Member-only story

Small Animal Pediatrics: The First 12 Months of Life

Harold Powell

·19.5k Followers· Follow

Published in Michael E Peterson

4 min read

1.2k View Claps

81 Respond

Save

Listen

The first 12 months of a small animal's life are a time of rapid growth and development. During this time, puppies and kittens undergo a series of physical, behavioral, and cognitive changes. As a pet owner, it is important to be aware of these changes and to provide your pet with the care and support they need to thrive.

Physical Changes

In the first few weeks of life, puppies and kittens are born with their eyes closed and their ears folded. They are also unable to walk or urinate on their own. Over the next few weeks, they will begin to open their eyes, their ears will unfold, and they will start to walk and urinate on their own.

Small Animal Pediatrics: The First 12 Months of Life

by Michael E. Peterson

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	25015 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	1676 pages

By the time they are 8 weeks old, puppies and kittens will have reached their full adult size. However, they will continue to grow and develop at a slower pace for the next several months. During this time, they will begin to lose their baby teeth and grow in their adult teeth. They will also start to develop their adult coat.

Behavioral Changes

In the first few months of life, puppies and kittens are very playful and curious. They will spend their days exploring their surroundings and playing with their toys. As they get older, they will start to become more independent and may start to show signs of aggression towards other animals.

By the time they are 6 months old, puppies and kittens will have reached their full adult personality. They will be more independent and may start to show signs of territorial behavior. They will also start to form close bonds with their owners.

Cognitive Changes

In the first few months of life, puppies and kittens are very receptive to learning. They will quickly learn to recognize their owners' voices and faces, and they will start to learn basic commands. As they get older, they will start to learn more complex tasks, such as how to play fetch or how to use a litter box.

By the time they are 1 year old, puppies and kittens will have reached their full cognitive development. They will be able to learn complex tasks and will be able to understand their owners' commands.

Health Care

The first 12 months of a small animal's life are a time of rapid growth and development. During this time, it is important to provide your pet with the care and support they need to thrive. This includes:

* Regular veterinary checkups * Vaccinations * Deworming * Spaying or neutering * Dental care * Nutrition * Exercise

By following these tips, you can help your small animal live a long and healthy life.

The first 12 months of a small animal's life are a time of rapid growth and development. During this time, it is important to be aware of the changes your pet is going through and to provide them with the care and support they need to thrive. By following the tips in this article, you can help your small animal live a long and healthy life.

Additional Information

In addition to the information provided in this article, there are a number of other resources available to help you care for your small animal during the first 12 months of life. These resources include:

* Your veterinarian * The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) * The American Kennel Club (AKC) * The Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA)

Small Animal Pediatrics: The First 12 Months of Life

by Michael E. Peterson

4.7 out of 5