Category: Pet Health

When you first bring your new puppy home, he may not be in love with whatever food you offer him.  He’s likely used to whatever he was being fed at his previous home.  So when you’re feeding your new puppy, don’t be too alarmed if his appetite isn’t huge at first.  If you do know what kind of food he was being given, it is wise to slowly transition to a new food (if you’re changing his food).  By that I mean mixing a little of the new food with the old food – adding more of the new food each day until (after several days) you’re serving only the new food.  This article will provide you with all the information you need about the best way to feed a puppy.

Which Food is Best for Puppies?

Before we get into advice on proper puppy nutrition, I suggest you read my article, Best and Worst Foods for Your Pet. It gives great advice from a veterinarian about the different types of foods that are available, and which are best. Also, it’s important to know from the very beginning of being a dog owner what foods can be poisonous for your pet.  You can see a list in my article, Foods That are Poisonous for Dogs and Cats.

How Long Should I Feed Puppy Food?

You should be feeding puppy food for the first year, because puppy foods are specifically formulated to help them grow.  Things to consider when choosing a puppy food are:

Small bites.  Puppy baby teeth aren’t that strong, so puppies need small, not-too-hard food. Consider the size and breed of your dog when choosing what “size” his food should be.

Fresh food.  Fresh puppy foods are available at grocery stores and pet stores.  You can find them in refrigerated display cases.  They contain fresh meats, vegetables, and fruits.  This is super healthy for your dog.  A bit pricey- but worth it if you can afford it.

You should be feeding your pet the best quality food you can afford.  Whatever price range your pet food budget is in, pick the healthiest, best quality brand within that price range.

I strongly believe in serving a MOIST diet not only to puppies, but to adult dogs as well as kittens and cats.  Animals need moisture in their diet.  Serving only dry food can cause a whole host of health problems down the road.

Blue Homestyle Recipe Puppy Chicken Dinner

Here’s a recommendation for a healthy, natural, holistic canned puppy food. Canned food is cheaper if you buy it by the case – you can save money by purchasing it HERE. This brand has several flavors.  My mini doxy eats the adult and senior versions of this food and she loves it.  I like it because it’s more moist than other canned dog foods – less sticky and easier for them to swallow.

Canidae Puppy Food

Here’s a suggestion for dry puppy food.  I like this one because it’s grain free and has REAL food ingredients.  You’ll save money buying a larger bag HERE. Different flavors, plus smaller size bags are also available.

How Often Should I Feed My Puppy?

Puppies should have three meals a day until they’re about 4 or 5 months old.  After that, you can scale back to two meals a day.  Please don’t begin the habit of giving your poor dog one bowl of dry kibble every morning, and nothing else.  Puppies and adult dogs need fuel throughout their day just like we do!  Would you want to be served just one bowl of dry food per day?!  Whatever daily portion is suggested on the package for your dog’s weight, split that in half and serve half in the morning, then half at dinner time. Eating should be an enjoyable part of your pet’s life.  My dog, for example, loves that she’s included at dinner time.  We have our food, and she has hers.  She’s excited and looks forward to dinner each night.

Should I Give My Puppy Vitamins?

Pets benefit from taking a daily multivitamin just like people do.  Give a multivitamin specifically formulated for puppies for the first year, then an adult-dog multivitamin daily thereafter.

Pro-Sense Daily Vitamin Supplement

Here’s a recommendation for an inexpensive, good quality puppy multivitamin.  My dog likes these – they’re chewable (and I think beef flavored).  Click HERE to purchase.

What About Treats?

It’s important to consider what part treats play in your puppy’s daily diet.  First, you should be using treats to train your puppy – see my article, How to Train a Dog With Treats.  So you have to count those treats when you’re considering the amount of food he’s eating.  You don’t want your dog to end up with a weight problem because you’re feeding full servings of his food, plus treats – equaling too many calories by the end of the day.  Healthy ideas for treats are fresh, raw foods like vegetables (baby carrots are a big hit!), and fruits (my dachshund loves blueberries and oranges!) Please don’t buy those pre-packaged, soft treats.  Most contain ingredients that aren’t good for your dog – and some can be downright toxic.  Whole, real food. Stick with that, and you’ll be on the right track.

Don’t Forget About Water!

Most dogs will naturally go to their water dish and drink as often as they need to.  But some dogs, particularly puppies and senior dogs, can get distracted and literally forget to get a drink.  Monitor your pet to make sure he’s visiting the water dish often enough.  Proper hydration is crucial to his overall health and well-being.  Also remember to make sure water is available whenever you’re exercising your dog.  They get thirsty after exercise just like we do!  And of course always make sure your dog has access to plenty of water during hot weather.

Remember to Incorporate Exercise

Just as important as nutrition for the health of your dog, is exercise.  Exercise burns calories, keeps their muscles strong, and keeps them happy and active.  Remember puppies have a super high activity level.  They need you to give them plenty of opportunities for play each day.  Running around in the back yard, playing with the kids, going to the park.  Even tossing a tennis ball around in the living room will help if you don’t have a lot of time.  Getting on the floor to play with the dog has been a part of my life since I was a small child.  My dad would always get on the living room floor to “wrestle” with our German Shepherd.  My siblings and I would get on the floor and play with our Poodle.  I have a friend who regularly played, “Hide ‘n Seek” with his black lab!  Really roll up your sleeves and plunge into play with your dog. Believe me, you’ll be a healthier, happier person your entire life if you do this!

Questions, please!

If you have any question about puppy nutrition, please feel free to comment below (I’ll respond!)  Or, if you have more recommendations and ideas for taking care of our sweet pets, please share!  Debra

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Ideally, your puppy’s first vet visit should take place within the first few days after bringing your puppy home.  Once you’ve got him settled (refer to this article, Preparing for a New Puppy), get him acquainted with your family, get him squared away at home as far as food, water and food bowls, toys, a doggy bed to sleep in – it’s OK to take a few days to get all that accomplished.  But your puppy’s first vet visit should take place within the first week at most.

First Order of Business – the Cost

First, read this article, Help with Vet Bills. I strongly recommend doing two things as soon as you get your puppy:

Get Pet Insurance

If you get pet insurance right from the beginning, you will save thousands over your pet’s lifetime on vet bills. If you wait until the dog is diagnosed with an expensive disease, you may not be able to get pet insurance because it will be considered a “pre-existing illness.” Getting insurance for a puppy is inexpensive, and will pay off bigtime later in life when the dog’s medical expenses start adding up.  For more information, read my article, Is Pet Insurance Worth it For Dogs?

Get Care Credit

Signing up for CareCredit helps a lot too, because this is a credit card that is accepted by many veterinarians and there are little or no interest charges for a long time if you use it to pay vet bills.

*NOTE:  Make sure you check before your appointment to make sure the vet you’re choosing accepts your pet’s health insurance, and CareCredit if you choose to use these to pay.

Preparing for the Appointment

Bring Previous Medical Records. First, gather any previous records you may have relating to your puppy’s medical history to take with you to the appointment.  If, for example, you adopted your puppy from a local SPCA or shelter, they probably gave you paperwork regarding any shots the puppy may have received, the age and date of birth of the puppy, and breed information.

Get a Doggy Car Seat.  I strongly recommend purchasing some sort of car seat for your dog before you try to take him anywhere. I have this one for my miniature dachshund, Taz.  She likes it because she can sit high enough to see out the windows while we’re traveling.  Larger dogs can benefit from an auto harness (like a seat belt).  Never allow your dog to roam around the car freely while you’re driving.  It can cause an accident!  I once had a mini doxy, who had been comfortably relaxing on the back seat just a few seconds earlier, crawl under the driver’s seat and insert herself directly under my gas and brake pedals!  I almost cracked up the car!  And they can be distracting too.  It’s just dangerous – get them belted in just like a kid! 🙂

Tips for Making the Visit to the Vet Easier

By the time you get to the vet’s office, you might already be a little bit frazzled because you’ve just traveled by car with a puppy who was probably less than well behaved on the way! And your puppy (and you!) might be a little nervous. Sometimes the waiting room can be a little crazy, if it’s a busy day and the room is filled with several nervous pets and their owners. Here are some tips to make things run as smoothly as possible:

Arrive on time. If everyone arrives at their appointments on time, it will make the day’s schedule run much more smoothly for the doctors and staff – eliminating unnecessary wait time for everyone.

Make sure your puppy is on a leash. (I actually recommend a harness instead of a leash.  They are less of a choking hazard, make training the dog much easier, and prevent collapsed trachea issues later in life).

Don’t allow your puppy to approach other pets.  Even though your puppy might be excited to make new friends, the other pets in the room may not feel the same way.  Senior dogs, for example, often have no use for puppies and may snap.  Cats – well, do I even have to say it? – will scratch your puppy’s face and draw blood if they don’t want to be approached!  Not to mention the other animals may be there because they are ill – making it unpleasant to socialize, and also dangerous if the animal has something that is contagious.  Also, some owners have trouble controlling their pet in the waiting room at the vet’s office.  These owners won’t appreciate having to deal with your puppy’s advances as well. This rule applies to children also.  Don’t allow your kids to approach pets in the waiting room without first asking permission from the owner.

Let your puppy pee before entering the building.  The staff at vet’s office are most certainly ready, willing, capable, and used to cleaning up pet messes!  But preventing it makes it easier for everybody.  Also, your puppy will be a little more comfortable during the wait if he doesn’t have to go potty.

Don’t hesitate to say something if someone is bothering you or your puppy.  If other pets or children are invading your space, feel free to say something.  You might say something like, “He’s a little nervous – I think it would be best if we let him be.” If your puppy is particularly frightened or ill, ask the receptionist if you can wait in an available exam room instead of in the waiting room.

What to Expect at the Appointment

Your veterinarian will perform a physical exam on your puppy which will include looking into your puppy’s eyes and ears, and looking into his mouth to check his teeth.  He will listen to your puppy’s heart, and feel around on his belly and abdomen. Your puppy’s weight will also be taken and noted.

Questions You Might Like to Ask Your Vet

While your vet is performing the physical examination, feel free to ask questions.  Here are some suggestions:

How much does my puppy weigh? How much food should I be feeding him each day?

Do you see any problems or issues with my puppy’s health?

What should I be doing as far as grooming?  How often should I bathe my puppy? How often should I clean his ears?  Can I clip his nails at home? How do I do that, and how often?

Ask your vet about inserting a microchip – a tiny device injected under the puppy’s skin to help locate him if he should ever get lost.  These last for life.

 Deworming

Your vet will likely deworm your puppy at his first visit to prevent intestinal parasites like roundworms, hookworms and whipworms  This is important, as this can be a major health risk to puppies and some parasites can be transmitted to other animals – and humans!

 Vaccinations

Dogs are most susceptible to infectious, deadly diseases during the first 3 to 9 months.  Depending on your puppy’s age, he may have already gotten his first few shots already.  Make sure you show your vet any shot records you’ve been given by the puppy’s previous owner or shelter.

Vaccinations are usually recommended for all puppies.  These vaccines help to prevent infectious or even deadly diseases including hepatitis, distemper, parinfluenza, parvovirus, bordetella, lyme disease, coronavirus, giardia, and prophyromonas. Your veterinarian will be able to determine which vaccinations your puppy should receive.

You May Be Given Homework!

Your vet would likely agree that you should establish healthy habits right from the start regarding your puppy’s health.

Dental Care. Providing proper dental care for your puppy, for example, is something you should start when they are young so they won’t be afraid of getting their teeth brushed.  My elderly doxy will not allow me to brush her teeth.  I wish whoever owned her as a puppy would’ve started and maintained this practice – if they had, perhaps it could’ve prevented the THREE dental surgeries this poor little dog has had over the last few years.  She’s had to have so many teeth pulled due to decay, that she only has 12 teeth left.  🙁

Nail Clipping.  Puppies’ nails grow fast.  If nails aren’t trimmed on a regular basis (or of they don’t wear down naturally), they can cause pain, cut into the pads of their paws, or even break off.  I suggest reading this article, How to Trim Your Pet’s Nails.  Learning to do this yourself at home will save you a lot of trips to the vet for nail clippings, and save you a ton of money as well!  And just like with the dental care, it’s best to start early so they get used to having it done.

Prevention is Key

Taking our puppy to the vet regularly is the best way to 1) learn how to properly care for him and 2) prevent serious illnesses in the future.  I hope this article has helped.  Please comment below if you have any questions or would like to give more ideas and suggestions! Enjoy your new puppy!

We Donate to Animal Charities

Thank you for visiting my website.  I donate 10% of all commissions I make on this website to animal charities.  You can see a list of the charities I donate to here.  If you like this website, please share it with your friends – every purchase helps animals!

For more information about training your puppy, check out these articles!