Scientific Feeding and Care of Puppies

1 Overview

Diet

Newly weaned puppies have immature gut digestion; a sudden new environment or diet change easily causes poor appetite, vomiting and diarrhea. So choose easily digested, palatable food. Give some milk, rice soup, juice and vegetable juice daily; as they grow, slowly switch to milk cake. Never feed bones, raw meat, etc. Dogs do not know moderation; overeating causes indigestion, so feed small amounts often.

The following foods must not be given to puppies:

Mutton, chicken carcasses, pork chops, spareribs, sausages, milk, onions, grapes, chocolate, etc.

Dog House

Keep the dog house clean and sanitized regularly. Because puppies regulate temperature weakly, add padding for warmth in winter and avoid direct sun in summer, keeping it warm in winter and cool in summer.

Cleaning

Do not bathe puppies under 1.5 months; use a towel to wipe. After 1.5 months, when bathing avoid water in the ears, use pet shampoo, and dry with a towel then a dryer to prevent colds.

Exercise

Puppies are lively and love movement. Before full vaccination, avoid going out; exercise at home to build bond with people, boost metabolism, raise resistance, and train flexibility and sensitivity. Teach simple commands and fixed-potty training.

Disease Prevention

Generally puppies 35-45 days old can get the two-in-one shot (home-bred puppies have own antibodies up to 45 days and can start at 45-49 days); around 2 months get the combined vaccine, then another combined shot 4 weeks later. Also the rabies vaccine (must be over 3 months). After the first year’s program, from the second year vaccinate once a year (rabies + combined).

Deworming

Dogs have many parasites: common internal ones are nematodes (roundworm, hookworm, whipworm) and tapeworm; external ones are fleas, lice, mites, ticks, etc. Some carry zoonotic pathogens, so regular deworming is needed.