Bringing a canine companion home is an extremely exciting process. But you do need to remember that your new puppy isn’t a toy – your pooch is a living being with wants and needs. So, you need to ensure that you meet these requirements to the best of your ability.
Here are a few areas that you should bear in mind!
Veterinary Treatment
There will be plenty of things going through your mind when you first take your little bundle of fluff home, but finding a local vets for your new puppy is one of the first steps you should take.
Your pup is going to need all sorts of treatments and procedures in the first few months of their life to ensure that they have strong immune systems, are identifiable, and to keep potential illness or conditions at bay. To tick all of these boxes, any puppy will require thorough check ups that include vaccinations, worming, flea treatments, and microchipping. You may also want to consider having your pet neutered. For female dogs, neutering promotes a longer and healthier life, preventing uterine infections, and breast tumours. She also won’t go into heat. For male dogs, neutering helps to prevent testicular cancer and some prostate problems. It also becomes less likely that they will stray from home looking for a mate. Once all of this is complete, your pooch should be happy and healthy. You will also have established a trusting bond with your veterinarian should you need to return for treatment of later illnesses or injuries.
Insurance
As you can see, veterinary care is going to play a large role in your pup’s life. So you need to ensure that you have a firm insurance policy in place that will help you to cover any unexpected costs down the line. This will guarantee that your pet can always have the best quality treatment should they need it.
Treats and Toys
Dogs need entertaining and variety in their diet. This is why it’s so important that you provide them with regular treats and toys. Remember that treats should only be complementary to your dog’s usual diet. They should never replace your pet’s basic food and puppies needs are different to those of a full grown dog, so only feed them treats specially formulated for puppies. Choose high-quality treats where possible – this will ensure that your dog is consuming the highest quality ingredients possible, rather than filler or unhealthy options that are the equivalent of doggy junk food. You can experiment with different types of treats and you will soon realise which are your pooch’s personal favourites.
Toys are also a great way to keep your pup as happy as possible. They stimulate their mind and encourage play. Again, every pooch will have their individual favourites. Some dogs will like playing with balls, others will prefer pull ropes, while some will be content with a cuddly teddy bear to carry around. Try to purchase toys that are specifically designed with dogs in mind, as they will tend to be a little more durable and will be made of materials that won’t hurt or damage their mouth.These are just a few different areas to focus on, but each will help to ensure that your pup is happy and healthy at all times!
*collaborative post
