Owning any pet is a tremendous responsibility. However, in the long run the rewards are worth it a hundred fold. The amount of unconditional love, and loyalty, you earn from your pet feels like magic. Understanding your new family member is extremely important. Keep in mind they are like a small child. They will need a lot of attention and solid guidance and of course plenty of sleep. They also need a place to feel safe,  a proper diet, a good veterinary that understands your pets specific needs.

In order to provide a loving, healthy and happy atmosphere for your new family member, We here at My 1st Pet suggest following some simple but necessary guidelines. We have listed the some of the basic needs of your new pet: Good Diet, Environment and Maintenance. Following these basic needs will ensure your new family member will stay healthy and offer their companionship for many years! 

Diet:

Puppy Food –  A puppy’s digestive system can sometimes be sensitive and may not respond well to a rapid change in food. Unfortunately changing food to quickly will have some undesirable results from an upset stomach  to diarrhea. Ask your Vet how much food you should be offering your puppy and the best time of the day you should feed them. Make sure they have fresh water at all time.

High-Calorie Supplement – Some smaller breeds of puppies or picky eaters might need certain supplements to help with a healthy weight gain. Finding supplements that are rich in essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals.

Environment:

Kennel - Dogs are den animals. They need their own space to feel comfort and security it is a good idea to train your puppy to go to their cozy kennel. Proper kennel training is a great way to help with house-training your pup to prevent those unwanted accidents. Make sure to them their own den. 

Bed/Blanket – Giving your puppy their own bed to sleep in, is perfect because this will help with training them to stay off certain furniture. Some puppies will start shedding early and they will happily deposit a bunch fur all over your sofa or your bed. Remember they enjoy a comfortable bed too and not just the cold draft of the floor. 

Maintenance:

Nail Clippers –  It is recommended you clip your puppy’s nails pretty regularly throughout their life. They feel more comfortable, and it helps to prevent other dirt and containments getting into your puppies paws. Be cautious when trimming, DO NOT not to over trim or cut into their blood vessels running through each nail. If your puppy has black nails or the viens are difficult to see. You should always consult your local Vet or Pet groomer to ensure you are properly trimming their nails. If you happen to cut into their vein make sure have the correct medical supplies a good blood coagulant ready apply on the open wound. 

Bath/Pet Shampoo – How often is it bath time for your puppy? Well as often as needed! Some puppies are get a bit more dirty than others.  Make sure use puppy shampoos and as they grow, finding the right dog shampoo will help with their overall coat and skin. We do not recommend using human shampoos, as there is a significant pH difference from pet shampoos. In some cases they can cause serious skin irritations and dull their coat. Pet hair conditioners work well with reducing some tangles.

Brush or Comb –  For short hair breeds recommended to use a rubber brush or glove. For breeds that have medium to long-haired you should use a slick brush and stainless steel combs that helps reduce mats in their hair. For long haired breeds with thick undercoats, a de-matting tool is extremely useful. During shedding season or when they are blowing their coat, you can use a blower dryer with good brush to help your pet get rid of all the loose fur. Feel free to ask you us which brushes and combs are right for your puppy.

Bowls – Choose bowls that are easy to clean and hard to knock over. Ceramic or stainless steel work best, especially for moist foods, as plastic dishes tend to trap odors. Double diners, that have removable dishes, are very convenient. For larger breed puppies and dogs, there are feeding dishes with adjustable levels, so they may eat in comfort!

Leash, Collars and Identification – The best way to ensure your puppy’s health and safety, is to have a way to identify that your pet belongs to your family. There are some good options either having a microchip or tattoo is a reliable way to ensure your pet has an ID. This is normally done around six months of age.  Some pet owners will choose to use a harness or collar with an ID tag. If your little one is more active,  a harness is recommended as this puts less pressure on their neck area, and provide more security than a traditional collar. We have a variety of leashes  available My 1st Pet in many colors and materials. Extendible leashes are available that are easy to use that allow you to simply press a button to control the length of the leash. 

Cleanliness:

All pets must be kept in a clean environment to avoid the spread of dirt and contaminants to yourself and others. Ensure your pet's area is clean, make it good habit to clean their area where they sleep or spend quality time,  at least once a week or as often as needed. Some breeds may be more prone to skin allergies/irritation  if their area has some dirt they may scratch more often which could lead to health issues. 

Please keep in mind that all pets may bite or scratch, and they can transmit some diseases to humans. Be cautious with young children, infants, pregnant women, anyone with a compromised immune system and elderly individuals who are at a greater risk of possible infection. 

If you still have questions related to a particular breed, or any pet health concerns, always consult your local Veterinarian for further guidance.