Puppy Care: Tips for Caring for Your Pet

Caring for a newborn puppy is much like caring for a newborn child. They are delicate at this stage of their lives and need you to take special care of them. There are important pointers specific to caring for puppies that you need to observe so that you can avoid problems.Here are some do’s and don’ts when it comes to caring for your newborn puppy.To Do:

Source: Unsplash1. Head to the Vet

When your puppy/puppies are born, the first thing you should do is take them to the vet. Vets in Singapore will ensure a thorough check-up is done to ensure your dog is healthy. This includes checks for congenital disabilities, infections and so on. Your vet will also give you advice on what to do and what not to do when caring for your newborn pup.

2. Follow-Up Visits

Follow up visits should include vaccinations, dietary advice, external and internal parasite control, and so on.

3. Purchase Quality Dog Food

For a happy and healthy pup, it is important to first cater to its dietary requirements. Do note that dog food for adult dogs and puppies are not the same and you should bear this in mind before purchasing. Also, ensure that your puppy has access to a supply of clean, fresh water at all times.4. Potty-train your Puppy

It is important to potty-train your puppy at an early age for some reasons. For one, it is easier to teach a young dog certain habits, than it is to an old dog. Also, if your puppy is potty-trained early, there will be fewer accidents to clean up.

5. Be Observant

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Watching your puppy is important. The way he or she interacts with other dogs, what he or she does while alone, energy levels, poop, coughing, weight gain, loss of appetite can all be an indicator of illness or health conditions in general.Don’ts: 1. Avoid Raising Your Voice

While it may be frustrating when trying to teach your dog tricks or even during potty training, it is important not to punish your dog during this learning process, or at any time as this may result in a lack of your puppy’s trust in you.2. Avoid Socialising

While socialising your puppy with humans and other dogs is important, you can make the critical error of socialising your pup too soon. In new environments with humans and dogs, he or she is not used to; your pup may experience anxiety and fear. Furthermore, if your pet has not had the appropriate vaccinations, he or she is at greater risk of contracting diseases such as Rabies, Hepatitis, and Coronavirus which can be deadly if left untreated. Small children may not know how to care for puppies properly and may drop them or injure them in some other way.

3. Avoid Baths (for now)

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No matter how tempting it may be, avoid giving your puppy a shower. This is the job of the puppy’s mother and if the pup and his or her mother was separated, you can, but under extreme circumstances. Wait until the puppy is at least a month old. Use only warm only, along with a washcloth (no shampoo because this will dry the puppy’s skin, causing itch). Do not immerse your puppy into the water as this can lead to hypothermia and even death. Clean your puppy with a towel or a blow-dryer on the lowest setting and ensure he or she is kept warm.4. Omit Cow’s Milk From Your Puppy’s Diet

Cow’s milk will lead to an upset tummy. Use a special nipple bottle with puppy milk replacement formula heated to room temperature instead. You can purchase the puppy milk replacement formula at a Singapore vet or one of the many Singapore online pet shops.Following these rules should, without a doubt make caring for your newborn pup much easier. Good luck!