PUPPY TIPS
Common Dangers
Thread, yarn and string can be deadly. Part of it can get stuck in a cat’s mouth while the rest makes it’s way through the intestines, sawing through tissue. Dangling electrical cords are another temptation for a playful pet.
Hidden Hazards
Household products
Keep cleaners, insecticides, pesticides, herbicides, antifreeze and petroleum in cupboards inaccessible to pets. Spills must be wiped up immediately. This prevents your pets from lapping it up and also avoids paw injuries when they walk the area.
Medicine
Drugs that are okay for dogs aren’t necessarily okay for cats and vice versa. Even a canine flea treatment can be toxic to cats. Never give a drug to a pet without your veterinarian’s approval.
Plants
Lilies of the valley, rhododendrons and azaleas can cause heart problems. Nightshade, Chinese Lantern and ornamental peppers can affect the stomach or brain. Begonias and peace lilies may cause allergic reactions.
EMERGENCY CONTACT
Post our office number and the number to poison control near the phone.
Familiarize yourself with our emergency contact system.
Feeding Facts
A puppy’s energy requirements are nearly twice that of an adult dog of equal size, but a puppy may not have the stomach capacity to eat enough food to meet all of their needs.
Puppies should be fed soft food at least 4 times daily, and the volume they can eat in 10-15 minutes, until they are 3-4 months old.
Another option is free choice feeding, which means you leave dry food down and accessible all the time. The disadvantage to this feeding method is it is harder to monitor changes in appetite. For small puppies they may not be able to chew the dry kibble and eat adequate volumes to meet their energy requirements. Combining the 2 methods is acceptable too.