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You’ll do anything to keep your puppy healthy and happy—IAMS™ is just the first step. Here’s some extra advice to help your puppy stay extra healthy.
Step 1: Begin with a play session and praise to relax your puppy. Then get on the same physical level as your puppy. With a large dog, kneel next to him while he's in the sitting position; with a small puppy, place him on a grooming table or a countertop.
Step 2: Place one hand over the top of the puppy's muzzle as shown. Hold the pill in your free hand and then gently open his mouth with that hand.
Step 3: Place the pill in the center of the tongue as far back as you're able to reach. Then close your puppy's mouth and hold it shut while you blow gently but quickly at his nose. This will cause your dog to swallow before he has a chance to spit the pill out. Give him a treat immediately afterward to ensure that the pill has really been swallowed. End each session with play and praise.
Just like you, your new puppy needs high-quality health care. Before you run into any dog health issues, ask a friend or your local humane society to recommend a veterinarian, then choose one with these factors in mind:
Once you've narrowed your choices, visit the veterinarian's office. Inspect the facility and talk to the doctor about your new puppy. If you like what you see and hear, arrange a time to bring your puppy in for an initial examination. It's a good idea to visit the veterinarian within the first three days after you bring your puppy home to make sure he's in good health. The veterinarian will probably check:
Nutrition is an important part of pet care, and food is one of the basic needs of a dog. So, we cannot go wrong when it comes to feeding our fur babies. And how would anyone mess it up? As humans, we are used to satisfying the nutritional needs of ourselves. How difficult could it possibly be to do the same for a dog? Well, thanks to the endless varieties of dog food available in the market, choosing the right kind of puppy food has become a challenge. But fret not! With this comprehensive feeding guide, you can plan a healthy and balanced diet for your new-born puppy. It also covers questions like what, when, and how often to feed a puppy.
Complete and balanced nutrition is critical for the healthy growth of your puppy. In fact, according to Dr. Saza Curaming, “A puppy grows about 12x faster than a human child. That’s why the first year of a dog’s life is a critical stage and this will dictate its further development. It is at this stage where you must constantly monitor its nutrition and feeding regimen.” So, let’s look at the food guide for the first year of a newborn pup:
As compared to adult dogs, puppies need a higher protein intake. It helps with muscle development and tissue repair. Hence, it is imperative to include protein-rich foods in their diet. While iron helps create red blood cells, calcium strengthens bones and teeth. As your puppy grows, it will start learning new things. And to ensure that your pooch can see and conceive new things, it needs DHA – an omega-3 fatty acid that supports healthy vision and brain development. You must also include prebiotics in its diet as your pet cannot have a healthy gut without it!
Give your dog the food that’s specifically formulated for its breed and age. Since small breed dogs have a tiny mouth, they require smaller kibbles. Moreover, large breed dogs have a slower metabolism; hence, they require fewer calories per kilogram of their bodyweight when compared to a small or medium breed dog.
At IAMS, we offer a range of puppy food that is loaded with essential nutrients like protein, vitamins, and minerals. Our food is scientifically formulated for puppies of all breed sizes. With IAMS, you make sure that your little pooch receives a balanced and complete meal.
Now that you know the nutritional requirements of a dog, let us check out the food items that are harmful for your pooch:
A fat puppy might not necessarily mean a healthy pet. The way childhood obesity often leads to medical complications in humans, an overweight puppy can also grow up to have health problems. So, make sure you monitor your furry friend’s calorie intake. This includes keeping an eye on the amount of treats you give your pup each day! Remember that treats are not the only way of rewarding a dog. You can make it feel loved and appreciated with praises, pats, and belly rubs as well.
