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Bringing a furry friend home is one of the greatest things you will do. If you are someone who has been longing for a furry companion, you should wait no more... however, only if you are confident that you can take complete care of this four-legged angel. Puppies need love and care, so as their caregivers, you need to help them grow into happy and healthy dogs.
Stay by your pet’s side throughout its growing stage. This is that time of its life where you need to do more than just provide food, love, and fun times; you must understand dog nutrition, follow the vaccination schedule, and potty train your puppy. Sparing some time and energy to provide your pet with basic puppy care can help you build a loving relationship with your pooch. So, let us explore a few things you can look into while nurturing a puppy. This basic puppy care guide will also keep you informed with what to expect in the first few months of being a caregiver.
Wondering what to know about taking care of a puppy? Let us start with the most basic things like puppy proofing your house. That is right. Puppies and babies fall in the same category: delicate and fragile! You need to be careful about their surroundings and make sure that there is nothing hazardous around. Puppies are naturally curious. Make sure they do not encounter things like chemicals, electrical cords, harmful houseplants, valuables, and especially breakables. You also need to get necessary pup supplies like a feeding bowl, collar, leash, and more. Set up a cosy corner for your puppy to rest in!
Choosing the right puppy food is of paramount importance. You must pick out puppy food that is specifically formulated for growing puppies as it needs the right kind of nutrients to grow stronger. So, avoid adult dog food if your pet is still a pup.
Not sure when to make a switch to adult dog food? Well, it totally depends on the breed size. If you have a small or medium breed dog, you can switch to dog food once it turns 9 to 12 months old. If you have a large breed dog, continue feeding puppy food until it turns 12 to 24 months old. Apart from that, make sure your pup always has access to fresh and clean water!
This is what a typical puppy feeding schedule would look like:
At IAMS™, we offer a range of puppy as well as adult dog food that nourishes your furry friend with vitamins, minerals, proteins, and other essential nutrients. Our products are made with premium-quality ingredients to ensure that your dog enjoys every bite of its food.
Taking your furry friend to the vet is the most important part of taking care of a puppy. Your dog’s first visit to the vet will help you learn about your dog’s overall physical health. Vet visits will also keep you informed about the vaccination schedule. In fact, it is recommended to make a list of all questions that you may have. This list should include topics like:
Puppies should meet a variety of different people, dogs, objects, and situations – all in a positive way. The most important time for pups to socialize is between three and 12 weeks of age, however, it should continue throughout a puppy’s development. As pet parents, you can take your pooch to puppy classes as it provides a great opportunity to socialise puppies.
You can get started with potty training from the day one. This will help inculcate basic bathroom manners in your dog and will save you from cleaning the floor every time your pooch excretes. So, pick a bathroom spot outside your house and take your pup to the same place whenever it is potty time. Praise it right after it is done. You can also reward it with treats. However, under no circumstances must a puppy be yelled at since it may ignite fear.
The best way to train is to reward good behaviour and ignore unwanted behaviour. It is never too early to begin training a puppy, but owners must remember that very young puppies become tired or distracted easily so training sessions should be kept to a short duration.
Dogs are prone to losing tooth, bad breath, and periodontal diseases. Moreover, they are good at hiding their dental pain. Hence, owners should introduce some form of oral care for their puppy as early as possible. Consult your vet to ensure that you pick the best dental care option for your pooch.
Amounts of exercise should be controlled for puppies during growth. They should not be forced to exercise beyond the amount of time they would engage in with another puppy of the same age. Moreover, your furry friend must be allowed to rest when they need to. So, instead of offering a one long playtime period, go for two short walks.
Every first-time dog parent must know the following tips to take care of a puppy:
Puppies are full of energy. And they can drive you crazy if their energy isn’t utilized. Hence, make sure that you train and exercise with your baby dog every day. Go for walks, play fetch, and praise it for good behavior. This will condition your puppy to think that good behavior is rewarded.
Dogs do not know how to live in a house. As dog parents, we need to teach them some basic manners. Start by teaching your pet its name and then move on to potty training. Dogs are social beings; hence, do not forget to teach your dog to stay calm and polite in public places.
Rabies is one of the most serious health risks every pet parent must be aware of. In puppies primarily, this disease can manifest itself in particularly severe forms and often goes undiagnosed until it has already progressed to its later stages. Understanding the signs and symptoms of rabies in puppies can help you act as quickly as possible if your beloved pup ever becomes infected with this potentially fatal virus. Please continue reading to learn more about what rabies is, how it presents itself on a physical level, and which treatments may help save the lives of affected puppies.
Rabies is a viral infection that affects the nervous system of animals, including humans. It is transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal, usually through a bite or scratch. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle spasms, and paralysis. If left untreated, it can lead to coma and death. Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent rabies.
Puppies can contract rabies just like any other animal, but they are generally not at high risk for it unless they are exposed to a rabid animal or live in an area where rabies is prevalent.
It is important to be aware of the signs of rabies in puppies so that you can take the necessary steps to protect your furry friend from this lethal virus. Some of the most common symptoms of rabies in puppies include:
These behavioral changes are often the first sign that rabies may be present in a puppy. Caregivers should watch for any aggressive behaviors or if their normally outgoing puppy appears withdrawn or unusually timid.
Suppose a puppy begins to lose its appetite or has trouble drinking water. In that case, this can indicate that it is infected with rabies.
Rabies can make a puppy appear disoriented and cause them to stumble when they walk.
A puppy infected with rabies may have difficulty controlling its muscles and suffer from paralysis in some areas of the body.
This is one of the more noticeable signs of rabies in puppies and is caused by the virus paralyzing the muscles controlling swallowing.
Puppies infected with rabies may make different sounds when barking or growling, such as a higher-pitched tone or a more strained voice quality.
Puppies with rabies may be overly fearful of water, even if they usually enjoy swimming or walking by the river.
Rabies can cause violent tremors and seizures, which can indicate the virus.
A puppy infected with rabies may have difficulty breathing as well as experience a choking sensation.
Rabies is a fatal virus that can cause the nervous system's deterioration, leading to death in some cases.
Pet owners must be aware of these signs of rabies in puppies, so they can seek immediate medical attention if their pet shows any of the symptoms listed above.
Several factors can contribute to rabies in puppies, such as:
Rabies is a viral infection that can be transmitted through the bite of an infected animal such as a bat, raccoon, skunk, or fox. Scratches from an infected animal too can cause rabies.
Rabies can also be transmitted through contact with an infected animal's saliva such as through a lick from an infected animal.
Occasionally, rabies can be transmitted from an infected mother to her puppies before or during birth.
Puppies that have not been vaccinated against rabies are at higher risk of contracting the disease.
Poorly maintained or unsanitary living conditions can increase the risk of puppies contracting rabies.
It is essential to get your puppy vaccinated against rabies as soon as possible. This disease can be fatal if not treated promptly and can also be transmitted to humans.
To prevent rabies, your puppy should receive a series of vaccinations at the following ages:
It is also important to keep your puppy up to date on all other vaccinations, including those for distemper, parvovirus, and hepatitis.
Before vaccinating your puppy, check with your veterinarian to determine the best vaccination schedule. Your veterinarian will also be able to provide you with more information on the risks and benefits of vaccination.
While vaccination is the ultimate prevention for your puppy, here are a few additional steps you can take to keep rabies at bay:
Rabies can be transmitted through bites or scratches from infected animals. Therefore, it is important to keep puppies away from wild animals, especially stray dogs and cats.
This will help prevent them from coming into contact with wild animals and other dogs infected with rabies.
Symptoms of rabies in puppies include lethargy, fever, loss of appetite, and changes in behavior. If any of these symptoms are observed, it is crucial to contact a veterinarian immediately for further evaluation and treatment.
This will prevent them from coming into contact with wild animals and other dogs infected with rabies. If you must take puppies outside, supervise them closely and keep them on a leash.
Although rare, the possibility is real. To protect against this potentially fatal virus and quell any worries you may have, get your furry friend vaccinated with a rabies shot as soon as possible! If you are still concerned about their health after the vaccine, don't hesitate to consult a trusted veterinarian for advice.
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