Puppy Care

Getting a new puppy is incredibly exciting for all the family, but it is easy to forget that it can be stressful for your new pup. Find out how to deal with your puppy’s first day home with Purina. Bringing a puppy home is an exciting one for all the family! You are starting out your new life together with the canine best friend you have always dreamt of. Everything is ready to welcome your new puppy and help them settle in straight away. But there is something many new owners don’t realise. While everyone in the house may be bursting with excitement and desperate to play with the newest member of the family, your puppy’s first day home may look entirely different to them. After all, they’re on their own, away from the mum and their littermates for the first time in their life, in a totally strange place, with people they don’t know. It can be overwhelming for your pup and may be stressful or even frightening for them. Here’s how to help your puppy settle in and find their paws in their new home.

Dogs bring a lot of joy into our lives, but when they fall ill it’s all too easy to worry about the cost of treatment. That’s where dog and puppy insurance comes in! We’re here to help you find the right policy for you and your pet. Veterinary care is improving all the time, but unfortunately, these treatments can be expensive. When your dogs under the weather, the last thing you want to worry about is having enough money to make them well again, which is why dog or puppy insurance is a great idea. Taking out a dog insurance policy can bring you real peace of mind by taking the worry out of many stressful situations. Even so, you’ll need to be careful when choosing the company and policy for your pup, as there can be a wide difference between them – it’s not fun, but this time you really need to read the small print! Have a chat with your vet about pet insurance for dogs and the different types of insurance cover you could benefit from. In the meantime, we’ve put together some things to consider when you’re looking for your new policy to help you on the way.

Dogs are social and crave company by nature – that’s why they bond so well with us. However, if they’re not taught over time how to deal with being alone, this can lead to separation related behaviour problems, commonly known as separation anxiety. Keep reading to discover the common symptoms of separation anxiety, and find out how you can help them overcome it with our useful guide.

Puppies should be at least 8 weeks old when they leave their breeder to start their new life (and smaller breeds often leave their mums later). At this age they are still too young to be fully vaccinated, but there is no doubt there are some really nasty and sometimes life-threatening diseases out there that a puppy needs to be protected from. A new owner’s priority is keeping their new arrival safe and healthy - but most people also know that in these early weeks, their puppy is in an important (and short) developmental phase where socialisation and habituation are also vitally important to help them grow up confident, friendly, without fears and phobias, and to reduce occurrence of future behaviour problems.

Getting a dog is an exciting time for any household! But before fun dog walks, cuddles, and tricks, responsible dog owners must do their part to create a safe sanctuary for their pups. Prepare anddog proofyour homein time for dog day!

Puppies and children can have a loving relationship when introductions are done right. Find out how to get them acquainted with child safety in mind. We want them to get on, but it can be tricky. At Purina, we’ve come up with tips on how to introduce a dog to a baby or child and the first steps to create a loving friendship. First, you’ll need to educate a young child on how to approach dogs with care. Children make sudden movements and high-pitched noises that can intimidate or frighten a dog. They will often treat puppies like cuddly, soft toys. If they’re not taught from the start to be gentle, they’ll probably chase and squeeze them. First, you’ll need to educate a young child on how to approach dogs with care. Children make sudden movements and high-pitched noises that can intimidate or frighten a dog. They will often treat puppies like cuddly, soft toys. If they’re not taught from the start to be gentle, they’ll probably chase and squeeze them. Young children also don’t know when a puppy is scared or uncomfortable. They cannot identify?dogs’ body language?and can’t tell when they’re being aggressive. Tell your child never to poke, squeeze or pull at your dog and only use quiet voices when around them. They shouldn’t wake a sleeping pup as they may snap. For more information on educating your child on dog ownership, visit the Behavior and Training section of the Purina site, for a complete guide on training dogs in the best way we know how.

Dogs usually make firm friends with other dogs easily. But can cats and dogs get along? Here is how to introduce your new dog to other pets. It’s important to introduce your pup to other pets carefully. That’s easier said than done. An older dog can get territorial. And a cat will let you know when they’re not happy with the new housemate. So, how to introduce a puppy to a cat or an older dog? Here is what to do to make a smooth transition for the new arrival and keep fellow pet residents calm during those first interactions. However, remember that some pets like rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters and reptiles are best kept away from dogs.

Getting a new puppy is such an exciting time. Despite all the fun times you’ll be having with your small ball of fur, introducing this new ball of fur and joy to the family can be challenging! To help you prepare for this magical moment, here are some of the things you can look forward to as an owner.