year.
Vaccinations
Puppies require vaccinations at 8 weeks and 12 weeks old to protect against parvovirus, distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, and parainfluenza. After this, yearly boosters are required throughout their life.
Dogs entering kennels also need a kennel cough vaccination, usually at least 48 hours before boarding.
Microchipping
Microchipping is a legal requirement for all dogs from 8 weeks old. A tiny chip is implanted under the skin between the shoulder blades — it's a very quick procedure and no anaesthetic is required.
Make sure to register your details on a database and keep them up to date if you move.
Worming
Puppies need worming at 8, 10, and 12 weeks, then at 4, 5, and 6 months. After this, worming every 1–3 months is recommended depending on lifestyle.
Our Pet Club plans include twice-yearly worming as standard.
Flea & Tick Treatment
Monthly flea, tick, and lungworm treatment is recommended during the first year. For an environmentally friendlier option, our GREEN Pet Club provides treatment every other month — still effective for most pets.
Neutering
We recommend neutering to prevent unwanted litters and reduce certain health risks:
- Male (castration): From 6 months (small breeds) or 12 months (larger breeds)
- Female (spaying): From 6 months old, or 2 months after their first season
Weight management afterwards is the main thing to be mindful of.
Feeding
Puppies typically eat 3–4 meals daily initially, reducing to 1–2 meals by around 6 months as they grow. Dry food is best for their teeth.
Daily tooth brushing using dog toothpaste is recommended from an early age to establish good habits.
Toilet Training
Consistency and positive reinforcement are the keys to toilet training. Take your puppy outside frequently — after meals, naps, and play — and reward them when they go in the right place.
Never punish accidents indoors. Puppies may not understand why they're being told off, and it can slow progress.
Insurance
We strongly recommend taking out pet insurance as early as possible. We recommend ensuring your policy limit per condition is a minimum of £6,000, ideally £10,000 or more.
Choose a lifelong policy (not annual) to ensure chronic conditions remain covered year after year. Specialist treatment costs can easily reach £5,000–£10,000.
Kitten Care Guide
Welcome to kitten ownership! Here's what you need to know in your kitten's first year.
Vaccinations
Kittens require vaccinations at 9 weeks and 12 weeks old, protecting against feline leukaemia virus, cat flu, and feline infectious enteritis. Annual boosters are then required throughout life.
Microchipping
Microchipping is a legal requirement for all kittens by 20 weeks of age. We recommend doing it at or before the first vaccination appointment. Register your details on a database and keep them updated.
Worming
Kittens need worming at 8, 10, and 12 weeks, then at 4, 5, and 6 months. After 6 months, worming every 1–3 months is recommended depending on whether your cat goes outdoors.
Flea Treatment
Monthly flea treatment is recommended for outdoor cats. Indoor cats may be treated every other month. Our Green Pet Club and Standard Pet Club plans include flea treatment as standard.
Neutering
Cats can be neutered from 6 months old. The procedure is performed under general anaesthetic and your cat will be able to go home the same day.
Benefits include a calmer temperament, prevention of unwanted litters, and reduced risk of certain diseases.
Going Outdoors
We recommend waiting until your kitten is neutered and microchipped before allowing outdoor access. When you do let them out, introduce outdoor time gradually before their feeding time to reinforce that home is where food — and safety — is.
Nutrition
A good quality complete dry food gives your cat everything they need nutritionally and is superior for dental health compared to wet food. Fresh water should always be available — some cats prefer a water fountain to encourage drinking.
Insurance
As with dogs, we strongly recommend comprehensive pet insurance. Aim for a minimum of £6,000 per condition, ideally £10,000, with a lifelong policy to protect against chronic conditions.
Specialist treatment costs can reach £5,000–£10,000 — insurance gives you peace of mind that cost won't be a barrier to the best care.