For many people, getting a puppy makes for a fun addition in the home with plenty of playfulness that is added to the household. Between playing fetch to spending time cuddling, a puppy can bring a large dose of love to its owners. According to Chicago Tribune, approximately 93 percent of pet owners accredit their pet’s health to their veterinarians and their relationship to the professionals. When preparing to raise the dog, there are a few important questions to ask your vet.
1. How Often Should the Puppy Eat?
Your puppy will need specific portions of food as it begins to grow and you may find that it has a few food allergies. Vets can help to suggest different brands or products that are safe for the pet’s health and will allow it to grow at a steady rate. Your vet will also be able to recommend clean and healthy products that are void of all fillers or animal by-products, which will prevent illnesses or diseases from developing later in life for the animal.
2. What Vaccines Should the Dog Get?
Vaccines are crucial for a pet’s health, especially when the pet has contact with other animals or spends time out in public. Ask about the different types of vaccines that your puppy should receive and discuss if he or she will be spending time at a local dog park or if you plan to board it. According to NBC, vaccines are available to avoid influenza outbreaks have recently occurred in the U.S.
3. How Can I Encourage Good Behavior?
Many people make the mistake of spoiling their pooch or allowing it to have full reign in the home without much discipline. If you’re a new puppy owner, it’s important to ask how you can effectively train the dog and encourage good behavior when it interacts with both children and adults. This can also work when trying to prevent the dog from chewing up furniture or shoes when it begins to teeth, which will likely occur at three to eight weeks of age.
4. How Can I Puppy-Proof My Home?
Although your new dog can pose as a threat to your couch cushions or end tables when they have an accident or begin to teeth, the home can also pose as a threat to your new pet. It’s important to puppy-proof your home, just as you would if there was a toddler living in the space. A vet will be able to inform you on areas that can be dangerous for the animal, particularly where electrical cords or toxins with household cleaning supplies are present. All of these items should be out of reach to protect your pet’s health by using baby gates on the entrances of specific rooms of the home or locks on cabinets. Your vet will also recommend not leaving the puppy unsupervised until they are fully trained to prevent accidents from occurring as they begin to develop.
5. When Should the Dog Get Neutered?
To avoid having to deal with the mess that comes with female dogs who are in heat and prevent having your pet become pregnant from another dog, it’s important to discuss when the animal should get neutered. According to Thrive Affordable Vet Care, “Your local vet will inform you of the numerous health benefits that comes with the procedure if you don’t plan on breeding the animal during their lifetime. You’ll likely be able to have the procedure performed as early as eight weeks of age for the puppy.”
