For the first few days it is advisable to feed your puppy on the same food it is used to. When your puppy has settled in you can gradually change the diet if you wish to. At PowisVets we recommend feeding a high quality puppy food. We sell Royal Canin VCN diets.

These are designed to satisfy all your dog’s needs from the beginning of its life to the end. Come in and ask our staff about the range.

Small puppies (8-12 weeks old) need four meals a day which can be gradually reduced to two meals by the time your dog is 6 months old.

Your puppy needs vaccinating against distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus and leptospirosis. Your puppy should have a primary course of two vaccinations 2-4 weeks apart. We recommend that your puppy doesn’t go out into public areas until 7 days after their second injection.

Each year your dog will need a booster vaccination which is a chance for it to have a full health check and make sure it is in tip top condition.

Worming. Your puppy should be wormed every 2 weeks until 3 months old, then once a month until 6 months old. Afterwards regular worming at least every three months is recommended to protect your dog and family.

Fleas, Mites and Ticks. Fleas are common in puppies and adult dogs. Both fleas and mites can cause severe itching and skin infections. Fleas also transmit tapeworm. Spot on products can be used to treat and prevent flea infestations.
Lungworm is also present in this area, please read our Lungworm article for more information.

Effective, safe veterinary products for fleas and worms can be purchased from reception provided your dog has been seen by one of our vets within a reasonable period. This is a legal requirement for all prescription medications.

We recommend dogs and bitches are neutered at 6 months old. This prevents unwanted pregnancies but also has some health benefits for your pets.

Neutered (castrated) males have a reduced chance of certain cancers and prostate problems. Spaying (ovarohysterectomy) your female puppy before she is 2 can reduce mammary gland cancers and prevent pyometra (womb infection) in later life.

If you are considering breeding from your pet then weigh up the pros and cons. If you do decide to breed remember if things do not go according to plan it can be expensive and possibly detrimental to your pet.

Moving to a new home can be a stressful time for your puppy. Make sure your puppy has a private place to go to if it is tired or a bit scared, a soft warm bed in a puppy basket or crate is ideal.

Make sure no one disturbs the puppy when it is in the bed.

The socialisation period for puppies lasts from when they are born to 17 weeks of age. It is really important to get them out and about meeting other dogs and people as soon as it is safe to do so.

Your puppy will need lots of toys to keep it occupied. Choose toys that can be chewed safely to help clean teeth. You can start basic training as soon as you get home.

Spend time grooming your puppy and getting it used to having its ears, eyes, mouth and feet handled. This helps to establish a strong bond with your puppy and makes it easier to spot signs of illness earlier.