New Pet Guide - Everything You Need to Know

Book a vet visit for your pet's first week. Bring any records from the breeder, shelter or previous owner, a list of questions, a sample of the current food, and a stool sample if the clinic asks for one.

Before You Get a Pet

Time, money and space

Dogs and cats can live 10 to 20 years. Plan for daily feeding, exercise, grooming and play, plus training time for a puppy or young animal.

Budget for set-up (adoption fee, supplies, first vet visit), running costs (food, preventive care, grooming) and surprises like illness. Price up pet insurance. A rough yearly figure is 10,000 to 25,000 DKK or more, depending on species and size.

Check your housing rules, your space, and outdoor access. Everyone at home should agree, and allergies should be ruled out.

Choosing a pet

Dogs are social and active, and need a lot of time and training. Cats are more independent and mostly live indoors. Small mammals vary by species, and birds live long and need specialised care.

Puppies and kittens need training, socialisation and several vet visits. Adults often have a settled personality and some training. Seniors have less energy and may have health problems.

Shelters and rescues save lives and often include first vet care. Reputable breeders do health testing and genetic screening. Avoid pet shops, puppy mills and online ads you can't verify.

Supplies

For dogs

• Stainless steel or ceramic bowls, and food suited to age and size
• A well-fitted collar with ID tag, a harness, and a 1.8-metre leash
• A bed or crate, blankets, and chew, interactive and fetch toys
• A brush or comb, dog shampoo, nail clippers, and a dog toothbrush and toothpaste
• Treats, and enzymatic cleaner for accidents

For cats

• Separate ceramic or stainless steel bowls, and food suited to age
• One litter box per cat plus one extra, unscented clumping litter, a scoop and a mat
• A bed, a cat tree, several kinds of scratching post, and toys such as wands and balls
• A brush, nail clippers, and a cat-safe toothbrush and toothpaste
• A sturdy, well-ventilated carrier for vet visits

Your First Vet Visit

Expect a full physical exam and a talk about vaccinations, parasites, microchipping (if not done), spaying or neutering, food, and behaviour.

Dogs in Denmark must be ID-marked and registered in Dansk Hunderegister, and only vets and ID-markers registered with the register may do the marking. Check the current rules for your dog with Fødevarestyrelsen.

Vaccinations

Puppies and kittens usually get a first vaccination at 6 to 8 weeks, then boosters every 3 to 4 weeks until 16 weeks. Your vet sets the actual schedule.

• Puppies: core vaccines cover distemper, parvovirus and adenovirus. Bordetella, leptospirosis and canine influenza are optional.
• Kittens: core vaccines cover feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and panleukopenia (FVRCP). FeLV is optional.
• Rabies: needed if you travel abroad with your pet. Ask your vet what applies.
• Adults: depends on vaccination history. Some need the full series, others only boosters.

Parasites

Roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms and whipworms are the main internal parasites. Monthly preventives are commonly recommended, with stool tests two to four times in the first year, then yearly.

Fleas, ticks and mites are external. Prevention is monthly, as a spot-on or tablet, and in many regions it runs year-round.

Heartworm is spread by mosquitoes and prevented with monthly medication. Whether it matters for you depends mostly on where you travel, so ask your vet.

Spaying and neutering

Surgery prevents unwanted litters, lowers some health risks (mammary cancer, pyometra, testicular cancer), and cuts roaming and marking.

Timing varies. Six months is traditional, some vets operate at 8 to 16 weeks, and large-breed dogs may wait until the growth plates close. Settle it with your vet.

Food

Choose a food made for your pet's life stage (puppy or kitten, adult, senior) with a named meat protein first and no artificial colours or heavy filler. Use a breed-specific formula only if needed.

Dry food is convenient and cheaper. Wet food has more moisture and costs more. Raw diets are debated and need vet guidance, and home-cooked diets should come from a veterinary nutritionist.

Puppies and kittens eat 3 to 4 meals a day until about 6 months. Follow the package guide and adjust to body condition. Switch to adult food at around 12 months, depending on breed. Adults eat 1 to 2 measured meals at regular times. Seniors may need a senior formula and smaller, more frequent meals. Always keep fresh water out.

Foods to avoid

• Dogs: chocolate, grapes and raisins, onions and garlic, xylitol (an artificial sweetener), macadamia nuts, alcohol, and cooked bones, which can splinter.
• Cats: onions, garlic and chives, grapes and raisins, chocolate, caffeine, alcohol and raw dough. Lilies are extremely toxic.

Training and Socialisation

Puppies

For house training, take the puppy out every 1 to 2 hours at first, and after meals, naps and play. Reward outdoor toilet trips, clean accidents with enzymatic cleaner, and stay patient.

Teach sit, stay, come, down and leave it with rewards, in short sessions. A crate gives a safe place and helps house training, but never use it as punishment.

Socialisation matters most between 3 and 16 weeks. Introduce different people, friendly vaccinated dogs, and varied places, sounds and surfaces, including car rides. Practise handling paws, ears and mouth. Skip dog parks until vaccinations are complete.

Kittens

Most kittens take to the litter box naturally. Show them where it is and keep it clean.

Put several scratching posts near where the kitten sleeps and plays, use catnip to draw it over, and praise it for using them. If it bites, redirect to a toy and stop play. Never use your hands as toys.

Pet-Proofing Your Home

• Cords: cover exposed ones and unplug when not in use.
• Toxic items: put away cleaning products and medication, lock cabinets with hazardous materials, and remove toxic plants.
• Small objects: clear choking hazards, secure bins, and store string, ribbon and rubber bands.
• Windows and balconies: use secure screens, don't leave windows open unsupervised, and consider balcony netting for cats.
• Furniture: secure heavy pieces that could tip.

The First Days at Home

Set feeding times, a toilet or litter schedule, play and quiet periods, and a regular sleep routine from day one. Keep the home calm, give your pet a safe place to retreat, and limit visitors for a few days. Build trust with gentle handling, treats from your hand and calm play.

Common first-week problems

Upset stomach. Stress, a food change or parasites can cause it. Change food gradually and watch for vomiting or diarrhoea. See your vet if it doesn't clear up.

Poor sleep. Put the crate next to your bed at first and move it away gradually. Keep a steady bedtime routine and ignore attention-seeking.

Anxiety. Clinginess, hiding, a smaller appetite and some vocalising are normal at first. Stay patient and consistent.

Long-Term Care

• Check-ups: yearly exam with boosters as needed, parasite screening and a dental check. Senior pets also get blood work.
• Teeth: daily brushing is ideal. Professional cleanings follow your vet's advice.
• Grooming: brush as the coat requires and trim nails every 3 to 4 weeks.
• Dogs: two to three walks a day at minimum, plus training, time with other dogs and play.
• Cats: 15 to 20 minutes of interactive play daily, cat trees and window views, puzzle feeders, and rotating toys.

When your dog is settled, our dog daycare and dog boarding are there for working days and trips away. For a new-pet check-up, contact the clinic.