Your Family Pet.Bringing a puppy home for the first time, rescuing an abandoned cat, or adopting an

older dog can be one of the best experiences of your life. Along with the excitement,

there may also be times when you’re not certain what to do. This little guide can help.

The advice you’ll find here comes from leading veterinarians who are members of the

American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), a premiere organization of veterinary

care providers in North America and beyond. We hope it gets you and your new pet

off to a healthy start and a lifetime of happy memories.

CARING FOR

Getting StartedOnce You’ve Found Your Perfect PetCreating a Healthy RelationshipServe a Healthy DietSupport Good HealthThe Importance of Veterinary Care

INSIDE Click to go to:

Page 1 of 5

This guide is a collaboration project between the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) and CareCredit, two entities dedicated to healthy lives for pets and their human parents.

®

This content is subject to change without notice and offered for informational use only. You are urged to consult with your individual business, financial, legal, tax and/or other advisers and/or medical providers with respect to any information presented. CareCredit, Synchrony Financial and any of its affiliates (collectively, “Synchrony”) make no representations or warranties regarding this content and accept no liability for any loss or harm arising from the use of the information provided. Your receipt of this material constitutes your acceptance of these terms and conditions.

Pet-proofing your home.

The first step is to make sure your house is safe for your pet. If you have a highly mobile animal, such as a dog or cat, this may take a little work. It’s similar to baby-proofing.

• Make sure all toxic materials, such as antifreeze, medicine, human pain relievers, chocolate, raisins, household cleaners or rat poisons are out of your pet’s reach. (Never administer medication without consulting your veterinarian).

• Watch for heavy objects that are high up or unstable. (What about that lamp on top of a wobbly end table? Or the iron perched on an ironing board?)

• Remember, pets have teeth and love to chew. Keep an eye out for damage to electrical cords, plants, furniture and woodwork. (Certain household plants can be highly toxic to your pet).

Note: For more advice on how to make your home safe, go to www.healthypet.com.

Settling in.

Whether you’ve brought home a kitten or a full-grown dog, your pet needs time to adjust to new surroundings. A few little steps can make a big difference.

• Try to ease your pet into her new situation as gently as possible. Avoid a noisy welcome by excited family and friends waiting to see your new pet the minute you get home. This could make the first impression of his new home very frightening.

• Take your pet to a part of the house that will be his retreat and give him a little time alone. For example, show a dog to his crate but don’t force him into it or lock the door. Your new cat will probably appreciate an empty, quiet room. It is common for pets to seek a secluded place to hide in a new environment. Pocket pets and exotics can be placed in their cage. This alone time lets your pet explore her new surroundings and learn that she’s safe.

Build a routine.

Your pet will naturally feel more secure when he can rely on a regular routine. As your pet learns to anticipate the activities of daily life, he’ll come to feel confident in his new home.

• Feed him the same portion of food at the same times every day.

• Let him exercise at the same times daily.

• Establish a regular bedtime every night.

Start a friendship.

Now that your new family member is feeling calm and secure, you can concentrate on getting to know each other. Make plenty of time to play, with your pet’s energy focused on chasing, attacking and batting at toys. Set aside time for petting, ear scratching and grooming, too. Let your pet get used to the voices and hands of everyone in your family. If she seems nervous or gets tired, let her retreat to the safe haven you gave her on her first day home.

Page 2 of 5

Once You’ve Found Your Perfect Pet.The perfect pair of eyes meet yours at the animal shelter, breeder or pet store, and you’ve found your furry soul mate. He gets his physical exam, vaccinations and I.D. tag, and the two of you head for home. Now what?

The Best Pet Owners Give Lots of Attention And Pay Close Attention, Too.

Our pets entertain us, make us laugh, and love us without condition. What can you do to give them your healthy care and loving attention in return?

Here are a few ideas to get you started.

• Spend time together by going for a walk, hanging out in the back yard, playing games with a favorite toy, or snuggling as you watch TV.

• Always contact your veterinarian immediately if you suspect something’s wrong. Your veterinarian can be your greatest ally for your pet’s overall health and well being.

• Feed healthy food formulated for your pet’s consumption (avoid potato chips, cookies, raisins, chocolate or other fatty human foods). Please pay close attention to your pet’s meal portions and the number of treats.

• Update your pet’s identification tags and microchip, especially if you move or change phone numbers. If your pet gets lost, this is one of the best steps you can take to ensure a safe return.

Page 3 of 5

Creating a Healthy Relationship.Along with pet parenthood comes a natural concern for your pet’s best health. This section can help you become aware of some of the most common health problems your pet might face, and steps you can take to prevent or manage them.

Patrolling parasites.

Fleas, ticks and mosquitoes are all troublesome parasites that can transmit diseases to your pet. Transmission of these vector-borne diseases (some are serious and can even be fatal) continue to grow and are spreading into suburban areas. One of the wisest moves you can make as a good pet owner is to protect your pet, your family and your home from these parasites and the havoc they can wreak.

The startling facts about parasites.

Fleas: During their lifespan of 6 to 12 months, a pair of fleas can produce millions of offspring. Fleas can cause reactions in your pet, from mild skin irritation to severe allergic reactions. Flea-related diseases include flea-allergy dermatitis, anemia, tapeworm disease and Bartonellosis. Scratching, scabs and black particles (“flea dirt”) on the skin may be signs your pet has a flea problem.

Ticks: These blood-sucking parasites can survive whenever the temperature reaches 32ºF or higher and can carry several diseases. That means that ticks can multiply and become an even greater problem in warmer climates but they can be found in all parts of the country. One female tick can lay thousands of eggs. Ticks tend to thrive in weeds, brush piles, wooded areas and grass.

Mosquitoes: Besides the itchy bite we’ve all experienced, mosquitoes can spread heartworm disease to dogs and cats. They lay their eggs in standing water, one at a time in “rafts” of up to 300. It doesn’t take much water, either; as little as a bottle cap full is enough to start an infestation.

Internal parasites: Aside from external parasites, there are also internal parasites that can attack your pet from within. These include heartworms, whipworms, roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, as well as single-celled parasites Coccidia and Giardia. Talk to your veterinarian about prevention of these parasites since they can cause sickness, intestinal damage, and even death. Zoonotic diseases can infect humans as well as animals. To help prevent the spread of infection, always clean up your pet’s waste as quickly as possible.

• Practice good personal hygiene• Dispose of pet feces on a

regular basis • Minimize exposure to high pet

traffic areas • Avoid contact between pets

and wildlife

Prevention tips include:

Important note: Be careful to use all parasite-control products as directed. Some are effective for dogs but toxic to cats. When using chemical products, use caution. Ask your veterinarian before you start any parasite-control program.

What is the best protection?

The good news is that there are a number of advanced parasite treatment and control products available through your veterinarian. Many of these are simple to apply, may protect against one or all of these parasites, and monthly application can provide year-round protection. Because pets react differently to medication, your veterinarian is your best source for the safe and effective solution for your pet.

There are precautions that can be used to help prevent the spread of zoonotic diseases. Persons with compromised immune systems, pregnant women and children under the age of 5 should take extra precaution.

• Pregnant women should wear gloves and a simple respiratory mask when gardening and they should delegate the daily cleaning of litter boxes to another family member or friend.

• Young children should not play with or touch pet litter boxes

• Take your pet to the veterinarian for regular exams and vaccinations

Page 4 of 5

They may be adorable, pudgy and happy but overweight pets have increased health risks. It’s not enough to resist those sad eyes begging for leftovers. One of the best ways to give your pet a longer and happier life is to feed the right food (and make sure she gets plenty of exercise).

The right diet can make a healthy difference.

As many as 89 percent of dog and cat owners feed their animals table scraps, according to a study by the American Animal Hospital Association. Unfortunately, people food is often too high in fat for animals to metabolize. Feeding table scraps is a bad habit that can cause health issues for your pet. Not every pet food you buy is automatically good for your pet. Consult your veterinarian about creating a healthy diet suited for your pet based on his breed, age and overall health.

Serve a Healthy Diet.

Visit your veterinarian.One of the most important things you can do for your new pet is to find a veterinarian who makes you and your pet feel comfortable, and then keep up with your pet’s regular appointments. The right veterinarian can help to prevent health and behavioral problems, vaccinate your pet against diseases, and catch potential problems before they become serious.

Getting prepared for cost.Just like the rest of the family, your pet needs a healthy diet, regular checkups and vaccinations. She may get hurt or sick, too. So along with the expenses of pet food, treats and grooming, you’ll need to plan for routine veterinary care. Though we hope it doesn’t happen, your pet may also unexpectedly need emergency care.

It’s good to know that many veterinarians accept CareCredit with special financing options that allow you to make monthly payments for your pet’s everyday needs and emergency care. CareCredit is a credit card you can use for veterinary and healthcare services. No Interest if Paid in Full within 6, 12, 18 or 24 Months* is available on qualifying purchases of $200 or more made with your CareCredit credit card account at enrolled provider locations. Interest will be charged to your account from the purchase date if the promotional purchase is not paid in full within the promotional period. Purchases eligible for 6, 12 or 18 month promotions: Minimum Monthly Payments required and may pay off purchase before end of promotional period. Purchases eligible for a 24 Month promotion: Fixed Monthly Payments required until paid in full and based on repayment over 24 months.

To find veterinarians in your area who offer CareCredit, use the Provider Locator at www.carecredit.com.

Support Good Health.

* No interest will be charged on the promotional purchase if you pay the promotional purchase amount in full within the 6, 12, 18 or 24 month promotional period. If you do not, interest will be charged on the promotional purchase from the purchase date. If your purchase qualifies for a 24-month promotional offer, fixed monthly payments are required equal to 4.1667% of initial promotional purchase amount until promotion is paid in full. The fixed monthly payment will be rounded up to the next highest whole dollar and may be higher than the minimum payment that would be required if the purchase was a non-promotional purchase. For all other promotional offers, the regular minimum monthly payment terms of the account will apply. Regular account terms apply to non-promotional purchases and, after promotion ends, to promotional balance, except the fixed monthly payment will apply until the promotion is paid in full. For new accounts: Purchase APR is 26.99%; Minimum Interest Charge is $2. Existing cardholders should see their credit card agreements for their applicable terms. Subject to credit approval.

®

Page 5 of 5

The Best Owners Partner With Their Veterinarian.

The best time to choose a veterinary hospital is before your pet needs one. Ask family and friends for recommendations. Online services can also help to locate your nearest veterinary clinics:

• www.carecredit.com is a convenient nationwide online resource to find veterinarians in your area who accept the CareCredit credit card

• www.healthypet.com features a Hospital Locator with the names of AAHA-accredited hospitals in your area

Once you decide on a hospital, check it out.

Ask for a tour of the facility. It should be clean and well-lit. Ask about laboratory capabilities and kennels for boarding (if needed). Is the hospital accredited by AAHA to meet high standards of care in areas such as surgery, medical records, anesthesia, and dentistry? Be sure the veterinarian meets your expectations.

You and your pet should feel comfortable with the doctor. Finally, find out if the office hours and payment policy work for you. Does the hospital offer flexible financing options through CareCredit? Ask for a hospital brochure or welcome letter that explains the hospital policies and procedures.

The Importance of Veterinary Care.

Some of the most remarkable advancements in human medicine are now available to help, heal and, in some cases, save the lives of pets we love. Your veterinarian will be able to keep you up to date on the best options.

• Noticeable increase in water consumption or urination

• Sudden weight loss or gain

• Decrease in appetite or failure to eat

• Increase in appetite

• Repeated vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Difficulty in passing stool or urine

• Unexplained “accidents”

• Lameness

• Decrease in vision

• Open sores or scabs on the skin

• Foul mouth odor or excessive drooling

• Bloating of the abdomen

• Decreased physical activity

• Hair loss, especially if accompanied by scratching or if in specific areas

• Excessive panting

• Inability to chew food

• Blood in stool or urine

• Sudden collapse or bout of weakness

• A seizure (convulsion)

• Persistent coughing or gagging

• Breathing heavily or rapidly when resting

• Excessive licking or self mutilation

• Shaking head excessively (ears)

• Sudden change of behavior

• Trauma or blood

When should you call the vet? If you notice any of the following signs in your pet, contact your veterinarian.

Rev 4/16