The best gift you can give a new puppy is your promise to do everything you can to take care of them, and part of that is protecting them from illness. Here are five ways to get off to the best start with your new friend.
Find a great vet!
This is undoubtedly one of the most important things you can do to help your new friend stay happy and well. A great vet is one that’s well qualified and ideally, close to where you live. If your pup takes a shine to them, then that’s a bonus too!
Get in the habit from day one of attending regular check-ups – partly to keep your puppy in tip-top shape, and partly so that they learn to feel comfortable at the vet. If you only ever take them when something’s wrong, they’ll soon make a negative association.
Puppies are notoriously curious and often a little mischievous, but a great bet that you can rely on and the right Petsure insurance is an excellent defense team!
Keep up to date with Vaccinations
Vaccinating your pet can help protect them from diseases such as distemper, intestinal worms, Lyme disease, and a host of other nasties. Your vet is the best person to offer advice, but don’t be afraid to ask questions about the vaccinations they recommend!
Defend your pup against pests
Fleas and ticks are no fun for anyone – not only will they make your puppy itchy and irritable, but they could end up making the whole family feel the same way! Ticks can also carry more serious illnesses, so prevention is definitely better than cure. Talk to your vet about the best preventative medication for your puppy and make sure you keep on top of the dosage!
Get to know what’s normal
Get in the habit of giving your pet a good rub down whenever you come in from an outdoor walk. It’ll give you an opportunity to remove any debris they’ve picked up along the way and check for any cuts or scrapes that might need attention. It also gives you a chance to learn what’s normal for your dog – to familiarise yourself with the shape and feel of their body so that if anything unusual comes about, you’ll spot it more quickly.
Watch what they’re eating!
Puppies LOVE to chew! Make sure you give them plenty of puppy-safe chew toys to avoid emergency visits to the vet after they’ve munched through something they shouldn’t have. Also, keep an eye on their toys and immediately get rid of any they’ve managed to damage which could become choking hazards.
Above all else, however careful you are, sometimes accidents happen. If you’re ever at all concerned your puppy doesn’t seem quite right, don’t hesitate to take them to the vet – it’s better to be safe than sorry!
