Nutrition and Grooming

Nutrition

Homemade
Homemade diets are the best way to maintain a healthy puppy BUT are difficult to create and maintain. Homemade diets need to be high in protien and contain all the essential vitamins and minerals needed for your growing puppy. Consulting your vet and getting all the right books and information is crucial.

Pet Foods A quality manufactured pet food is essential for good health. One designed for puppies is also important as puppies require more calories, diets higher in protein and overall have different nutritional needs that adult dogs. Make sure to read the label and see that the formula is right for your puppy and breed. Also check the ingredients to see that only fresh high quality beef is used. Most cheap pet foods use low grade, leftover meat from slaughter houses (items like hooves, beaks, intestines and expired meat are common in these pet foods). Try an all natural pet food like Science Diet® Nature's Best. Nature's Best is made from high quality ingredients and naturally preserved, with no artificial flavors. It contains real meat, real garden vegetables and wholesome grains, along with the antioxidant vitamins to promote the defense of your puppy's immune system. If Nature's Best is a too pricey for you, you can try Science Diet® Lamb and Rice Canine Puppy Formula. It has more procesed materials but is equally healthy and balanced for all your growing puppys nutrient needs. It's recommended that you feed your puppy 4 times a day if he is under 4 months and 3 times after that. Keeping a scedule for feeding is important for your puppy. Consult your vet on when to feed.

Supplements A good, well balanced, complete diet usually does not require supplementation. Playing around with supplements that promise the best for your puppy can be dangerous and be careful to always consult your vet about supplments. Despite this many owners choose to give their puppies daily or weekly vitamins to ensure that he is getting all the nutrients he needs. Nutri-Vet's® Multi-Tab vitmain supplement is great addition to your puppys diet. Read the directions about proportion size before giving your puppy a tablet. Consult with your vet about appropriate vitamin tabs for your puppy.

Treats
Treats are excellent motivators and great rewards that you can use during training. Sliced pieces of boiled hot dog can be a great treat for your puppy. Watch out when buying treats from the store. Many are high in sugars and can be unhealthy and lead to obesity if overused. Try not to treat too much and use self control with your puppy. Those puppy eyes get to the best of us and you want your puppy to like you but in the long run you are doing whats best by not over treating.

Grooming

Professional Groomer
A good, trusted professional groomer can take care of 90% of your grooming responsibilites. Depending on your breed you may need to take your puppy once every couple of months or twice a month or more. At the groomers your puppy will be bathed, brushed, combed, cut, trimmed and clipped. Some people may choose a local, standard groomer while others may opt for a full on doggie day spa complete with massages and manequres. It all depends on your personal puppy needs and desires. Even if you choose to use the services of a professional remember that brushing, combing and the occasional nail trim are still your responsibility at home. Most people who choose to do it all themselves will still use a groomer to cut and trim their puppies coat.

Brushing
The importance of brushing should not be underestimated. Brushing prevents hairs from tangling and mats from forming which can be very painfull for your puppy. Brushing is also a time when you get to fully examine your puppys coat and body for ticks, fleas and general health. Getting your puppy used to brushing and combing takes patience. Initially your puppy may not enjoy it and squirm to be set free. However if you introduce brushing slowly, gently, early and over time there is no reason why your puppy couldn't grow to enjoy and even love your brushing sessions. Brushing can be a very soothing, bonding experience for you both. You are touching your puppy is places where he is most vulnerable and to have him let you without protest requires alot of trust on his part. Brushing your puppies coat at least once a week is the absolute minimum an owner should do.

Shampooing
The most important thing with shampooing is that you DO NOT use human shampoos. Human shampoos can be irritating to your puppy and should be avoided. There are so many different types that you can buy. Pick one that works well with your breed coat type. Also if your puppys skin flakes or is excessivly dry a good conditioner can work well.

Nail Trimming
The key to nail trimming is to get your puppy used to the sensation of having his paws touched and pocked around with. Start by gently grabing his paws, playing with them and holding them in your hands for a while. Gradually extend the time you hold your puppys paws and then when he is used to it you can begin trimming. Always use calm, soothing voices and praise generously. If you slip and accidentally cut your puppy wash the wound and place some iodine on it (you may also want to wrap with a bandage). When cutting avoid the dark skin area and only cut white nail. Avoid cutting too short as well.

Dental Care
Dental care is very important. Your puppys mouth is the equivalent of our hands and need to be clean and healthy. Introduce brushing to your puppy slowly over time. Buy a good tasting toothpaste and nice durable brush. Introduce your puppy to the toothpaste by placing some on your finger and having your puppy like your finger. As he is licking gently rub your finger over his gums. Continue this for a while and then introduce the brush in place of your finger. Gently massage the teeth in a circular motion. If all goes well your puppy will love brush time. Also try brushing around 3 times a week. Hard kibble also helps with keeping teeth clean as the kibble rubs the teeth clean when your puppy bites down into it.

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