Find out more about the new puppy checklist!
Do you want to extend your family and adopt a pup? This is great news, but you should know that there is a new puppy checklist you should know about.
Getting a puppy is a heartwarming event in anyone’s life, but as with any other life-changing decision, you need to be prepared. Besides being your furry friend, your pup is also a responsibility. You have to take care of them.
This is why we have prepared this new puppy checklist that has all the essentials listed. In this way, you will not miss anything, and your new friend will get the best treatment possible.
Inspect this checklist closely, and you will have all you need for your puppy in no time! Also, being prepared will help you say goodbye to those unnecessary back-and-forth trips to the pet store. Are you ready?
1. Food
Generally, when you get a new puppy, they will send them to you with a little bit of food that they’ve already been eating. This means that if your dog likes that food, you don’t need to make any changes, which is great.
In case you are not pleased with the default food and want to change the diet, or if your puppy is not a big fan of it, you can buy new food. But you can’t make this change abruptly. When transitioning, start small with ¼ of the new food, then ¾, and so on over the course of a few days. Doing this will help the pup get used to it more easily and will also prevent stomach issues.
Hopefully, you will find out soon enough if your new pup tolerates the new food because, since they eat three meals a day, it will be easy to observe. Another question that bugs a lot of people is: which one is better, dry food or wet food?
The best choice is a combination of wet and dry. You can ask your veterinarian what food to choose and try to alternate or mix wet and dry. So, always add food to the new puppy checklist.
2. Training treats
Training is an important aspect when you get a puppy because discipline will make a difference in the long run. The breed also plays a factor in this, but experts say any dog should be trained. If you start this at an early age, that’s even better.
This is why our new puppy checklist includes training treats. You can’t start the training process without this essential item. Treats work as a reward for positive reinforcement. Every time your new friend does something right, you or the trainer will give them a treat. In this way, they will learn fast that what they do is good and will do it again, experiencing the treat.
Now, don’t expect training to work overnight. It will take some time, but believe us when we tell you that you will be grateful for training your dog.
3. Microchipping
When you decide to adopt a puppy, the microchip is an item that you should never miss on the new puppy checklist. Protecting your dog is important, and microchipping is maybe the first thing you can do.
If your pet gets lost, the microchip is the only device that will help with identification and recovery. In case of an emergency, veterinarians, shelters, and some organizations will be able to contact the owner.
Dogs with microchips are twice as likely to return home, while cats are 10 times more likely. But even considering these benefits, 24Pet statistics show that just 20–30% of pets in the United States are microchipped.
Microchips are small, rice-sized radio-frequency identification devices, and their insertion is painless for the pet. Even if they don’t use a GPS service, they still hold vital information about your buddy.
4. Food and water bowls
When you have a puppy, choosing how to feed them is an extremely important topic, and you should do a little bit of research beforehand. We know it might not seem like a big deal at first, but it truly is.
One thing about most puppies is that they are big fans of eating; they simply love it, and because of this, they might just inhale the food quickly. Appropriate bowls are one of the things that should be on your new puppy checklist.
But when pups eat so fast, this is not actually good for them, as they can even vomit and gag after eating. They don’t chew the food properly and swallow it without any hesitation. This is where a slow feeder can help.
For the water bowl, you can choose almost anything, but metal, plastic, and stainless steel are better options than ceramic or stoneware because puppies can be clumsy at times and can break them.
5. Veterinarian
A veterinarian should always be on your new puppy checklist, no matter what. And when you are looking for a vet, it is a good idea to rely on word-of-mouth recommendations from friends and family.
Each time you are concerned about your dog’s health, you will go to the vet. Also, you will need to go regularly anyway for vaccinations and deworming. This is why you need to find a veterinarian who is professional and does a good job.
Another thing you want to consider is finding a vet who is close to your home. You don’t want to go to the other part of your town when you have an emergency.
That being said, finding the right vet is an important task, and you should be wise about it. This is an essential item on your new puppy checklist.
6. Chew toys
It is a fact that dogs like to chew, but this is even more true for puppies. They are just like human babies, and they have baby teeth. They will fall out until the pup is six weeks old. But in order to survive during this stage, there is one item that should never miss your new puppy checklist, and that is a chew toy or more of them.
During the teething stage, the pup will feel the urge to chew on stuff, and if they don’t have a toy, they will try to do it with whatever is on their way: toys, furniture, your hands, and so on.
But not any toy is appropriate for a baby dog. The best ones are those soft, squeaky toys because they are not made from a harsh material that can wound the pup, and the sound they make can be incredibly entreating for your new friend.
Besides the toys you can buy from the store, you can also make frozen treats at home. They are amazing for inflamed gums! You can try it with frozen veggies and fruits.
Also, another good option is to buy some dental chew sticks. This is a great treat and will also soothe their pain and clean their teeth. But always supervise your pup when giving them dental care, and be careful for them not to choke.
If you are looking to buy some good dental sticks that do the job and your dog would love them, you can try these ones: Greenies Original Regular Natural Dog Dental Care Chews Oral Health Dog Treats
You should also read: 10 Things You Do That Your Dog Absolutely Hates
