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Grooming

Contrary to popular belief, grooming your puppy is not a luxury, it’s a necessity. In this respect, pets are just like humans; their need for hygienic pampering goes beyond looking good and smelling great. Introduce puppies to regular grooming from an early age.

Grooming your puppy for a few minutes each day can protect his skin and coat, making him less vulnerable to disease. So it's important to get him used to being handled from an early age. While you're grooming it is also useful to check his eyes and ears for any discharge and his teeth and paws for any signs of bleeding or foreign objects. Any problems you can see can then be dealt with quickly by your vet.

Brushing is usually enough to keep your puppy's coat healthy. A dog's coat has natural oils that keep it waterproof and in good health. Too much bathing can remove these oils and make his coat appear dull, so only wash him when he really needs it. Don't use human shampoo to wash your puppy as it can be too harsh for his skin, instead stick to specially prepared dog shampoo.

Dental Care

Believe it or not, dogs need dental care as much as people do. And, just like people, they have to have their teeth regularly brushed and cleaned. It’s not simply a question of maintaining a nice smile or avoiding 'dog breath'. Periodontal disease is one of the biggest health problems for dogs

So what can you do to keep your puppy's teeth in peak condition?

Give his mouth a health check. Simply lift up his lip and take a look. Plaque appears as a brownish-red discoloration close to the gum line. This can lead to bad breath and worse, including damage to the jawbones and also loss of teeth.

If your puppy is developing a dental problem, the first thing to do is to have his teeth properly cleaned by your vet. The procedures used are similar to those we go through when we visit the dentist.

To avoid dental problems, brush his teeth regularly. You can brush your puppy's teeth with a puppy specific tooth brush but for ease you can alternatively use a dental chew. This can lead to significant reductions in the accumulation of plaque and calculus, Furthermore, they are tasty as well as healthy, so daily cleaning can be a treat instead of a chore.

Parenthood or Pethood?

If you’re not planning to breed your dog, have him neutered by the age of six months.

Chewing

To the average puppy everything is a new chewing opportunity! Chewing plays an important part in a puppy's development. It's their way of learning about their world and it helps to build strong, healthy teeth, gums and jaw muscles.

So, make sure he's got a good selection of chew toys and treats that are specifically designed for a young puppy's teeth. Ideally provide him with something that won't splinter or be swallowed accidentally, isn't too tough for puppy teeth, is non-toxic and durable. Move anything that you don't want chewed out of his reach!