Puppy Care 101

Puppy Care

Puppy care can be a lot of work, but is also quite rewarding. This article should answer a lot of your questions you might have about your new puppy, or the puppy you are thinking about getting. Here we cover the basics you need to know.

Feeding

Most people will have received their puppy after they are weaned. But if you actually need to wean your puppy, starting at about 2-3 weeks of age your puppy should start to eat solid food. Offer the puppies solid food at least three times a day. You can start by offering dry puppy food mixed with some warm water to soften it.

When the puppy reaches about 12 weeks of age, slowly start feeding dry puppy food only twice a day. Only offer the food for about 15 minutes and then take the dish away, to train the dog for eating twice a day. Between 6-9 months of age start mixing puppy food with an adult dog food over the course of a month.

The dry food should be specially formulated for puppies. If you have a large breed puppy feed a large breed formula. But be careful not to over feed large breed dogs. If you do they are more prone to joint and bone problems. Also stay away from a lot of extra treats, and be careful not to over feed your puppy over 6 months of age to prevent obesity.

Vaccines

Vaccinating your puppy is the basis of good puppy care. Vaccines help reduce the risk of you puppy acquiring diseases like parvovirus, distemper, kennel cough, and rabies. Vaccines are given when puppies reach 6-8 weeks of age and are given every 2-4 weeks until the puppy reaches 16-20 weeks of age. Boosters are then needed every one to three years. There are many different vaccine schedules your veterinarian might use. For example you puppy might receive shots at the following ages: 6, 9, 12, and 15 weeks of age.

Puppies are usually vaccinated against: Distemper, Adenovirus (hepatitis), Parvovirus, and Parainfluenza. All of these vaccines are usually combined in one vaccine typically referred to as "the distemper shot." Also depending on where you live, you may also need vaccines against Coronavirus, Giardia, Lyme disease, Leptospirosis, and Bordetella. Also Rabies is needed as well. Usually at sixteen weeks of age, and then boostered a year later, and then boostered one to three years later depending on the local laws and regulations. Rabies vaccine is the only vaccine that you must absolutely get for your dog. Only a veterinarian is licensed to administer rabies vaccine.

Parasites

1. Heartworm prevention Most puppies should be started on a heartworm preventative at least by two months of age. And now in most areas of the United States, it is recommended that heartworm preventative be given all year long, although the risk of getting heartworms is still greatest in the summer months.

Heartworm preventative is usually given monthly in the form of a chewable tablet. The most popular brands are Heartgard and Interceptor. It is important the you give this tablet every month and if you miss a month, to tell your veterinarian.

2. Intestinal Parasites (Worms) It is important that you get your puppy dewormed. Roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, coccidian, and giardia are the most common parasites that can affect your puppy. It is recommended that you have a fecal done on your pet, and then yearly after that.

Deworming medication is commonly placed in heartworm medication these days, these include Heartgard plus and Interceptor. Intestinal parasites can cause diarrhea, weight loss, and death. Tapeworms often found around the anus of your puppy. They look like grains of white rice. These are the egg filled segments of the tapeworm.

3. Fleas and Ticks Most flea products these days are also effective against ticks as well as fleas. The most popular of these is Frontline. It is a medication that is applied once a month to help prevent fleas and ticks. It is a liquid product applied topically to the skin between the shoulder blades.

Grooming

Grooming is also a part of good puppy care. All pets need some degree of grooming. It is an important part of taking care of your new puppy. By starting to brush and bath your puppy while they are young, they will grow accustomed to the contact as they grow up.

Exercise and Training

It is important for you to provide plenty of space for your puppy to run and exercise. Also, now is the right time to begin training your puppy to help avoid unwanted behaviors. Also be sure to avoid taking your puppy to dog parks until after they have had their full series of vaccines.

If you take the time to learn about proper puppy care, you soon will have a healthy happy dog. Take the time to ask lots of question when you see your Veterinarian. They are the best source for puppy care and health information.

Find out what additional steps you can take to help your puppy at http://www.free-online-veterinarian-advice.com

You can submit a question to the veterinarian by clicking here http://www.free-online-veterinari an-advice.com/askavet.html

Chris Suckow, DVM, currently lives and works in Los Angeles.

---

Things To Think About Before You Buy A Pet Bird

While a bird is an easy pet to care for,... Read More

How To Recognize A Respiratory Tract Ailment In Your Parrot

A respiratory tract ailment can be fatal to your parrot... Read More

Does Your Dog Need Puppy Prozac?

Is your dog up to dirty no good again? Did... Read More

*Understanding* - The First Of The 6 Keys To Building A Life Long Partnership With Your Horse

Yesterday we talked a little about the 6 Keys for... Read More

Why Should I Adopt A Pet

Over the past couple of years, animal rescues have been... Read More

3 Tips For Dealing With Dog Emergencies

Have you ever thought about what you need to do... Read More

Essential Fatty Acids for Parrots

You may be hearing more talk these days about "Essential... Read More

GPS Pet Tracking

If you have a dog or cat that is an... Read More

Puppy Vaccines Assure Wagging Tails and Wet Noses

When you get a new puppy it is imperative that... Read More

What You Should Never Feed Your Dog

Unfortunately, there are a number of household items which we... Read More

Train Your Buddy To ?Walk? & ?Dance? - Warning: Not All Dogs Can Do It!

Standing and walking on the hind legs are tricks that... Read More

Round Pen: The Great Equalizer

Although many horsemen and trainers extol the virtues of the... Read More

You Should Teach Your Puppy Proper Chewing Behavior

As much as you may love your cute, new puppy,... Read More

Lemon Tetra - A Perfect Addition for Your Community Aquarium

Lemon TetraGlassily transparent, the lemon tetra (hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis) could appear... Read More

Tips on Easy House Breaking Your Puppy

If you are lucky enough to get a 7-week-old puppy,... Read More

7 Good Reasons for Playing With Your Cat

Playing reinforces the bond between you and your cat.Playing with... Read More

5 Tips For Feeding A Happy, Healthy Dog

Do you really know all there is to know about... Read More

Puppies, Kittens, Rabbits, Hamsters, Fish Tanks, Exotic Pets and Bird Houses!

Pet's, any kind of pet can be a welcome addition... Read More

Discover: How to Prevent Dog Bites Case

Of all the aggressive behavior in dogs dog bites is... Read More

Kittens Are Just The Cutest Things

Is there anything more cute and cuddly than tiny little... Read More

Training Collars: Teaching Your Dog Basic Obedience and Breaking Bad Habits

Training CollarsTraining collars are a tool many pet owners utilize... Read More

How To Care For your Pet Dog

He will be there by your side, as your loving... Read More

Humming Birds Make Wonderful Pets

Humming birds are wonderful birds that are smart, playful, and... Read More

No, No, No! Drop It, Drop It! Give It To Me Now!

Puppies can be so exasperating! They know what we want,... Read More

Water Chemistry For The Discus Tank

Much has been written about the Discus, or Symphysodon aequifasciatus,... Read More

Why Build Your Own Reptile Cage?

When I first started my interest in reptiles I was... Read More

Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD)

What is Canine Hip Dysplasia?Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD) is a... Read More

The Story Of My Amazing Dog Shandy

This is the story of my dog called Shandy. He... Read More

A Healthy Cat Knows What Tastes Good...

As all cat owners know, a feline can be a... Read More

Cushings Disease

As our horses enjoy a longer life and many live... Read More

Dog Health Conditions and Terms You Should Know... Part 2

Cryptorchidism is peculiar to male dogs and a condition present... Read More

How To Grow Daphnia For The Aquarium

The benefits of feeding live food to fish in a... Read More

Can Your Pet Stomach This?

Can Your Dog Stomach This?There's an old adage that says... Read More