how to prepare for a new puppy

Puppies are the best, right? They’re adorable, they smell good, and they have those sweet puppy eyes and bellies. They can also be little terrors, destroying every sock or shoe in sight. In other words: Puppies can be a handful.

If you’ve got a new puppy in the house, don’t fret. We’re pretty well versed on the whats and hows of puppy owning, and we’re happy to help!

Puppy training

Puppies are new to this world, which means they don’t know the ins and outs of being a respectable member of the household. Every piece of paper or article of clothing is theirs for the taking. Our super helpful Puppy Hub offers tips on how to stop puppy bad behavior, how to encourage good behavior, how to socialize a puppy, how to stop puppy biting, and more. If you need support or have any questions, schedule an appointment with your local Banfield vet, or better yet, if your pet has an Optimum Wellness Plan, use the handy Vet Chat™ feature to get recommendations and tips for your new puppy.

Puppy diet

Because puppies are full of energy, they require multiple meals each day. Larger pups sometimes need less-frequent meals, while smaller pups need more-frequent ones. As they age, their food quantity and schedule will change. It’s important to check puppy food labels to see their feeding recommendations and to use those quantities, alongside your veterinarian’s recommendations. All of your questions about what to feed your puppy and when are great questions for your vet. We also offer helpful tips on spotting puppy food allergies, reading pet food labels, alternative diets, foods to avoid, and more. 

Puppy vaccination schedule

It’s recommended that your puppy receive a series of vaccinations within the first six months of their life. Core vaccines, or ones strongly recommended to avoid illness, include distemper/parvo combination, Bordetella (kennel cough), and rabies. Other puppy vaccines that may be recommended include parainfluenza, Lyme disease, leptospirosis, and canine influenza. These are particularly important if your pet is out in public frequently, like at doggy daycare or at the dog park. Read more about the puppy vaccine schedule here. 

Puppy spaying and neutering 

Puppy neutering or spaying not only helps with unintended pregnancy, it can also help prevent testicular, ovarian, and uterine cancers, and neutering can help reduce the risk of prostate disease. Both surgeries are super common and the recovery time takes up to two weeks. If you have concerns about spaying or neutering your puppy, your Banfield vet is there to answer any of your questions. We encourage you to check out our Optimum Wellness Plan designed for puppies. Puppy OWPs include unlimited office visits, unlimited Vet Chat, two virtual visits, vaccinations, diagnostic testing, spaying or neutering, and so much more. Check it out.