Puppy Care
Your new puppy’s first days at home are an exciting time for the whole family. Your puppy will be excited too although may miss his or her litter mates for several days.
It is a good idea to prepare everything which you will need for your new puppy before you collect him or her from the breeder. Here are some things that your new puppy will need.
A water bowl and a food bowl
Buy ones that will be large enough for adult dog requirements. Fresh water should be available at all times. Try to find out what the breeder fed your pup and continue this diet for the first 2-3 days. We recommend feeding Purina Pro Plan Dry Puppy food from the Pro Plan range. To introduce this food mix it 50/50 with the old diet for the next few days and slowly increase the amount so that you are feeding just the new diet within 10 days.
A bed
Your puppy should have his/her own bed. If your puppy is still with its mother prior to collection, take some of the new bedding with you and wipe it over the mother to collect some of her ‘smell’. This should help your pup feel more secure at his/her new home. A DAP Diffuser, which releases a synthetic pheromone similar to that of the mother, often helps pups to settle in their new home. These can be purchased in the surgery. If you use a cage in the car for your pup, consider using this as the bed too. It will then become Puppy’s secure space. Locate the bed somewhere tucked out of the way and out of droughts so that you new pup will feel safe, secure and warm.
A collar and tag
Not only is this a good idea, it is also a legal requirement. Let your pup get used to the feeling of the collar before using a lead. An ID chip is a good idea too. Chipping may be done at the surgery.
Worming
We recommend regular worming as the best way to protect your pet and your family from intestinal parasites. Puppies should be wormed every 2 weeks until the age of 12 weeks and then every 3 months after that for life. Our staff will be happy to advise you on the best products for your dog.
Flea treatment
We recommend that you protect your dog from fleas and ticks all year long. There are several excellent products available either as sprays or a ‘spot-ons’. Some sprays are safe to use on puppies as young as 2 days of age, and protects against fleas for up to 3 months. The ‘spot-ons’ can be usually used on dogs from 12 weeks of age. It is easier to administer but only offers protection for up to 2 months. These products are available from the surgery and our staff will be be on hand to help.
Vaccinations
Vaccinations need to be done yearly after the first course (which can be started at 8 weeks of age) to ensure that your dog remains protected from killer diseases such as distemper, parvovirus and leptospirosis.
SocialisationIt is important that your pup get used to as many different situations as possible. This is called socialisation. Our Puppy Parties area good way to introduce your pup to other puppies. Please take advantage of these and of the free nurses’ adolescent check-ups.
Neutering
Neutering may be from 6 months of age. In both the dog and the bitch, this is a surgical procedure performed under general anaesthetic. We do recommend routine neutering to prevent problems later in your pet’s life.
Insurance
We do recommend that you take out pet insurance as soon as you get your new puppy and keep him or her insured for life. This will give you peace of mind that, if ever your pet is unwell or has an accident, you will be able to afford the best possible veterinary care. There are many policies available; please check the small print to ensure that you are choosing the correct product.
