Puppy Care Guide

Puppies make adorable additions to the family, but do require specific love and care. Today, our Rochester vets discuss what you should know about raising a puppy, especially in its critical first year.

Caring for a Puppy

Raising a puppy is an exciting and adorable experience, but it is not without its difficulties. For first-time puppy owners, the task can be daunting, especially if you have no idea what you're getting yourself into. Our veterinarians at Stoney Pointe Pet Hospital hope to better prepare you for the experience so that your puppy grows up to be a happy, healthy, and well-behaved dog.

Puppies are very energetic as well as curious about everything going on around them. Puppy owners will need a lot of patience to keep them out of trouble, instruct them on acceptable behavior, and teach them about the world in a safe manner. 

Luckily, you will get some breaks throughout the day as puppies tend to sleep a lot. That being said, they don't always sleep through the night which can result in them whining and/or barking throughout the night due to being left alone.

Your pup will likely be motivated to chew on just about anything as their adult teeth come in, which can result in the not-so-cute destruction of items around the house. On the bright side, this behavior won't last too long as your pup will be all grown up by the time they turn a year old, as most of those types of puppy tendencies will be left behind.

Caring for a puppy is a big obligation and a large time investment. If you're thinking about getting a puppy, you should make sure you can have someone home with them at all times. This will allow you to let them out to go to the bathroom as well as monitor their behavior to ensure you can put an end to undesirable habits they may partake in if they were left alone.

Puppy-Proofing Your Home

No matter how hard you try, it is virtually impossible to provide your curious, energetic pup with around-the-clock supervision. To minimize the trouble your puppy can get into when you aren't around, you should puppy-proof your home before their homecoming. Secure electrical cords and move potentially toxic plants or substances, such as cleaning supplies and insecticides, out of reach.

It's a good idea to crawl through your home to get a puppy's-eye view of their surroundings. Remove anything they might be tempted to chew or swallow, and close off vents, pet doors, or any other openings that might allow them to become lost or stuck. Not only will this help keep them safe, but it will also ease your anxiety that your new pup is lost.

You must be prepared to begin house training your puppy as soon as you bring them home. If you intend to crate-train them, make sure your crate is ready to go. Line it with blankets or a dog bed to make it more comfortable, but make sure it's big enough for them to stand up, turn around, and lie down. Allow them to explore the crate on their own while gradually introducing them to it. Throwing in a toy or using treats can help entice them to come in. The more at ease they are with going into the crate, the easier training will be for both of you.

Puppy Diet

Puppies have different nutrient and energy needs than matured dogs. Look for some high-quality puppy food that is specially formulated to support puppy development and growth. The proper quantity of food depends on factors like age, size, and breed. It's a good idea to consult your veterinarian about how much and how often to feed your pup.

For some small breeds, it can be best to free-feed young pups to ensure they receive adequate nutrition. Toy and small breed dogs reach physical maturity faster than larger breeds and can be switched over to adult dog food and adult-sized portions between 9 and 12 months of age.

Larger breeds can take up to two years to mature physically and have different nutritional requirements than small breeds. They should be fed puppy food designed specifically for large breeds. Consult your veterinarian about the best time to transition your growing large breed dog to adult food. To avoid complications such as stomach bloat, they should be fed multiple meals per day in controlled portions.

When your pup is 6-12 weeks old, a good feeding structure would dictate they are fed 4 times a day. At 3-6 months, 3 meals a day should be provided. After 6 months and on, as your pup matures and grows into an adult dog, 2 meals a day will suffice.

What You'll Need

Your new puppy will require a lot of supplies that you should have prepared before bringing them home. Some supplies you will need include:

Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.

Are you looking to add a new puppy to your family? Contact our Rochester vets to give you more information, or to schedule your new companion an examination.