Puppies are cute and adorable and make fabulous pets. Looking after a puppy is no joke though, puppies take a lot of time and effort and of course, they grow up fast, which is why, when buying or adopting a puppy, you have to be absolutely sure about it.
If you are a first time puppy owner, you may not necessarily know how to go about taking care of your pup in the best possible way. There are three important things to consider. You need to look at feeding, training and toilet manners.
The ideal behind healthy feeding is simple; a healthy diet gives you the best chance of a healthy dog. Because puppies grow so fast, they need the right amount and balance of nutrients to sustain such growth. Three –five meals a day is ideal when they are very young. After about 12 weeks, you can decrease the amount of meals steadily until you reach two per day. A puppy’s meal needs to contain enough proteins, vitamins and minerals to sustain growth and give them the right amount of energy. The puppy will also need to have access to fresh drinking water all of the time.
Tasty Tips
A nutritional program like the ones provided here at Hill's Pet Nutrition can also give your puppy the nutritional advantage that they require. We have packs specifically designed for puppies which can be replaced by the range for adult dogs as these puppies grow older.
Potty training your puppy
As the puppy matures into a dog, he should steadily acquire the skill of bladder control. This takes time and training to perfect. A young pup will need to go outside every hour or so when awake, after every meal and each time they wake after a nap. Lots of praise when they ‘go’ outside and not reacting (positively or negatively) when they make a mistake indoors, is a great way to get your pup into the right habits early on – but every dog is different and some take a while longer to get the hang of it.
Related products
Sensitive Stomach & Skin Dog Food
Hill's Science Plan Sensitive Stomach & Skin Adult Wet Dog Food with Chicken is a complete premium dog food for adult dogs from 1 year. This savoury tinned loaf is enriched with ingredients that support digestive health & skin care.
Perfect Weight Small & Mini Adult Dog Food
Hill's Science Plan Adult Small & Mini Dog Food with Turkey is a complete premium pet food for adult small dogs from 1 year old that are prone to weight gain or slightly overweight. This deliciously smooth mousse is formulated to deliver the appropriate amount of energy to support weight maintenance in adult dogs.
Perfect Digestion Small & Mini Adult Dog Food
Hill's Science Plan Perfect Digestion Small & Mini Adult Dog Food with Turkey is a complete premium pet food for small breed adult dogs aged 1–6 years. This deliciously smooth mousse is precisely balanced to deliver the appropriate amount of energy and to support digestive health in adult, small breed dogs.
Hypoallergenic Small & Mini Adult Dog Food
HILL'S SCIENCE PLAN Hypoallergenic Small&Mini Adult dog food with Salmon is complete pet food for adult small dogs 1–6 years old. It's formulated for dogs with delicate skin and stomach, with limited high quality novel protein sources & no grain.
Related articles
Develop Your Gut Instinct for Pets’ Digestive Disorders
Gurgling tummies in turmoil are not good news for pets. Owners who have to clean up the unfortunate consequences, digestive problems are one of the rare downsides to owning a pet.
Cleaning Dogs’ Teeth and Dental Care Tips
Discover effective tips for cleaning your dog's teeth as well as overall advice for maintaining canine dental health. Visit Hill's Pet UK for more expert help.
Little dog, big waistline?
Because of their little and darling – or small and scrappy – stature, they are experts at inspiring the most coddling. They can especially excel at eliciting more treats out of their owners.
Help, my Pet has an Upset Stomach!
Learn to see the signs of an upset stomach in your dog, understand the triggers and explore some possible solutions.
Put your dog on a diet without them knowing
Our low calorie formula helps you control your dog's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavourful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.
Put your dog on a diet without them knowing
Our low calorie formula helps you control your dog's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavourful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.