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Puppy, Kitten & Senior
Starter gear for puppies and kittens and comfort gear for senior pets, matched to AAHA life-stage guidelines and to the growth or all-life-stages statement on the food.
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What to buy before day one, and what can wait.
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Litter box, scratching post, carrier and the rest.
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Ramps, rugs and the checkups AAHA recommends.
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What vet groups say not to cut, and what can wait.
ReadGrowth food, a crate, pads and chews soft enough for baby teeth.
Six puppy foods with the AAFCO growth statement read off each maker's page, why large breeds need the 70 lb wording, and how to switch foods gently.
Wire, plastic, soft-sided and heavy-duty dog crates compared, how MidWest says to measure your dog, when to use a divider, and crate time limits.
Seven dog pee pads compared by layers, size, pack count and washing care, with ASPCA and AVMA guidance on house training and on accidents in older dogs.
When puppy teething ends, what the ASPCA suggests for sore gums, the thumbnail test for soft chews, and four teething, tug and fetch toys for small pups.
Five soft or freeze-dried training treats with calories per piece from the maker or listing, the 10% treat rule from Tufts and WSAVA, and xylitol risks.
Kitten food, a litter box, a scratcher, toys and a carrier for vet visits.
Five kitten foods with the AAFCO growth statement read off each maker's page, why kittens should try wet food early, and when a kitten moves to adult food.
Seven open, hooded, top-entry and self-cleaning litter boxes, sized against the AAFP's 1.5-times-body-length rule, with Cornell's advice on covers and kittens.
Scratching posts, cat trees and cardboard scratchers compared by height, base and surface, with what the ASPCA, AVMA and FelineVMA say about declawing.
Two wand toys, a catnip kicker and three puzzle feeders for indoor cats, what feline vets say play is for, and why string toys go away after play.
What cat-friendly vets look for in a carrier (top and front doors, a removable top half), five carriers that fit, and how to get a reluctant cat inside.
Senior food for dogs and cats, plus supportive beds and joint supplements for older dogs.
AAFCO has no senior life stage, so a senior dog food is an adult food. Five senior formulas with the AAFCO statement from each maker's page, and what to check.
Senior cat foods are adult foods: AAFCO has no senior stage. Four with the maker's AAFCO statement, why older cats lose weight, and when kidney diets matter.
Six orthopedic dog beds compared by foam type, thickness, size and washable cover, with the AVMA's signs of arthritis and Big Barker's nose-to-tail sizing rule.
What vet schools say about glucosamine, chondroitin and fish oil for dogs, why supplements aren't FDA-approved drugs, and which hold the NASC Seal.
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