PETs

Owning a Pet is a Privilege not a Right
The USAG Grafenwoehr Pet Working Group in coordination with the USAG Grafenwoehr Veterinary Treatment Facility (VTF) has been working together on developing a comprehensive “Installation Level” Pet Policy to better inform and educate Pet Owners.
The purpose is to make a difference in the community by building well informed, educated human, pet relationships. Pets can play an important role in people's lives and are often referred to as 'one of the Family'. They provide a constant source of enjoyment, friendship and fun, many pets thrive in a family and household environment.
 USAG Grafenwoehr and USAG Grafenwoehr Veterinary Treatment Facility (VTF) are committed to ensuring that the rules and regulations of Pet Ownership are followed.
Failure to comply may result in termination of pet privileges

Registering Your Pet
All Residents residing in Government Control Quarters must register their pets within 14 days of purchase or arrival in country with the USAG Grafenwoehr Veterinary Treatment Facility (VTF) located at:

***40% of all Pet Owners are not incompliance with the current policy***
Currently: USAG Grafenwoehr is implementing a 45 day grace period to register pets.
Pet Friendly Information Brochure
Pickup a copy of our Pet Friendly information brochure at one of the following locations:
USAG Housing Office, Library, ACS, PX pet-food aisle, Commissary pet-food aisle, USO, and USAG Grafenwoehr Veterinary Treatment Facilityor .online under the Pet Brochure Tab.
www.grafenwoehr.army.mil/pdfs/PetCareBrochure%20Rev1.pdf

Pet Policy Letter #28
Pet Ownership Responsibilities in Government Quarters USAG Policy Letter # 28 can be obtained at USAG Housing Office or here under the Pet Policy Tab.
www.grafenwoehr.army.mil/sites/newcomers/petpolicy.html

First-Time Pet Owner
Register your new pets within 14 days of purchase or arrival in country with the USAG Grafenwoehr Veterinary Treatment Facility

 Essential Care

Congratulationson the furry, four-pawed addition to your family!
As a first-time pet owner, you may be scratching your head, wondering what’s next.
Take charge of your pet’s well-being and learn how his most essential needs; eating, playing and staying healthy are crucial for his quality of life.

Dogs and Puppies:

Cats and Kittens:
Same as above + Scratching Post – Cat carrier & Litter boxes and sifter

Where’s Waldo? Need a Microchip
Help your pet avoid an unwanted trip to the pound or potential injury while running lost.
In addition to a comfortable collar with ID tags attached, pets should receive a microchip from the veterinarian.
Remember it’s not just about having the microchip implanted, but also registering your current detailed information:
Phone number, Address, etc; Keep current with every PCS
If lost, the pet’s microchip can be scanned, creating a greater chance of return

Your Veterinarian Knows Best!
Whatever the situation, if you suspect your pet is ill or injured; don't hesitate to take him to your veterinarian. The earlier the problem is identified and the appropriate treatment is started, the better the outcome will be.

Helping Pets through Education

As cute as they may be, new pets can easily become ill; There’s a solution: vaccinations.
Young pets are susceptible to everything from parvo and rabies to a common bacteria causing excessive coughing; kennel cough.
Puppies and kittens follow a routine vaccination process, typically given every 3 to 4 weeks until 16 weeks of age. Contact the USAG Grafenwoehr Veterinary Treatment Facility (VTF) to set up an appointment.
Your Veterinarian Knows Best!
If you suspect your pet is ill or injured; take the pet to your veterinarian.
The earlier the problem is identified and the appropriate treatment is started, the better the outcome will be.

Adult pets follow an annual vaccination schedule.

Vaccination Checklist

***Always consult with your Veterinarian to determine your pet’s vaccination schedule***
Dogs:                               Cats:
DAPP                               FVRCP                      
Rabies                               Rabies
Bordetella                          FeLV
Leptospira

Worms, Ticks and Fleas, Oh My!
This topic ought to bug you. Most puppies and kittens have worms, which can be easily passed to people. Be proactive: bring a stool sample to each veterinary appointment, or drop one off if it has been over 1 year since your last appointment, for a fecal test and avoid the costly necessity to treat the problem after the fact.  Also, be prepared to ask about heartworm, flea and tick control for the region in which you live.

It’s A Fix!
Unless you’re planning on breeding your pet, spaying or neutering offers not only the benefits of birth control, it can decrease aggression and can also prevent cancers, uterine infections and in cats, wandering.
Consult the Veterinarian about the best time to schedule this procedure.

Sitting Pretty! Grooming
Grooming our pets is as much for the pet owner’s benefit as it is for theirs.
A good bath, haircut, nail trimming and a swipe of the ears makes for a healthy pet.
Regular grooming is a terrific time to check your pet for changes in skin condition, unusual lumps under the fur, broken toe nails and waxy ear buildup which can lead to an ear infection.
Most pets can be conditioned to enjoy regular pampering if they start at a young age.
Ask your veterinarian which variety of shampoos, brushes and nail trimmers are best suited for your pet.

Feeding a Pet

Pets can grow from fluffy to flabby. It’s true: studies show between 25 and 40 percent of household pets are overweight or obese, leading to obesity-related pet illnesses and increased veterinary costs. Start healthy eating habits early by feeding your pet a quality kibble; be sure to consult your veterinarian on your pet food selection. If you adopted a young pet, make sure to ask if a growth formula diet is appropriate.

Pesky Poisons

Get the Scoop
 

Potty training is essential for your pet’s health.
. Cats and Kittens
The number one reason cats and kittens visit the veterinarian?
Urinary tract infection, it’s serious and expensive to treat.
Veterinarians recommend having one litter box for every cat in the house plus one additional box. For example: three cats need four boxes. Each cat will have a preference for certain types of litter, so try several out – sand, clumping, oat husk, recycled newspaper, wood chips, scented, unscented.
Also each cat may prefer a different style of box – covered, uncovered, circular, self cleaning, extra large – in particular in multi-cat households covered boxes provide protection so each cat isn’t disturbed when doing his/her business.

Dogs and Puppies
Puppies, like young children, need to go to the bathroom after eating, drinking, sleeping or playing. Repetitively taking your puppy outside following each of these activities will effectively train him to relieve himself outdoors.
Praising your puppy for going potty will also encourage him to continue going outside. Creating a potty schedule is a good idea for dogs, which naturally prefer to follow a routine.
Remember to pick up after your pet

If your dog has an accident indoors, never scold him or rub his nose in the spot. Instead of punishing him, clean up the spot immediately with a safe, bleach-free, ammonia-free product that won’t harm your pet, children, carpets or furniture.
If the odor remains, the dog will associate the spot as a designated potty area. Specialty cleaners may be bought at pet stores.

Play It Safe

Toys for your pet

Take a trip to the pet store and the vast variety of squeaky, cute toys will call out to you, begging to be bought.
Beware of toys with small parts, any with metal or those that can be swallowed in part or whole.
Never leave cats alone with string toys; accidental ingestion is life-threatening and often requires expensive surgical procedures.

Curb That Behavior
Scratching posts for cats and kittens are a must-have to prevent behavior problems. Kittens need them as a safe perch to escape to when they live with children or dogs, and you can train your kittens to scratch on the posts rather than on your furniture.
While scratching on furniture is normal marking behavior, you can train your kitten not to by spraying Feliway®, a pheromone that tricks them into thinking they have already marked a spot.

Dogs and puppies can be enrolled in obedience training beginning at 10-12 weeks of age, after their second puppy vaccination generally. Having a well-trained dog who listens to your commands can prevent accidental injuries such as running into the street toward an oncoming car, and can curb aggressive behavior such as biting. Positive reinforcement is another remedy for curbing your pet’s bad behavior. Praising a pet for doing the right thing is more effective than scolding them for doing the wrong thing.