From vaccinations through to basic training, the first few months of puppyhood can certainly be action-packed! Here’s our guide to help you give your puppy the best possible start in life with everything you need to know about how to look after a puppy...
New Puppy Care Equipment Checklist
To make sure your new buddy is as comfortable, secure and cosy as possible, here are the items that should be on your essential kit list. Get hold of these before your puppy arrives - as you’ll need many of them from day one...
- Bedding. The bed needs to be big enough for your pup to grow into. Sometimes they’ll curl up in their sleep; other times they stretch right out. So make sure it has enough room and support for them to sleep in all positions. Tip: opt for specialist, machine-washable pet bedding (Vetbed, for instance) as it’s easier to keep the bedding area dry, warm and hygienic.
- Food bowls. They’ll need separate bowls for water and food. Always make sure your new pup has fresh water that they can reach whenever they want to.
- Collar and leash. Get an adjustable collar, suitable for the breed. Pups can grow quickly, so you’ll need to check for sizing at least a couple of times a week. There should always be just enough space to fit two fingers between the inside and of the collar and your puppy’s neck. The lead should be long enough to give your pup some freedom to explore, but short enough for you to pull him out of harm’s way.
- Puppy crate. The crate can double as a useful tool for house training and a den or safe place for when they get stressed. It can also be handy as a travel carriage. It can also be handy as a travel carriage. Read more about crate training and choosing a crate here.
- Grooming equipment. For dogs with a short, smooth coat (Chihuahuas and Pugs, for instance), you’ll need a soft to medium bristle brush. For Spaniels, Golden Retrievers and other dogs with coats that are prone to matting, you’ll need a medium to wide-spaced bristle brush, along with a slicker brush for dealing with tangles. If your dog breed is prone to seasonal moulting in spring and late autumn, a de-shedding brush is useful for picking up loose hair. Dog toothpaste, toothbrush, shampoo and nail clippers should also be on your list.
- Toys. Chew toys provide comfort and allow your pup to exercise their jaw, while helping to keep their teeth clean. Balls on ropes, frisbees and squeakers are great for mental stimulation, a workout - and fun!
How to Puppy-Proof Your Home
Here’s how to create the right environment for your pup to explore in safety…
- If it can be swallowed, keep it out of reach. This includes pills, cotton swabs, soap, tissues, coins, jewellery, lego, coins, hair ties and lots of other ingestible items. Make sure you and the rest of the family get into the habit of keeping their clutter out of reach.
- Protecting curious pups. The toilet lid should be kept down - as it’s not unknown for playful pups to jump into the bowl! Child safety latches on floor-level cupboards are also a good idea. And don’t forget to put any precious, breakable objects somewhere safe.
- Electrical safety. As far as you can, ensure that electrical cables are not exposed. For any wires in reach of your pup, pet-proof cable wrap is recommended.
- Stair safety. Puppies love to explore. They might be able to get up the stairs, but they’re more likely to tumble down them! A puppy gate might be a good idea if you do have stairs.
- Garden safety. For safe playtime in the garden, it’s worth checking for and removing any potentially harmful plants and other nasties. To help you with this, Dogs Trust has a handy list of poisonous plants, garden and household substances. Make sure your fence is nice and secure too. You don’t want your puppy escaping next door and digging holes in your neighbour’s precious lawn!
Feeding Your Puppy
To help your new puppy settle in, getting their diet right is really important. Here are some helpful hints and tips to help feeding your puppy a breeze…
- Puppies and young growing dogs have dietary requirements different from adult dogs. Most well-known dog food manufacturers sell ‘puppy’ foods that will give your puppy all the essential nutrients they need for normal growth and bone development.
- Try and feed the same food that your puppy was getting with their breeder. This will avoid any tummy upsets when they get home.
- Puppies have small stomachs, so feeding little and often is the key to a happy puppy tummy. Start by feeding your puppy 4 times a day. When they're around four months old you can start to reduce feeding times. By the time they’re six months old feeds can be limited to once or twice a day, depending on their size and breed.
- It’s dangerous to over-feed growing puppies. This can cause severe and permanent damage to their bones and joints. Check the food packaging for feeding guidelines, but if you’re unsure, ask your vet!
- Large breeds are particularly prone to the dangerous effects of over-feeding. These dogs should be fed carefully to avoid rapid weight gain which can cause problems with the development of their bones and joints.
- If you’re getting your first puppy, and want more advice on feeding, ask your vet who will be happy to help.
Puppy Microchipping and Tagging
Dogs of any age can be microchipped, but in the UK, puppies must now have a registered microchip before they’re 8 weeks old. This means your puppy should already be microchipped before you take them home from the breeder.
Dogs are known to go missing on walks, from gardens or are stolen. If your dog is microchipped, the registered details can be used to track you down so you’re quickly reunited. A microchip with up-to-date registration details can also be used as proof of ownership, especially if anyone disputed it.
You can get the full lowdown on why this microchipping is so important and how to go about it in our guide to microchipping your pet.
It’s also a legal requirement for any dog in a public place to wear a collar with the owner’s name, address and postcode on it - or engraved on an attached tag. These can easily be ordered online for a few pounds and can make for a very quick reunion if your pooch goes walkies without you!
Registering Your Puppy With a Vet
A visit to the vet is one of the very first things to arrange as soon as your new pup arrives.
They will also give you advice on things like diet and exercise (this can vary quite a lot depending on breed). Your vet should also tell you when the time is right to neuter your young dog. Your vet will also be able to help you with worming. Regular routine worming treatment will prevent your puppy from picking up any unwanted wrigglies! The vet will also make sure you stay on top of all the vaccinations your puppy needs.
Beyond the medical essentials, some vet surgeries also run puppy clubs. For owners, these provide the opportunity to pick up hints and tips on things like training and feeding. For pups, they are a fun, safe way to meet new friends and to help with socialisation.
Everypaw Puppy Insurance
If your pup gets into a scrape, or if they develop a medical problem, you want to be able to access the right treatment quickly, with no fuss - and preferably without being hit by a huge vet bill! This is why so many owners think about for pet insurance when it comes to looking after a puppy.
If you hang on until after your dog develops a problem, you may find that your insurance options are a lot more limited. That’s why puppyhood is the ideal time to take out pet cover for the first time; you’ve a much greater chance of securing the policy that best suits your needs.
Everypaw's Puppy Insurance comes with 24/7 unlimited access to vets and vet nurses that can help with your pet's health, care, nutrition and behaviour. So you can rest assured your pup will be well looked after.