Four Tips For A Smooth Transition When Bringing A New Puppy Home

Posted on: 16 June 2016

There are about 70 to 80 million dogs owned in the United States. Chances are you may own a dog at some point. Bringing home a new puppy can be a great experience. If you have never owned a dog before, you want to make sure you do your research to understand what the dog's needs are. Each breed of dog may require different care, but in general there are some things that all dogs will need when they first come home. To ensure your new puppy is healthy and happy, here are four tips you should consider when bringing home a new puppy. 

Get a Collar and ID

One of the first things you want to do when you bring a new dog home is give it some type of identification. Most commonly, this is done using a collar and a dog tag. The dog tag should have your phone number and the number of your vet to ensure someone will be able to reach you if your dog is found. Additionally, you may want to consider microchipping your dog. This is done by sticking a microchip into your dog that can identify them in case you and the dog get separated. You can expect to pay around $30 to $45 to have the microchip implanted. 

Vaccinate Your Dog

You want to make sure you take your new puppy in for a full exam when you first get them. At this time, your veterinarian should vaccinate the dog and go over any flea treatments that may be necessary. Fleas are more prone to inhabit your dog's fur during the warm weather months, so it is important to start a flea treatment program for your dog right before this time. Since fleas can carry around diseases, it is important to check your puppy for fleas all year round. 

Determine Your Dog's Diet

Another important step you want to take to ensure your puppy remains healthy is determining the diet. About 54% of dogs are considered overweight, according to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. It is crucial to figure out what the best food is to give your dog and how much you should give it. Discuss what type of treats are best for your dog as well to ensure your dog is not consuming too many calories. 

Puppy Proof Your Home

This is one thing that can be done before you bring your new puppy home. You want to make sure that any valuables that your puppy can get hold of are put away. Puppies love to chew on things, so make sure you remove shoes and other flexible objects that the puppy may find. You also want to get rid of any poisonous objects that could harm your dog, like plants. 

For more information, contact a company like Kenmore Veterinary Hospital.

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