Caring for a puppy can be both exciting and challenging. Here are a few things to keep in mind when caring for your new furry friend:
Vaccinations
As a pet owner, you want to do everything you can to keep your puppy healthy and safe. That’s why it’s important to follow the recommended vaccination schedule for puppies.
Learn more about vaccinating your puppy below.
Parasite control
As a new puppy owner, you may be wondering how to best protect your furry friend from parasites. While there are many products on the market, it is important to consult with your vet to determine which one is right for your puppy and your lifestyle.
There are two main types of parasites that can affect puppies – internal and external. Internal parasites, such as roundworms and hookworms, live inside the puppy’s body and can cause serious health problems. External parasites include fleas, mites and ticks. Fleas can cause skin irritation and flea dermatitis. Paralysis ticks are extremely dangerous, causing paralysis of the muscles. This can include the heart and lung muscles which can be fatal. Prevention is always safer and cheaper. We recommend Nexgard in puppies as it is a monthly chew. Nexgard comes in different sizes and goes by a dog’s weight, meaning puppies can go up the next weight range each month as they grow.
The best way to protect your puppy from parasites is to prevent them from getting infected in the first place. This means keeping your puppy away from places where parasites might be present, such as in dirt or in the stool of other animals. It also means keeping your puppy’s environment clean and free of debris. Learn more about parasite control and how to keep your furry friend safe.
Diet & nutrition
When it comes to nutrition, puppies have different nutritional needs than adult dogs, so it’s important to focus on foods that are specifically formulated for their growing bodies. This includes those that are higher in energy, calcium and protein to support their rapid growth and is even specific to their breed. Our vets can help you choose the right food for your puppy based on their individual needs.
To find the best food for your puppy, talk to our team about what type of food is right for your pup.
Desexing
Desexing puppies is an important step in responsible pet ownership. It can help reduce the number of unwanted animals in shelters, and it can also help your puppy stay healthy and happy.
There are many benefits to desexing puppies, including:
- Reduced risk of certain types of cancer
- Fewer chances of roaming and getting lost
- Reduced risk of humping and other nuisance behaviours
- Prevention of aggressive behaviours
- Learn more about desexing your pup below.
Microchipping
Microchips are an important way to help keep your pet safe. If your furry friend ever gets lost, a microchip can help ensure they are quickly and easily reunited with you.
The microchip contains vital information about your pet, including your contact details. We will also register your pet to the NSW Pet Registry.
This is a quick and simple procedure that can give you peace of mind knowing that your beloved pet can always find their way back home. Get in touch with our team to learn more about microchipping your pup.
Insurance
There are so many reasons that we advise pet insurance. We see too many situations where finances prevent the best level of care, and we would hate for this to happen to you.
At Bangalow Vets, we recommend Petplan covered 4 life policies to give you peace of mind in the event of accidents or illness. If you have a puppy or kitten who is over 8 weeks old and under 1 year old, Petplan offer a free 4-week cover, with no obligation to continue (and no financial details taken). We can even sign you up in the clinic using the details we already have (it takes none of your time) and then you have 1 month to decide whether you wish to continue insurance thereafter: it’s what we call a no-brainer.
Chat with our team to learn more about insurance for your pet.