Preparing to bring your new puppy home

Congratulations - you’re getting a puppy! To help you to settle your puppy into their new home, we’ve teamed up with FirstVet, the 24-hour digital veterinary service, to share some top tips. Read on to learn about what you can expect in the early weeks, and find out what the three most common new puppy health problems are.

The first day with your new puppy

To begin with, your puppy will sleep lots during the day - interspersed with eating, going to the toilet, playtime and cuddles. Make sure your puppy has a nice, warm bed in a quiet space to sleep.

The first night with your puppy

This will be the first time your puppy has been away from their mum and siblings, so they may feel a bit anxious when the lights go out and the house becomes quiet at bedtime. Your puppy will sleep better if they know you are close by, so it may be better to have your puppy sleep in your bedroom to begin with.

What to expect with your new puppy

Here’s three things that often take new puppy owners by surprise:

• Toilet training takes time. Most puppies won’t be fully toilet trained until they are about six months old. Be prepared for lots of accidents. Read our 5 tips to toilet training a puppy.
• Puppies don’t sleep through the night. Puppies need to be trained to sleep at night. Be prepared for a period of sleep deprivation with your new puppy. Read our guide to teaching your puppy to sleep through the night.
• All puppies bite. Biting is normal puppy behaviour during teething, play, exploration and even to soothe themselves to sleep. Your job will be to teach them how to be gentle with their mouth. Read our guide to stopping your puppy from biting.
  
  

Your puppy’s first visit to the vet

After a couple of days, your puppy will need to go to the vet to have their first vaccinations. Your puppy will also be given a general health check. Read about why vaccinations are important.

3 common health questions about young puppies

You’re bound to have some questions and concerns about your new puppy. Here’s three questions that FirstVet are often asked by new puppy owners.

1. My puppy has been sick or has diarrhoea. What should I do?

Stomach upsets in puppies are quite common and can be caused by a change in diet or from eating something they shouldn’t but they can also be a sign of something more serious, like worms or a bacterial infection. If your puppy is sick or has diarrhoea just once but seems otherwise well in themselves, offer them food and water little and often and monitor them closely. If you are concerned, you should speak to a vet.

2. My puppy won’t eat. What should I feed them?

There can be several reasons why a puppy won’t eat, including feeling anxious at mealtimes, being unwell, a change to their diet, or just being fussy. It’s best to speak to a vet if you’re concerned that your puppy isn’t eating. They can advise if your puppy is unwell and needs treatment or suggest ways to encourage your puppy to eat.

3. Has my puppy got worms?

Signs that a puppy has worms can include diarrhoea and vomiting, a pot bellied appearance and lethargy. Worms can be quite serious in young puppies; if you’re worried, it’s best to consult a vet who can advise on the best course of treatment.

If you have any health concerns about your new puppy, book a video call with a FirstVet vet.