About De-sexing in Dogs

Dry skin can be an extremely painful problem for puppies. As soon as skin begins to turn dry, it will also turn itchy. Young puppies won’t be able to resist this itch and will scratch it all day and all night. Scratching these itches can be very harmful and damaging. Scratching leads to cut skin and bleeding, which can then lead to even more severe skin issues. The good news is there are a number of steps you can take to minimise the risk of dry skin and keep your puppy’s coat at its best. Brushing Brushing the coat is one of the best ways to prevent dry skin in puppies. Each time you brush your puppy’s coat it wipes away any dry skin flakes resting on the surface. These skin flakes can cause irritation if left to build up, and this irritation will ultimately lead to your dog scratching.

All puppies go through a teething phase. Puppy teething is when they outgrow their puppy teeth, which are replaced by more permanent, adult teeth. This happens at a different age depending on their breed and size. But the effects of teething are the same: an irritable puppy and damage to your house! In this article, we explore why puppy teething can be a destructive phase and talk you through five steps that can make the whole process easier on both you and your pup. When do puppies start teething? All mammals have to go through a teething stage; this includes both you and your puppy. Unlike humans, puppies begin to start teething at around 16 weeks of age. This means their milk teeth will begin to fall out and new adult teeth will begin to poke through. Once the teething process begins do not be surprised if your dog is chewing everything is sight – this kind of behaviour is completely normal. We recommend you provide your dog with plenty of chew toys throughout this period and praise them for using them, to save your furniture. When do puppies lose their teeth? It usually takes around four months for puppies to go through the whole process of teething. By the age of 7-8 months your puppy should have grown all of their adult teeth, if they’re not all there yet try not to worry too much. However, if it gets to 9 months and there are still some adult teeth missing, we advise you contact your vet. They will be able to access your dog’s mouth and find out if their mouth needs any dental work. Why can puppy teething be so destructive? Puppy teething means discomfort (and sometimes pain) for your pup: their gums may become red and swollen as and their teeth are falling out while new ones erupt. Who wouldn’t be uncomfortable? Your pup handles puppy teething by chewing. Chewing helps ease some of the irritation on their gums (a bit like scratching an itch). Plus, for a puppy their mouth is a bit like your hand; it is what they use to explore and understand the world. Couple that with their natural curiosity and they may start to chew anything and everything in your house. But just because it is nature’s way, it doesn’t mean you have to survive with chewed-up furniture and missing shoes. Keep on reading to find out how to puppy-proof your home from puppy teething. Creating a puppy-proof home when your puppy is teething

Everything you need to know about setting up your puppy with healthy eating habits to last them well into the adulthood. Feeding your puppy Your puppy seems small now, but they have a lot of growing up to do in a short space of time! In just 12 months (up to 24 months for larger breeds) they'll become fully-fledged adults. In the meantime their bodies and brains have to develop incredibly quickly, and plenty of high quality puppy food helps them to get there. They definitely need it, as a healthy, energetic puppy can burn through up to twice as many calories as an adult dog! Feeding your puppy is also an important part of taking care of their health and happiness. Once they are old enough to eat solid food – usually when they are six to eight weeks old – it’s time to introduce a diet specially formulated to meet their needs. What to feed your puppy Specially-formulated puppy foods are the ideal diet for the newest member of your family. This is because they are complete and balanced, which means they contain everything your puppy needs to help them grow up healthily. There’s no need for extra supplements or pieces of human food – in fact, these might do more harm than good, no matter how insistently they show you their puppy-dog eyes! Here is what to look for in the best puppy food:

Good nutrition is essential for all dogs, but it’s especially important for growing puppies who require different nutrients than older dogs. The first year of your puppy’s life is critical to his development. Smaller breeds should receive a specific puppy formula for at least the first year of their lives whereas larger breeds that are still growing at 12 months should continue to receive puppy food until they are 18-24 months. When you’re feeding a puppy, it’s extremely important to not over-feed and to keep him at a healthy weight. Our research has shown that keeping your puppy at his ideal body condition can encourage proper growth and help prevent future health problems related to obesity. Make sure to place your puppy’s food and water bowls in a quiet, clean place that he can easily reach. Find a place that’s out of the way, so he won’t get distracted, and feed him away from places with human food like the stove, the refrigerator, or the dining table. Feeding your puppy the same amount of food at the same time every day can help keep his digestive system regular — and it’ll help make toilet training easier. Puppies eat a lot more food than an adult dog to help support all their rapid growth. From birth up until 6 months a puppy will need two to four times as much food as an adult dog! Puppies need food that helps them grow healthy and strong, and builds their immune system. Food that contains: • Protein for muscle development • Minerals like calcium and phosphorus to support bones and teeth • A good level of fat for growth and energy • Antioxidants for immunity • DHA, which is an omega fatty acid found in mother’s milk that helps with brain development and vision