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What to Know When You Bring Your Puppy Home
What to Know When You Bring Your Puppy Home

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Puppy Essential for Welcoming Home a New Puppy

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Bringing home a new puppy is a fun and exciting event for a first-time dog parent. Congratulations! If you have recently brought a cute little puppy home. We know the joy that comes with welcoming a tiny furry pup into your family; however, with a newborn pet comes new responsibilities. And the most important responsibility as a dog parent is being prepared with the right puppy essentials. These essentials will help you ensure that your four-legged angel feels comfortable in its new home. 
 

However, if this is your first time being a pet guardian, you might be nervous about getting the right items for your floof. You might even get overwhelmed with the items that you need to buy for the health and safety of your fur baby. Therefore, you must be prepared with all the essentials well in advance. Since this is your first time, you must also learn basic skills like how to pick up a puppy. After all, you don’t want to make your pooch uncomfortable.

 

How to pick up a puppy?

Puppies are cute and cuddly, which makes it impossible for new pet parents to not have the urge to pick and hold them at every instance. But before you rush to pick up the cuddly fur baby, you need to know how to pick a puppy in the correct way. Since its body is still developing, you must know how to hold your pooch without hurting its body. Given below are a few steps to follow for picking up a new puppy after bringing a puppy home. 

  1.  Step 1: Puppy’s body is fragile, so gently place one hand under the puppy’s rump, and the other hand under its chest.
  2. Step 2: Lift the pup with both arms. You can use this technique to lift small dogs. For larger dogs, wrap both arms around its legs, draw it to your chest, and lift.

Puppy essentials to get before your dog comes home

Before you bring home your dog, make sure you have all the things needed for the puppy at home. Welcome your little one by keeping the new puppy checklist ready:

  1. Premium pet food: Puppies need food that is specially formulated for their needs. Since these little angels need more calcium, phosphorous, fat, and protein, their foods contain more calories per bite. With IAMS™, you can rest assured that your little pooch receives right nutrients in right quantities for healthy growth and development. Moreover, our range of dog food is made with highest-quality ingredients for better digestibility. As compared to adult dogs, puppies need higher amounts of nutrients. However, thanks to their tiny tummies, they only eat little food per serving. Hence, at IAMS™, we make sure that your puppy receives maximum nutrition even in little quantities of food.
  2. Treats: There are two kinds of treats – healthy treats and training treats. Healthy treats include chews and dental snacks. Training treats are commonly used for teaching puppies to accept commands.
  3. Bedding: Every dog deserves comfortable bedding to snuggle in after a long session of being cute and adorable. Consider the size of your dog when buying a bedding. Also, get cushions and a blanket to keep it cozy and well-rested.
  4. Bowls: Food and water bowls are an important part of the list. Get at least one set of each according to the pup’s size and eating style. Use stainless steel bowls as they neither break easily nor absorb odor.
  5. Puppy crates: Handy crates are great options while travelling or driving with your pup. Get a crate according to the size of your dog. Buying airline-approved crates is better as it makes travelling easy. Its scent in the crate will provide comfort and a sense of security during stressful times.
  6. Clothing: Select the best pair of clothing for the puppy’s first day in its new home. Get a fit jumper to prevent the dog from getting cold. You can get protective clothing for long-haired dogs to keep them dry and clean during winter. Make sure the clothing does not irritate the dog.
  7. Collar and leash: Choose the right collar and leash to help your pup move around freely without any discomfort. Pick an adjustable 'breakaway' collar made with plastic clips that will unsnap in case your puppy gets stuck up on something. Select collars with two fingers of adjustable space to the growing size of your dog. A nylon leash of 6-feet that is around ½ to ¾ inch wide should work well.
  8. Toys: To keep your puppy entertained for long hours, get chew toys, snuggle toys, and puzzle toys. These toys will also keep them mentally active and fresh. Do not get small toys that pose a risk of swallowing or harm.
  9. Poop bags and holder: You wouldn’t want your puppy to take all the blame for roadside poo, right? Using a poop bag and holder for cleaning after the dog has pooped in a public place is a civil duty of every pet parent. Hence, you should get a poop bag and holder to pick up its excrement.
  10. Grooming equipment: Put together a little grooming bag for your dog. Include items like dog shampoo, brushes and combs, nail clippers, dog toothpaste and toothbrush, stain remover etc. for cleaning.
  11. Identification tag: Make cute IDs for your pup that attach to their collar with your information. Mention your pup’s name, your name, your phone number, and your veterinarian’s phone number. 
  12. Fencing: Another element that makes to the list of puppy essentials is fences and gates. After all, you don’t want the dog to run or be disturbed. There are several types of fences – privacy fencing, chain link, kennels etc. If you have little children, make sure you get the fencing done to safeguard them from each other.

 

Things needed for the puppy to feel cozy in the new place

You need to arrange for a few things as your puppy is cozying up at the new place. The following are a few things you can do to make your puppy feel at home in its new abode:

  1. Step 1: On the puppy’s first day at home, make a designated potty area for it. Installing a peeing pad is suggested. If the puppy pees in the right spot, make sure to offer a treat to it. Follow the same steps for potty training.
  2. Step 2: Keep the puppy’s crate and bedding in one specific place. If possible, create this area away from the usual commotion so that the puppy gets to rest in peace without getting distressed at least during the initial days.
  3. Step 3: Allow the fur baby to explore its new home and get familiar with its surroundings. Puppy-proof the house to avoid any possible accidents around sharp corners and slippery floors.
  4. Step 4: Introduce everyone to the new member on the puppy’s first day. Invite it to play without annoying or stressing it. Puppies are ideally very excited and will try to mingle with everyone around. However, if it tries to hide, then allow it some alone time. Offer treats and pet it to try and ease the new fur baby in its new home.

Cozying up new puppy to children

Ideally, take your kids along when adopting a puppy. This way, the children will feel more connected to the newest addition to the family. Once you get the puppy home, it is natural that your kids will want to play with the new family member. However, don't let them play together for longer durations as both puppies and babies need a lot of rest. Limit puppy-children play sessions to a maximum of 15 to 30 minutes twice or thrice a day. However, you should constantly observe them as both kids and puppies need constant guidance for safety.

 

Introducing new puppy to other pets

Puppies are curious and clueless. They need constant observation to avoid accidents and clashes. You need to be vigilant and alert when introducing your new puppy to other pets. It is best to introduce the puppy to other pets once they have settled in the new place. Take the puppy to the senior dogs and allow them to mingle. Do not worry if they sniff or lick each other as it’s a normal way of greeting. However, you might need to intervene if they start biting or barking at each other.
 

Although bringing a puppy home is a joyous occasion, do not forget to get all the puppy essentials to welcome it to its new home. Make a new puppy checklist consisting of all the essential items that you need to get for the fur baby. Food, grooming kit, bedding, and treats are some of the most essential things you need to arrange for the new fur baby. However, along with arranging for materialistic things, you also need to create a safe, secure, and nurturing environment for your dog to grow in.

Frequently asked questions

  1. Why does a puppy need a checklist?
  2. New puppy checklist is important to keep a track of essential items that you should buy before the pup comes home. This checklist covers all important things ranging from food, leashes, crates, and more.

  3. What do puppies need the most?
  4. There are many things needed for a puppy from time to time. Along with nutritious food, rest, and regular training, they also need a secure and enriching environment to grow in.

  5. Where should a puppy sleep on its first night home?
  6. On your puppy’s first night home, it should sleep in a dog crate. Add blankets and cushions to ensure that the crate is cozy.

  • Common Questions about Feeding Your Dog
    Common Questions about Feeding Your Dog
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    Common Questions & Tips About Feeding Dogs

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    Giving your dog the right nutrients and a complete, balanced diet does not have to be a head-scratcher. All you need to know is what can dogs eat, how much to feed your dog or puppy, how to feed dogs, how many times to feed a dog, how to handle treats and supplements, etc. And this article tries to answer commonly asked questions on dog feeding.

    1. How do I decide what to feed my dog?

          When deciding which dog food is right for your pet, consider these three factors: 

    • Your dog’s life stage (Whether your dog is a puppy, an adult, or a senior)
    • Lifestyle (How active your dog is)
    • Condition (Overall health and body weight of your dog)  

     

    1. How many times should I feed a dog?

    Puppies should be fed three times a day from weaning (3 to 6 weeks) to 4 months of age. After 4 months, they should be fed twice a day. Most dogs should continue to be fed twice a day throughout their life, although some pets do well with one feeding.

     

    1. How much should I feed my dog?

    The answer to this question depends on your dog’s age, size, and activity level. Feeding guidelines, which list the daily-recommended portion, are included on all IAMS™ packages. Start feeding your dog with this amount and adjust according to its needs. Remember to divide the portion accordingly if you feed more than once a day.

     

    1. How much should I feed a puppy?

    The amount of food you need to feed your puppy depends on 3 main factors — breed, weight, and age. However, you can look at this puppy feeding table that we recommend for puppies:


     

    Puppy

    Adult Target Weight (KG)

    Recommended Daily Feeding (g/day)

                                                    <3 months         3-6 months      6-9 months      9-12 months        12-18 months

    Toy breed

    1-3

    15-72

    32-83

    37-83

       
     

    3-5

    33-106

    72-121

    83-121

       
     

    Small breed (25-50)

    5-8

    48-151

    106-172

    111-172

    111-170

    Transition to IAMS™ Proactive Health™ Adult Dog Food

     

    8-10

    69-178

    151-204

    170-204

    170-201

     
     

    Medium breed

    10-20

    82-299

    178-343

    201-343

    201-339

     
     

    20-25

    137-346

    339-404

    339-404

    339-404

     
     

    Large breed

    25-40

    136-492

    346-575

    404-575

    396-575

    396-563

     

    40-50

    191-509

    493-675

    575-681

    563-681

    553-676

     

    This diet contains 390 kilocalories of metabolizable energy (ME) per 100 gms. Remember to have clean, fresh water available for your dog always.

     

    1. When should I switch puppy to adult dog food diet? 

    You should not change your puppy’s food to adult abruptly. Giving your pet time to acclimatize to the new taste of adult food is very important. Also, if you suddenly switch your pup’s food, it can cause digestive problems. Go through this schedule that will help you understand how much to feed your dog and transition your dog’s diet from puppy food to adult food:

    • Day 1 – Add 75% puppy food and mix 25% adult food in your dog’s plate. 
    • Day 2 – Add both foods in equal quantities i.e. 50% puppy food and 50% adult food.
    • Day 3 – Increase the quantity of adult food to 75% and bring down the quantity of puppy food to 25%.
    • Day 4 – Fully transition to adult dog food.  

     

    If you are wondering how much to feed your puppy by weight and age, check out the weight and age-wise breakdown on when to transition your puppy’s diet to adult food: 

     

    Weight Range

    Age to Begin Transition

    Small breeds that weigh < 9.07 kgs 

    9 and 12 months of age

    Medium breeds that weigh between 9.07 and 22.6 kgs

    12 to 14months of age

    Large breeds that weigh more than 22.6 kgs

    12 to 24 months of age

     

    1. When should I switch my dog to senior food?

    While transitioning from adult dog food to senior dog food, it is important to factor in your dog’s weight. Look at this weight table to know when to transition your dog’s food from adult to senior:

    Weight Range

    Age to Begin Transition

    More than 40.8 kgs

    5 years

    23.1 to 40.8 kgs

    6 years

    9.5 to 23.150 kgs

    7 years

    Up to 9.07 kgs

    7 years

     

      

    1. What is the best way to introduce a new diet to my dog?

    When changing your dog’s food diet, it’s important to slowly introduce new food. Start by offering your dog’s daily portion in a ratio of 25% new food to 75% current food. During the next three days, gradually increase the amount of new food and decrease the amount of the old food.

     

    1. What to feed my dog if they are overweight?

    If your dog has gained unhealthy weight, make sure to cut down on fats along with increasing regular exercise. We recommend you browse through IAMS™ products and choose dog foods that are low on fat. How much food to feed your dog if they are overweight is another major concern. You can consult your vet to understand the right amount of food your furry friend needs for each meal.

     

     

    1. What should I feed my pregnant or nursing dog?

    It’s important to understand that your dog’s nutritional needs change during pregnancy and ensure you feed her nutrition-rich food. For pregnant dogs, we recommend IAMS™ Puppy food as it’s full of proteins that can help your pregnant dog during the gestation period and improve the quality of milk to nourish her puppies post-delivery.

     

    1. Is it necessary to feed both wet and dry food?

    Wet food is an excellent treat that can be fed alone or mixed with dry food. Although IAMS wet dog foods are nutritionally complete and balanced, it is not necessary to offer wet food at every feeding. Our dry foods are formulated with high-quality protein sources such as chicken and contain all the essential nutrients pets need. The crunchy texture of dry food also promotes healthy teeth and gums, and aids in overall good oral hygiene. In addition, some of our dry dog foods contain a dental enhancement to help block tartar buildup on teeth during and after meals.










     

     






     

    1. Will my dog be bored eating the same food all the time?

    No. Unlike humans, dogs have fewer taste receptors. Hence, they won’t feel the urge to eat something different every day. In fact, if you find something that suits your dog’s overall health and preferences, stick to that food.

     

    1.  Is it all right to moisten dry food? 

    Soaking dry food will ease up the initial job of the digestive enzymes. While water will not change its nutritional value, the food should be eaten relatively soon. Moreover, ensure that the leftover portion is discarded to avoid spoilage. We recommend providing your dog with IAMS™ dry food because it is beneficial to your dog’s dental health as well.

     

    1. Will it hurt my dog if they eat my cat’s food? 

    No. Cats and dogs have different nutritional requirements. Moreover, cat foods are made with higher fat levels, which can be harmful to a dog. While it is okay for dogs and cats to sniff and lick some food from each other’s bowl, you shouldn’t let dogs eat cat food.

     

    1. How many biscuits can I feed my dog each day? 

    We recommend feeding your dog approximately two to four small biscuits per cup of food. Keep in mind that when you add biscuits to your dog’s daily diet, this increases its daily calorie intake, so you should reduce the amount of food you feed. Check the calorie content of the biscuit since biscuits vary in size and formulation.

     

    1. Can I supplement my dog foods with vitamins, minerals, oils, etc.? 

    Since IAMS™ dog foods are nutritionally complete and balanced,  adding more vitamins, minerals or oils can disrupt the balanceour dog food provides. The reason why you provide your dog with a high-quality product is that it has been developed to offer nourishment in proper ratios and ensure optimal nutrition. Hence, nothing needs to be added.

     

    1. Why does my dog need to eat protein? 

    Protein is one of the essential elements that should be a part of your dog’s diet. Including protein in your dog’s diet will strengthen its muscles, ligaments, and cartilages. A protein-rich food also brings about a healthy shine to your dog’s coat! 

     

    1. Why should one maintain a feeding schedule for dogs? 

    It is important to maintain a feeding schedule for dogs so that they are conditioned to expect food at that time and avoid irregular snacking in between.

     

    1.  What are the things a dog dannot eat? 

    You should never feed your dog home-baked goods, candy, gum, chocolate, limes, onion, and grapes. They can harm your dog’s digestive tract and cause infections as well.

     

    1. Why should you feed IAMS™ dog food over homecooked food?  

    IAMS™ dog food is full of key nutrients that your dog needs for its healthy growth. The basic ingredients in our food include chicken, fish oil, beet pulp, wholesome grains, and natural prebiotic.

     

    1. How can I learn more about pet nutrition?  

    Follow our blogs to know more about pet nutrition & and dog food diet. Feel free to contact us here in case of any queries.