Best Care Tips For Your New Puppy
You've just added a sweet little bundle of joy to your family. A new puppy! There are endless hopes and dreams that he will bring you joy and happiness for many years to come. This all starts with a healthy beginning so he has a solid foundation to grow upon. In order to do this, you'll need to institute the proper care and this starts with a few simple steps. Here are some important care tips that you can get started with.
A Complete Health Checkup
The first thing you need to do after you bring your puppy home is set up an appointment with a reputable veterinarian. He will conduct a physical exam to check for any deformities as well as any skeletal or skin issues. From there, the vet will recommend getting started on the right vaccinations. This includes distemper, parvovirus, rabies, and hepatitis. Your puppy may also have to give a fecal stool sample to check for roundworms. This may also be a good time to discuss tick and flea prevention. Other topics may include an upcoming spay or neuter as well as micro-chipping.
The Right Nutrition
Nutrition is one of the core fundamentals of dog care. You can discuss what type of diet your puppy should be on with your veterinarian. Sometimes, depending on the breed of your dog, his nutritional needs may be different. Or if he has underlying health issues or allergies, a special prescription diet may be recommended. Choosing food with a good balance of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats is a good start. Balanced vitamins and minerals is also important.
Grooming Care
Just like health care and nutritional maintenance is important for your new puppy, so is keeping up with his appearance and hygiene. Some dogs, like Yorkies and Pomeranians, have longer hair and it needs to be brushed on almost a daily basis. Making sure you have the right tools to de-tangle and brush their hair is important. You may want to set up routine visits with a local groomer to make sure that their coat doesn't get matted. Many dog breeds have sensitive skin, so be sure to use a natural shampoo and conditioner when cleaning them up. If you notice any changes in their skin, such as sores or irritation, be sure to bring it up with your vet at the next visit.
There are a lot of things to consider before and after you bring home your new puppy. You want your little bundle of fur to have the best life possible. Now it's time to sit back and have some fun building those memories together!
To learn more about how to keep your puppy healthy, contact a local veterinary clinic such as Murrells Inlet Veterinary Hospital.