Welcoming a new puppy into your family is a heartwarming experience loaded with excitement and joy. However, beyond just puppy cuddles, it’s important to fulfill your role as a responsible puppy owner. To ensure the well-being, health, and happiness of your four-legged companion, let’s explore some key puppy care basics.
Naming Your New Companion
Before diving into the more intricate puppy care measures, let’s start with the fun part; choosing your puppy’s name. Remember, you will be using this name repeatedly for the next ten years or more, so, choose wisely. We recommend picking a name that flows and avoiding names that are too long, as it may confuse your puppy.
Preparing Your Puppy’s Home Environment
Once your puppy arrives home, they will need several key items as well as a safe, puppy-proof environment to play, sleep, and eat in. Giving your puppy free-roam of the house often leads to destructive behavior and hazards. As such, we recommend gating off a common area where your puppy can remain supervised and secure, such as the living room. Be sure to remove any hazardous items your puppy may be inclined to chew or play with, such as wires, decorations, and chemical cleaning products.
Choose a High-Quality Puppy Food
Puppies require a special diet that contributes to their growth and development. With so many brands and options available, it can be challenging to determine the best choice for your new companion. We recommend starting your research early. Read plenty of reviews and browse online to see what brands and types have the best ingredients to support a healthy, growing puppy. You may also ask your trusted veterinarian for recommendations to determine whether premium food, holistic blends, or a raw diet is in the best interest of your new puppy.
Planning Your Puppy’s Veterinary Care
Before getting a puppy, it’s important to recognize the healthcare demands of these little companions. Puppies require an initial check-up within days of arriving home. This check-up serves to ensure your puppy is healthy and allows your veterinarian to develop a personalized care plan, including immunizations, heartworm prevention, spaying, neutering, and other key healthcare factors.
To learn more about the puppy care essentials, reach out to your trusted veterinarian for more information today.
