Your essential puppy care guide
Welcoming a new puppy is exciting! While it is true that puppyhood is warm cuddles and sloppy puppy kisses, it's also daily growth, house training, teaching manners and providing proper nutrition. The rapid growth you are watching is just the tip of the iceberg! During your puppy’s first year, there’s so much going on inside that you don’t see—they transform both physically and cognitively.
Having a blueprint to help you navigate those changes makes it easier to adjust their nutritional and training needs during each stage. Our puppy care guide is that blueprint. It’s filled with helpful puppy information and tips to help you raise your puppy from rambunctious puppyhood to the healthy, loyal companion you’ve envisioned.
On this page you will find the following:
Fun-filled, complex puppy growth
Getting prepared for your puppy
1. Fun-filled, complex puppy growth
Rapid puppy growth stages and puppy development milestones are complex for a young active body. As your puppy is growing up, their size, capacity for learning, and ability to be consistent with training expectations can change.
Food that meets your puppy’s nutritional needs during rapid growth can impact their health as an adult. Being well versed in the specific nutritional support your puppy requires–according to their size, age and breed–helps you lay a solid foundation for their future health and all those adventures you’ll have together.
If you’re a new puppy owner interested in learning how to raise a puppy or just need a refresher, learning about your puppy’s development month by month will give you the confidence you need to truly enjoy being a dog parent. Our puppy care guide provides the essential information you need to support that fearless curiosity and keep your puppy safe.
Senses
A puppy’s eyes stay shut until the end of the second week. Their hearing isn't fully developed until they are eight weeks old. When mature a dog can hear frequencies up to two and a half times higher than human ears.
Immunity and defence
In their first six months their immature immune system must help protect them from millions of germs.
Healthy bones
In the first year of life your puppy’s bones must grow to become four times stronger than concrete.
Extraordinary growth
A puppy normally gains 5-10% of its body weight every day for the first two weeks.
Socialisation
Around 4 weeks to 4.5 months of age, puppies become more socialized and energetic. At the same time, puppies must learn to socialise and become socialised in order to grow into balanced, confident adults.
Senses
A puppy’s eyes stay shut until the end of the second week. Their hearing isn't fully developed until they are eight weeks old. When mature a dog can hear frequencies up to two and a half times higher than human ears.
Immunity and defence
In their first six months their immature immune system must help protect them from millions of germs.
Healthy bones
In the first year of life your puppy’s bones must grow to become four times stronger than concrete.
Extraordinary growth
A puppy normally gains 5-10% of its body weight every day for the first two weeks.
Socialisation
Around 4 weeks to 4.5 months of age, puppies become more socialized and energetic. At the same time, puppies must learn to socialise and become socialised in order to grow into balanced, confident adults.
Our Puppy Growth Programme nutritional recommendations
Our products are designed to accompany your puppy’s growth, helping provide meaningful benefits thanks to specifically chosen nutrients for each stage of life.
2. Getting prepared for your puppy
Without doing some advance preparation, bringing your new puppy home might feel a little chaotic. While you’re learning about life with your new puppy, they are learning to live without their mother and siblings. And to top it off, they’re adjusting to a new environment and expectations. Knowing what your puppy needs and what to expect in those early days can smooth the transition for both of you.
Take some of the unknowns out of your puppy’s homecoming. Our helpful guide provides information about how to prepare for a new puppy, including guidance for all the things you need for a puppy and tips to provide the best puppy care.
3. Puppy feeding to support their nutritional needs
You may wonder what to feed a puppy, or how to feed a puppy to ensure a healthy future. Your puppy’s mother did an outstanding job of paving the way to a healthy puppyhood. But your puppy will grow rapidly through several growth stages, needing different nutrients for each one.
Puppy food must meet unique nutritional and energy requirements as your puppy grows up. When you provide the right food to meet all those needs, you’re paving the way to a healthy adulthood.
Our guide gives you insight into puppy feeding. You’ll learn your puppy’s nutritional and energy needs to help you make the best food decisions to support your puppy’s continued health.
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4. Caring for your puppy
In those early weeks, your puppy’s first vet visit starts their health journey and reduces the risk of many puppy diseases. Many dog breeds will also need their first puppy grooming session. First visits can set the stage for future visits.
Your puppy’s new life with you includes many firsts and they will look to you for protection and guidance. How you support them through new experiences sets the stage for other situations that are unfamiliar and maybe a bit scary. The relationship you’ve built goes a long way in easing the stress of the unfamiliar, but helpful proven tips to navigate the unknown can continue building that trust you’ve created.
Our helpful guide provides everything you need to know to help your puppy confidently navigate intimidating firsts.
Find a vet
If you have any concerns about your dog’s health, consult a vet for professional advice.
Puppy development from birth to adulthood
Understanding the amazing transformation your puppy goes through from birth to adulthood will help ensure they get the right nutrition at each stage of development.Understanding the amazing transformation your puppy goes through from birth to adulthood will help ensure they get the right nutrition at each stage of development.
When does my puppy become an adult dog?
Puppies and adult dogs require very different things from their diet and care - here, you can find out exactly when your pup will become an adult, and how to support them as they grow.
Introducing your puppy to family members
In the beginning, your puppy will be adjusting to their new home and care should be taken to make sure this transition is a smooth one. There are a number of important steps to take to properly introduce a puppy to their new family.
How often to feed a puppy
Find out exactly where, when, how and how much you should be feeding your puppy during the first few months of their life.
Puppy nutrition explained
An adult dog and a puppy have very different nutritional needs. Find out exactly what your puppy needs from its diet at each stage in its development.
First-Time Dog Owner’s Guide! 5 tips for on feeding your new puppy!
During puppy’s’ critical growth stage it is vital to pay close attention to their diet, as malnourishment or excessive nutrition can lead to health issues later in life.
Your puppy's first visit to the vet
It's important to book an appointment for your new puppy to see a vet shortly after they arrive in their new home. Find a vet that you trust to ensure your puppy's wellbeing is taken care of throughout their life.
Puppy vaccinations
Vaccinations help prevent contagious and sometimes fatal diseases. Some are mandatory, while others are recommended. It’s crucial you make sure you have the right vaccination schedule in place for your new puppy.
Grooming and hygiene tips for your new puppy
No matter the breed or coat length of your puppy, grooming is a very important part of ownership. Caring for their nails and coat and making sure they have good hygiene is key to their overall health and wellbeing
