- Bring home a new puppy at around 45 days of age and get the primary vaccination done for Parvovirus and Distemper yourself. Never rely on the breeder that he has done the necessary vaccinations.
- After arriving at your home, the puppy may be upset or overplayful. In both cases, don’t leave your puppy alone for the first few days.
- Never leave your puppy and children alone, as children may unknowingly hurt the puppy and the puppy may bite them.
- Don’t swear by the tips of a foreign writer’s book on pets. Indian conditions are different, and most of the tips from abroad are likely to be deleterious for your pet.
- Don’t change the feed of your pet abruptly. Do it gradually and give him time to adjust.
- Fresh home-made dog food works great if your vet recommends it. Also, consult your vet to know which supplements can be given in addition to home-cooked meals.
- If giving fresh homemade food is not possible or if you are too busy to cook separate food for your pet, then go for premium commercial pet food.
- Always take your puppy outside to relieve him after a meal. This is necessary for toilet training.
- In the hot summer months, bathe your pet every fortnight.
- Deworm your pet every 3 months, even if they don’t go outside too much.
- Never feed your pet forbidden foods such as rasins, chocolates. coffee, raw fish, raw eggs, and alcoholic beverages
- Feeding your dog cat food is a big ‘NO’.
- Never let any dog breeder, a pet shop owner, or a pet medicine shop owner vaccinate or give any medicine to your pet. Let the job be done by a qualified veterinarian.
- Bringing home a pet is a full-time responsibility. Don’t commit to it if you’re not ready for it physically, emotionally, and financially.
- Never leave your pet unattended in your car for long, even with the windows open.
- Daily exercise is a must for your pet! So, have a fitness routine for not just yourself, but your furry friend.
- Trim the hair between the toes as it often collects dirt and later becomes a site for ticks and mites.
- If you ever find your pet is drinking too much water, consult your vet; it might be an indication of an underlying health condition, like renal failure
- Give commercially available, specially formulated dental treats to your pet to keep their teeth healthy.
- Don’t disturb your pet while he is eating; you might get bitten.
- Never approach your pet showing white of his eye, as there are chances of getting bitten.
- Always wake your pet from sleep by calling his name and never by shaking him.
- And finally, needless to say, shower your pet with lots and lots of love!
(Dr. Suranjan Sarkar – Pluto Pet Clinic, Ranchi)
