Always Wanted a Puppy? Here Are 5 Things You Need to Know Before Getting One

I’m gonna go on a whim and say that puppies are without a doubt one of the most adorable cuties ever. I mean who can resist those cute little paws or floppy ears, right? ? But just like any pet, welcoming a puppy to your home comes with a bag of responsibilities in ensuring it gets all the help – and TLC – needed to grow into a healthy, happy adult. So, if you’ve always wanted a puppy, here are 5 important things you should take note of before welcoming one into your home.

 

1. You are actually in control of your puppy’s emotional development 

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Having a pet impacts us in positive ways such as bringing us a host of health benefits including improving our mental health. But did you know that you actually play a role in your pup’s emotional development as well?

What you should know:

• Socialising your pup with other canines is crucial during the socialisation period (roughly 3-12 weeks) of your pup’s life to prevent it from developing fearful behaviours such as barking or cowering later on.
• This is when your pup will be taking in information from the world and familiarising itself with its environment.
• Central Park Bandar Utama and Desa Park City Dog Park are great places to let your puppy interact with other adorable puppers.

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2. Ensure you get your puppy licensed under your local municipal council 

Malaysian law requires dog owners to have their pooches licensed, otherwise, you may risk being hit with a fine. Take note as well that laws differ from one region to another, so check with your local municipal council on the procedure.

What you should know:

• Local councils such as the Batu Gajah District Council (MDBG) in Perak require owners to seek the consent of their neighbours before applying for a license.
• Generally, you will need a picture of yourself with your pup, the vaccination form, and the application fee to apply for a license. Some councils such as MBPP allow online applications! 
• Speaking of which, it’s imperative that you get your pup vaccinated at about six to eight weeks of age until it is four months old to ensure it is well protected against diseases.

 

3. You think you’re the only one that needs to brush your teeth ah? Your pup needs to, too! 

Just like your own, your pup’s dental health should also be taken seriously to avoid the build-up of plaque and gum diseases such as gingivitis later on.

What you should know:

• Human toothpaste is poisonous for puppies due to the high levels of fluoride.
• Use toothpaste formulated for dogs. If you can’t get a toothbrush made specifically for dogs, human toothbrushes with soft bristles are also acceptable.
• Brushing your pup’s teeth regularly (about once a week) can help cultivate a good teeth cleaning routine by getting it used to brushing early on.

 

4. Puppies require A LOT more attention 

 

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There are plenty of ways puppies differ from a full-grown dog thus requiring more training and attention. Taking note of the following will help determine if you’re ready to own one.

What you should know:

• A puppy’s digestive system is not fully developed yet and because of this, they are automatically more prone to digestive issues such as diarrhea; so be careful with what you feed your puppies!
• Puppies are born with almost no antibodies and an immature immune system thus requiring additional support from the nutrients present in puppy foods.
• Puppies’ energy requirements are higher than adult dogs thus needing stricter diet control. For example, vets encourage calorie-concentrated kibbles for puppies to suit their energy requirements. However, too much of this can cause obesity which will then lead to joint problems. So, always ensure you control your pup’s diet.

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5. Feeding your puppy adult dog food and table scraps is a huge no-no

Not only do these practices pose a risk to your pup’s well-being, it can also lead to unwanted behaviours later on.

Here’s what you should know:

• Human foods such as chocolate, grapes, raisins, garlic, and onions are actually toxic to canines. FYI, feeding your pup table scraps can lead to unwanted begging when they’re an adult too!
• It’s unwise to feed a puppy adult dog food as puppies have distinct nutrient needs.
• Feed them puppy-specific food like Royal Canin puppy, which contains the necessary nutrients to support growth and protect the immune system.

What’s great about the Royal Canin puppy range is that each product is formulated to suit puppies of all shapes and sizes.

So, whether you own a Chihuahua or Golden Retriever, you’re sure to find a product just right for your little one!

For instance, Royal Canin’s X-small Puppy is great for puppies of a smaller breed as it provides immune system support, eases digestion, and is packed with the necessary nutrients to meet the energy needs of very small breed puppies during the growth period.

Not only that, there are even Royal Canin Puppy foods for mini, medium, and maxi puppies as well. Find out more here!

And if you haven’t heard already, you can stand a chance to win a one-month supply of Royal Canin puppy food just by taking part in their Facebook contest from 11 February to 31 March 2019! Think about all the savings wei!

Here’s how to enter:

1. Click here and fill in the contest registration form.
2. Once submitted, comment “I have entered the Royal Canin Puppy & Kitten Recruitment Contest” on the Royal Canin’s FB contest post.
3. Share the contest post on your Facebook timeline.

What are you waiting for? Don’t miss out on this contest and be sure to check out the Royal Canin website for further information on how you can ensure your pup is getting all the support it needs.

Psst! Before you go, check out this adorable video of a cute little pupper which we can’t get enough of! ?