There is no doubt, adopting a puppy is one of the most joyous occasions humans will ever experience. People who have never had a child compare it to what they imagine childbirth would be like. Puppies are cuddly and full of cuteness from the tip of the tail, to the tip of the nose. On the other hand, a puppy is a big responsibility. While most puppies can eat wet and/or dry food, they are not always skilled eaters. In addition to furthering the new puppy’s eating abilities, owners are responsible for their diet. A trip to the local vet will provide ample dietary tips for first-time puppy owners.
This is just one of the many responsibilities you will take on as a parent to a new puppy. Learn more about how to lay out the welcome mat for a brand-new puppy by reading the content provided below.
A Visit to the Vet
Regardless of where your pet originated, breeder, humane society, friend, or family member, a trip to the vet is a necessity. Every puppy should be examined by a licensed veterinarian. The exam will give the owner an idea of how healthy or unhealthy the new puppy is, in addition to providing other valuable information.
The vet will examine the puppy’s ears, eyes, head, teeth, heart, lungs, and physical structure. A blood sample is taken to determine if the puppy has heartworms. Last, but not least, the puppy will be examined for worms.
Once the examination is complete, the vet will discuss the findings with the other. The more common findings are ear mites and worms, which are treated with prescription medications.
A vet assistant will weigh the puppy to ensure he is at least the average weight. If the puppy has not had his first vaccine, the vet will administer it following the exam.
Utilize the first vet visit to gather information about puppy food, water, crate training, and other essentials.
A Visit to the Pet Store
Shopping for puppy supplies is generally an exciting adventure. Just knowing a puppy is on the way to your home is exciting within itself. Before heading to your local pet store, it is a good idea to create a shopping list. Turn to family members, friends, co-workers, neighbors, and other acquaintances with pets. You can revert back to these reliable sources as your puppy matures into an adult dog. It is always a good idea to have reliable sources at your disposal in the event the puppy falls ill or is injured.
Crate
A must-have is a crate, which will play an important role in the housetraining process. The crate should be large enough to suffice for now and when the puppy becomes an adult. It does not make sense to buy a crate that would not grow with your puppy. It would mean an additional expense several months down the road.
Food and Water Bowls
Most consumers tend to buy a matching set of water and food bowls. This is more for aesthetics as it is not absolutely necessary. Some people utilize disposal plates and bowls for serving food. While this does cut down the time by eliminating the need to wash dishes, a puppy needs its own bowl.
Domesticated animals are like humans, they grow fond of their belongings and surroundings. It is crucial for the puppy to become familiar and comfortable with its food and water bowls.
Puppy Food
The vet should have given you puppy food suggestions. If not, speak to a representative at the pet store. Most pet store representatives are knowledgeable about different types of puppy food. Royal Canin, Hill’s Science Diet, Blue Buffalo Wilderness, and Orijen are brands that you will come familiar with over time.
It is to be expected, the puppy will want to eat your food. Homemade puppy food is perfectly fine with the right ingredients. Can dogs eat tomatoes, blueberries, and bell peppers?
The American Kennel Club “AKC” recommends never feeding puppies actual tomato, bell pepper, or blueberry plant, members of the nightshade family. Tomatoes contain the toxin, tomatine, which could potentially be fatal for dogs.
You may also be curious if you can opt for wet food for puppies. Wet dog food for puppies is great to transition them from nursing to consuming food for adult pups. To add, it contains higher water content to keep your puppy hydrated.
Collar and Leash
A collar offers multiple benefits for owners and puppies. It is crucial for the puppy to be introduced to its new collar and leash once he is settled in. This will ensure much easier leash training since the collar and leash are not foreign to the puppy.
Most people start training their puppy to walk on a leash within several days of bringing him home.
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