for healthy happy puppies
Caring for your Puppy
It is important that your puppy is properly cared for and that it lives a happy and healthy life. Here are some top tips to follow to ensure that your puppy remains fit and healthy.
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Examine your puppy’s body, checking its eyes, ears, mouth, legs and paws, this way you can identify any possible problems immediately. This will also help you in the future as your puppy will be used to the examination and administering any medical treatment will be made easier.
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Always keep your puppy’s eyes and ears clean, if they are not checked regularly your puppy could develop an infection. Pet Safe Ear wipes and Pet Safe Eye wipes are a great way of ensuring that these areas are kept as clean as possible.
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You should ensure that your puppy is treated against worms and fleas on a regular basis. It’s important to ask when you purchase the puppy if any treatment against worms and fleas has been given.
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Find out if your puppy has been vaccinated, if not arrange for vaccinations with your vet as soon as possible.
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Make enquires about pet insurance, quotes can vary greatly depending on you particular breed of dog and where you live.
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Monitor your puppy closely, if it becomes ill take it to straight the vet for professional advice and treatment.
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Bath your puppy when necessary; always remember to use a mild puppy shampoo and warm water. It is important not to bath your puppy too often as it can take away the natural oils in the coat and skin.
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At eight weeks old your puppy should have all its baby teeth. Usually between three and six months your puppy will lose its baby teeth and its adult teeth will begin to come through. It is essential that you develop a dental care routine with your puppy then. Use a suitable toothbrush and toothpaste to keep your puppy’s gums and teeth healthy. Regular brushing can help prevent your dog developing gum disease and bad breath.
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It is highly likely that your puppy will chew anything and everything so provide it with a range of teething toys. This will distract them from your furniture or shoes.
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Your puppy should be fed a high quality puppy food as this will provide your puppy with all the necessary nutrients needed to ensure that they develop correctly. You should NEVER feed your puppy cat food.
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Your puppy should be given regular exercise; excessive exercise should be avoided when your puppy is young. Excessive exercise could damage your puppy’s developed joints and limbs. Extendable leads are useful for controlled exercise and recall training.
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Develop a regular grooming programme with your puppy, to ensure that their coat remains in good condition. A puppy brush and puppy slicker should be used as they are not too harsh. Introducing grooming from a young age is beneficial for both you and your puppy; try to make grooming a fun process. This will make grooming a lot easier in the future as your puppy will be used to the process.
