Despite the challenges, Alexander Animal Hospital is here to help along the way with some puppy care tips.
Having a puppy is one of the most life-changing things you can do. You are adding a new member to your family who will bring you joy and love. When you add a puppy to your home, you sign up for a lifetime of responsibility that comes with unique care needs. Despite the difficulties, Alexander Animal Hospital is here to help along the way with some puppy care tips.
Find a Great Vet for Assistance
Establishing an excellent preventative health routine is one of the most crucial steps to ensuring your new puppy lives a fulfilling life. In addition, finding the right veterinarian you trust and who works with you is essential. They will help you learn more about how to best care for your canine. Besides helping you follow guidelines for vital vaccines, they can also assist in planning the spay or neuter timeline. They can also teach you what to watch out for. Like human babies, puppies are prone to disease, illness, and accidents. So, having a vet and wellness plan will keep them happy and healthy.
Nutrition Matters
A significant part of puppy care is knowing that not all dog food is developed equal. Puppies require different nutrients than adults to grow strong and must eat at a different schedule. Once your dog is at least six months of age, they can be on a two-meal daily. Before, your puppy should eat four times daily until they reach twelve weeks. Puppies should also have three meals daily from 3 to 6 months.
Also, your veterinarian might have suggestions for what will be the best food based on the dog’s breed you have and your background. For instance, fish-based diets can be an excellent option for dogs with a family history of allergies.
Establish Potty Training Habits
Potty training is the nightmare of all parents – dog or human. There will always be accidents, but establishing a schedule will help build excellent habits faster. So, positive reinforcement, a strong carpet cleaning plan, and patience are essential to the house-training battle.
Monitor Any Signs of Illness
Again, puppies are prone to illness like human babies, so knowing what signs to monitor can help you identify and treat problems quickly. For example, signs of coughing, nasal discharge, wheezing, difficulty breathing, swollen and weepy eyes, lack of appetite, vomiting, and poor weight gain indicate dangerous conditions for a puppy.
Build Those Skills
During your puppy care plan, teaching your pup to obey commands and socialize with others early ensures they are ready for training. While it might take a while for them to understand your requests, establishing good habits early is excellent for you and your dog. So, it’s critical to start working on manners and commands as soon as your puppy enters your care.
Support Your Pet’s Wellness at Alexander Animal Hospital
Alexander Animal Hospital is a full-service animal hospital located in Severna Park, Maryland, serving the Severna Park, Pasadena, and Arnold Areas. Our goal is educating clients on the needs of their pets and understanding the importance of individualized veterinary care in order to strengthen the human-animal bond between owners and their pets.
We understand you have a choice when deciding on the care for your pets, and we strive to provide you with unparalleled services including wellness exams, vaccines, lost pet microchip ID, dental care, surgical services, digital radiography, and in-hospital laboratory services and diagnostics. Other highlights of Alexander Animal Hospital are the separate cat and dog waiting and exam rooms, as well as after-hours on-call emergency services.
Please take a look around our website and then give us a call at 410-777-8678 to set up an appointment. We’re social! Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest for all the latest updates!