You are bringing your new bundle of joy home finally. You have done your research, know you have the right breed and you have complete faith in the breeder of your new pup. You have visited the litter each week to watch the pups develop, bought all the toys and the crate the breeder recommended and you already have her signed up for puppy kindergarten. Now for the most difficult decision - what do you feed her?

Puppies need special diets to grow strong and healthy and thankfully, there are many varieties to choose from that are designed to fit the needs of our furry bundles of joy! There is small dog puppy food, regular puppy food and foods for large and giant breed pups. Each is formulated a little differently - small breed puppy food is calorie dense with a physical size that matches their diminutive mouths. Large and giant breed dog food is designed to allow for slow, steady growth which helps build strong and healthy bones and joints. Added nutrient are also designed to regulate joint health since so many of these breeds are plagued by hip dysplasia as well as back, elbow and knee issues.

The first person to ask for a recommendation on what to feed your new pup is the breeder. They know their breed best and usually have the best intentions for the health and happiness of both their puppies and their new owners. However, do not take their word as gospel - sometimes they are forced to buy a lesser quality food then what would normally be recommended because of the sheer cost of feeding a litter of pups as well as possibly a full kennel of adult dogs. No matter what, however, have a small bag of the same food waiting at home for the day the pup arrives - you do not want to make a sudden switch of food ever with a dog but it can be catastrophic for a new pup! Housetraining is almost impossible to start if you are also dealing with a bad case of diarrhea. A change in food should always be done gradually over a number of days with each day decreasing the amount of the old food while simultaneously increasing the quantity of new food. After five to seven days, the pup should be on the new food entirely with little to no adverse affect on their bowels.

All dogs thrive on routine and your new pup is no exception! Young pups should be fed at least three times a day but preferably four if possible, at least for the first couple of weeks they are home with you. Make sure you feed them at the same time each day and once they are finished eating, put them outside for a poop - within fifteen minutes of eating, you will be rewarded with a step towards a perfectly housetrained puppy!

How much to feed the pup is the most common question asked a veterinarian. Double check with your breeder before you bring the puppy home and also check the recommendations listed on the dog food bag. Usually it is weight based so make sure you have an overall idea of what your pup weighs now as well as what they will weigh as an adult.

A rule of thumb is to watch your puppy’s waistline and growth spurts. A skinny puppy is a healthy puppy because it puts less stress on the still forming skeletal system. You do not want to see all the ribs but there is no harm in seeing the last one or at least a hint that there could be ribs under a thin layer of pudge and the thick puppy coat. Like human children, pups grow in spurts and stops. Usually they will sleep more and eat ravenously when they are in a growth spurt and our inclination is to feed them until they stop eating. Don’t! Pups, especially large and giant breeds, are healthiest if they grow at a slow and steady pace and by marginally restricting their food, you are making sure the growth spurts do not get out of hand. Large and giant breed puppy food helps keep the growth spurts to a minimum as well.

The biggest mistake new owners make is leaving the food down until the puppy has cleaned his plate and/or add tasty morsels to the dish until the pup concedes to eat the kibble. This actually teaches them bad puppy manners and no one wants that! Give yourself a break - never add tidbits to the dish and only leave the food on the ground for twenty minutes. If they have not finished their plate after that time, pick it up and do not put it on the floor again until the next scheduled feeding. They soon learn to finish their plate quickly and that they are not going to get something tastier if they ‘hold out’ for better! No puppy will starve themselves to death and they will eventually eat their entire meal as long as you are strong and not give in to those adorable puppy eyes!

Feeding a puppy is not difficult but it does take a bit of knowledge and some diligence on your part. Keep your puppy at a healthy weight, have them dewormed regularly and make sure you have fun with your new ball of fur - puppyhood lasts only a short time and it will be over before you know it!

Puppy urinary tract infections are a common problem and one which is easy to miss until it has become serious, so owners need to remain vigilant and do whatever they can to maintain their pet’s health. One of the best ways for staying ahead of urinary tract problems is through the use of natural remedies and following a healthy daily regimen.

 

While the symptoms of urinary tract infection puppy owners should heed are the same as those in adult dogs, they can be harder to spot in puppies. Lethargy, lack of appetite and pain and tenderness in the abdomen are common symptoms but generally the most prominent symptom is frequent urination. Because puppies are still trying to control their bladders, it can be hard to distinguish regular “accidents” from frequent urination caused by uti.

 

If your puppy’s excess urination is accompanied by any of the other uti symptoms, a veterinary exam is recommended. Your vet will be able to determine if the symptoms are being caused by anything more serious and will suggest a course of treatment. In most cases of puppy urinary tract infections, this will involve a course of antibiotics but this is troubling in itself as antibiotics can actually damage a puppy’s developing immune system.

 

There are many possible causes of urinary tract infection puppy owners should be aware of. Female dogs are at more risk because of their shortened urethra, which allows transfer of bacteria that much quicker. And as they grow and experience rapid hormone changes, puppies’ ph levels can shift, making them more prone to uti’s.

 

Maintaining good health for your puppy begins with the right diet. Good quality canned food is recommended, but dry can also be used as long as you avoid foods that are mostly grain. Making sure there is some protein included will help to avoid puppy urinary tract infections by strengthening growing bodies and particularly the immune system.

 

Insuring that your puppy gets plenty of clean water is also important as proper hydration leads to regular urination. Another important tool in fighting urinary tract infection puppy owners should be aware of is the use of homeopathic treatments. Made from a special blend of herbs and other natural, plant based ingredients, these products can help to boost the immune system and balance out bacteria levels in the urinary tract.

 

Herbs such as Arctostaphylos uva ursi, Berberis vulgaris, and Cantharis can provide a safe, gentle alternative to harsh antibiotics, without the potentially harmful side effects. Used as part of a regular daily health routine, these natural products can go a long way to help your puppy grow and develop normally and avoid painful and possibly even life threatening puppy urinary tract infections.

 

Urinary tract infections are a fact of life for dog owners, but they can be avoided if you just take the right steps early on. So make sure you give your puppy the right foods and plenty of exercise and consider safe, gentle homeopathic remedies to treat any problems which do occur. With a little bit of help from Mother Nature, you can get your puppy off to a healthy start!

Are you considering a canine companion, a hound to have around, or a puppy pal? There are pros and cons to considering puppies vs. adult dogs. Puppies are great fun, but plenty of work. Puppies need a great deal of attention, much more care and training and lots and lots of play time. Puppies cannot be left alone as long as adult dogs. They must be watched at all times or kept in a secure place such as a crate when you can’t watch them. They need frequent trips outside to relieve themselves; they eat several times a day. An advantage of having a puppy is you train and socialize the dog right from the beginning. A puppy will quickly bond with family members.

Your house will have to be child protected with latches on cabinets where potentially dangerous things like cleaning supplies are kept. Puppies are curious and explore everywhere, often by chewing. New pups often have difficulty adapting to being away from their litter mates and your sleep will be interrupted for the first days after you bring him home.

Housebreaking a puppy can be a messy chore. You have to be patient when the puppy makes mistakes. The good thing about a puppy is he is a blank slate: he can be trained and socialized so he is a perfect fit with your family. You don’t have to worry about breaking him of bad habits.

An alternative is adopting an adult dog from a shelter or foster home, or breed rescue organization. An older dog is usually already housebroken and can be left alone for longer periods of time. With an adult dog, you know right away what you’re getting in terms of: the size of the dog, the temperament, the activity level and personality. What you don’t know is the dog’s past, what may have happened that led the dog to be in a situation of being rescued or abandoned. Adult dogs sometimes have developed behavioral issues because of past neglect or abuse. It may take time for you and your new adult dog to develop mutual trust. Some adult dogs can be nervous or have separation anxiety when introduced into a new home. Treat an adult dog with respect and affection. Talk softly and don’t move suddenly until you know your new canine companion and he knows you.

Don’t make the mistake of treating adult toy dogs, like Miniature Schnauzers, as puppies. They’re not. Some small dogs don’t realize they’re little (just like some Great Danes think they’re lap dogs). Toy dogs should be house broken and well behaved just like their bigger cousins.

Many well-trained, sociable dogs are available for adoption, however, and you can certainly find one that will fit right into your household with minimal stress or period of adjustment. Just remember to give the dog extra care, attention and love when he first comes into your home. If he feels completely welcome and loved, he is bound to make a smoother transition.