Good Basic Feeding Tips (For Boxers that are prone to bloat their dry food should be soaked in water an few hours before feeding)

 

Feed your puppy the same kind of food every day. Unlike humans, a dog's digestive system cannot handle changes in food. It can cause upset stomach and diarrhea.

 

When switching to a new food, gradually transition him to the new food by mixing portions of both foods until you slowly phase the old food out. Your puppy may experience diarrhea if his food is suddenly changed.

 

Feed your puppy at the same time every day.

 

Always have fresh drinking water available.

 

Keep food and water bowls clean.

 

Don't overfeed your puppy.

 

Follow the guidelines on the puppy food package for recommended feeding amounts.

 

Monitor your puppy's weight and activity level, and make feeding adjustments as necessary.

 

Don't be alarmed if your puppy's appetite changes. It is normal for your puppy to lose his appetite or experience digestive upset occasionally. If your puppy's upset stomach becomes severe or last longer than a day or two, contact your veterinarian.

 

If you are mixing water to dry food you should mix 4 parts dry food to 1 part water. 

 

 

 

The first ingredient in your puppy's food should be a "Meat".  Not a "Meat Meal" or Meat By-Product, but the real thing.  Puppies were not meant to primarily eat Corn and Wheat.  If the first ingredient in your dog food is a Corn, Wheat,  Meat-MEAL or Meat-By-Product  Steer clear.  The first ingredient represents what the dog food is most made out of.  By-Products are the left overs, such as the Eyes, Hooves, Skin and Feet (unless the dog food specifically stats otherwise.) 

 

Good Basic Feeding Tips

 

Dogs should be fed at the same time every day. Feeding at the same time will keep your dog on a bathroom schedule. Ask your vet how many times a day you should feed your dog.

Feed your dog the same type and brand of food every day. Unlike humans, a dog digestive system cannot handle changes in food. It can cause upset stomach and diarrhea.

When switching to a new food gradually transition him to a new food by mixing portions of both foods until you slowly phase the old food out. Your dog may experience diarrhea if his food is suddenly changed.

If you are mixing water to dry food you should mix 4 parts dry food to 1 part water.

Keep fresh Drinking water available at all times. Change the water at least once day, more for dogs who drool.

Keep food and water bowls clean.

Don't overfeed your dog.

Follow the guidelines on the dog food package for recommended feeding amounts.

 

Monitor your dog's weight and activity level, and make feeding adjustments as necessary.

Some dogs can do well on self-feeders. If your dog is overweight, or if he is going to the bathroom inside the house, you may want to get him on a feeding schedule.

 

 

Interesting bits of info...

 

Dogs have about 1,700 taste buds. Humans have about 9000 taste buds, and cats have about 470.

 

Dogs have water taste buds, something humans do not have.

 

Dogs don't crave salt the way humans do.

 

 

 

All puppies are different but the general advice is:

 

· 4 times daily until 8 weeks of age

· 3 times daily until 16 weeks of age

· Twice daily until 6 months of age

· Once a day when adults

 

WHAT ABOUT WORMING?

Puppies need a lot of worming, it is very easy for puppies to pick up worms, young puppies have a weak immune system and can easily die from worm infestations. You should worm your puppy as follows:

 

<12 wks – every 2 weeks (it is at this age that puppies are most vulnerable to worms)

3-6 mths – every months

>6 mths – every 3 months

 

Worming will usually be the first experience in giving your puppy a tablet. Some worming preparations come in liquid eg; drontal liquid or cube meat form – Canex Cubes. It is good training to learn to give your dog a tablet from an early age, always give a reward once a tablet has been given. Your breeder, pet product supplier or vet will be able to advise you which wormer is best and easiest for you to use.

 

WHEN SHOULD I VACCINATE??

How many vaccinations your puppy requires will depend on what age your puppy receives its first vaccine. Generally 3 vaccines are given at:

 

1st 6-8 wks

2nd 12-14 wks

3rd 16-18 wks

 

You will need to consult your veterinarian to establish a vaccination protocol for your puppy. Keep your puppy confined to your yard until fully vaccinated. Many viruses can survive in the soil for months – don’t assume your puppy will be safe if it doesn’t meet other dogs.

 

 

HEARTWORM - HOW DO I PREVENT IT? * Heartworm is spread my mosquitos *

Heartworm is a killer disease spread by mosquitoes, many dogs sadly still die from heartworm and it can be so easily prevented. Every dog must be on heartworm prevention from 12 weeks of age. Again there is a huge range of product to protect your dog from heartworm, all of them work very well when used as instructed.

 

A quick summary of Heartworm Preventatives:

* MONTHLY TABLETS – Still the most popular for preventing heartworm – there is a huge range of different products available, there is a catalogue in this puppy pack with all the different Heartworm products.

* MONTHLY SPOT ON – Applied exactly as for the flea control, these Spot on combine both flea and heartworm prevention. These are 100% effective and particularly helpful for those dogs who are difficult with tablets.

* DAILY TABLETS – Still very effective but MUST be remembered every day, can you trust yourself never to forget?

 

If your dog is overdue to heartworm medication, please consult your veterinarian before giving a preventative, some preventative medications can cause a reaction if your dog has contracted heartworm disease.