The Difference Between Raising Kittens & Puppies

Raising both puppies and kittens can be a rewarding experience that results in a lifetime bond with your pet. Care for either of these types of young animals involves feeding, socialization and providing a warm environment and health care. Because these are two different species, certain aspects of their care differ; if raising both types of animals together, take care to attend to the specific needs of each species separately.

  1. Nutrition

    • Puppies and kittens have different nutritional needs. Cats are carnivores, while dogs are omnivores, meaning that cats require more proteins from meat in their diet than dogs. If bottle feeding either puppies or kittens, purchase species-specific formulas that are nutritionally balanced for either felines or canines; these formulas prevent vitamin or mineral deficiencies of essential nutrients. Cats require taurine, arachidonic acid, niacin, arginine and felinine in their diets, while dogs need less of them, if at all, according to PetMD. Because of these nutritional differences, when weaning puppies or kittens, mix their formula with wet or dry species-specific foods. Avoid having puppies or kittens eat each other's foods to avoid malnutrition.

    Socialization and Environment

    • Both puppies and kittens need socialization with people and other animals to prevent fear and aggression later in life. For dogs, this is especially important as improper socialization can lead to serious biting issues later in life. Dogs, unlike cats, should also become acclimated to being walked on a leash outdoors. Begin clicker and reward-based training for puppies around 5 to 6 weeks old, when they are eating solid food, to prevent destructive behavior as they get older. Puppies should have interactive toys, such as refillable treat balls, that they can play with in your absence, especially during crate training. Kittens should be given scratching posts and climbing trees to prevent destructive scratching, along with small toys to bat around.

    Health Care

    • Puppies and kittens require different vaccinations for their health. Kittens should be tested for both feline leukemia and the feline immunodeficiency virus, as both of these diseases can be passed from mother to kitten. If you test a kitten for FeLV or FIV before 9 weeks of age, have them retested in one to two months, recommends the Vestal Veterinary Hospital. Kittens require minimum vaccinations for respiratory illnesses, including feline viral rhinotracheitis (herpes type I), calici virus and panleukopenia, starting at 8 weeks old; vaccinations are repeated every four weeks until 16 weeks of age. Puppies, starting at 6 weeks old, require minimum vaccinations for distemper, hepatitis and parvovirus. These vaccinations are repeated every three weeks until 16 weeks of age. Rabies vaccinations should be given to both puppies and kittens at 3 months of age.

    Potty Training

    • After puppies and kittens begin to eliminate by themselves, at around 3 to 4 weeks old, you should make alternate bathroom arrangements. Kittens only require brief litter box training, usually involving showing the kittens the litter box, putting them into it several times and praising them if they use it correctly. Puppies, on the other hand, need potty training to teach them how to eliminate outdoors. This is a much longer, more involved process that may take weeks of positive reinforcement with treat and clicker training. The age at which a puppy can hold his bladder through the night varies from puppy to puppy, but on average, a puppy can generally hold his bladder throughout the night once he reaches the age of 16 weeks. He will require frequent walks, especially after meals, to teach him to eliminate outdoors properly, according to PetPlace.com.