Puppy Health - All You Need to Know

The main problem with puppies is that they are so irresistible that you'll find yourself walking out of the pet shop with one before you've really had a chance to think it through. Puppies tend to grow into dogs with all the accompanying expense and responsibilities that go with owning a dog. Don't panic, keeping your puppy healthy is not hard. A healthy puppy will grow into a healthy dog who will be your faithful friend for may years. Here's how to ensure a healthy puppy.

Puppy nutrition.

There are so many different puppy foods out there, how do you know which one to choose? The easy way is to ask your vet what they recommend, but it's probably worth spending some time doing research online, or in pet stores, to find the best puppy foods with quality ingredients. I'm not able to go into too much detail here but as a general guide, look for ingredients with meat and vegetables and avoid fillers like too much grain. Always make sure there is plenty of clean water for him to drink.

Puppies need plenty of affection. This is easy when they are small and cute but they will grow larger and some people, especially children, may lose interest. Dogs that don't get enough attention can become bored and start digging up your garden or chewing your valuable possessions. Make time to be with your dog and buy him plenty of toys he can chew on.

Puppies are always rushing around and usually will get enough exercise so long as they have enough room to run around in. Playing with your puppy is a great way to give him (and you!) the exercise he needs. Try throwing him a ball and training him to bring it back, you'll probably get bored before he does! Taking him for walks is another great way to exercise him, not to mention training him to stop, walk and sit as well.

Look after your puppy's teeth by brushing them and giving them raw bones to chew. Get them used to teeth brushing, nail clipping, and brushing when they're young. You'll thank yourself later!

Puppies need to have routine checkups and vaccinations for their continued good health. Find a good vet and take your puppy in on a regular basis. Most vets will send you a reminder when the next appointment is due if you ask them to.

As you can see it's not hard to have a healthy puppy. Simply keep him safe, stick to a schedule of check-ups and vaccinations and source the best puppy foods you can find and you should have many years of companionship with your new best friend.

Thinking about having a puppy in your life? Puppies are great companions but they are also a long term commitment. Find out more about how to look after your puppy or dog using natural methods at holistic dog health written by a holistic health therapist: Wendy Owen (HH Dip)