11/8/2023 0 Comments New lab puppy checklist![]() The puppy vaccination series is one of the most important aspects of your dog's early life. Just like human babies, puppies (and kittens) need basic immunizations to take over when maternal antibodies fade. Vaccines protect your puppy and other dogs from potentially fatal illnesses. With many of these, illness and injury fall outside of preventative care and need to be planned for separately. Another option that may help with planning costs is through some veterinary hospitals, which offer pet care plans with monthly membership fees to cover preventative care options. Additionally, pet insurance can be quite costly and so another option is to instead set aside a certain amount of money into a savings account dedicated to your pet's care, in place of monthly insurace payments. Most of these plans cover some portion of their specificed list of illnesses and injuries, but do not cover necessary preventative care (ie. To help keep your puppy's expenses down, you may consider purchasing pet health insurance, which could cover up to 80 percent of your dog's health care costs for many illnesses or injuries. Your vet can help identify any potential health problems early on, and advise you on caring for your dog long-term. The initial visit also opens the doors of communication with you and your vet. Typically, puppies should be spayed or neutered at around six - twelve months of age to avoid certain health risks like breast tumors, pyometra and behavioral issues, as well as certain types of cancers. This begins with puppy vaccines and usually leads to spaying or neutering. Over the course of your puppy's first six months, you will see a lot of your vet. Take steps to make it a good experience so your puppy will be less likely to fear the vet's office. ![]() Within a few days of taking your new puppy home, you should bring it to your vet for a general exam. ![]() Preferably, you will find a veterinarian before you get a puppy. While costs vary, overall costs in owning a dog and taking proper training and medical care can come out to over $10,000 over the dog's lifespan (typically 10-15 yrs). Be sure to allow extra money in your budget for unexpected costs, and even consider establishing a savings account for health care, both preventative and in case of illness or injury. It's also important to properly prepare for the expenses associated with dog ownership. A kennel can be purchased in a larger size for the future but should be blocked off with boxes or other objects to make it the right size for the puppy. Collars may be adjustable up to a certain point. Some of these items can last as your puppy ages but many of them will need to be replaced as your puppy grows. You should also get a comfortable dog bed and, preferably, a crate or kennel. Most important items include a leash and collar with identification, food and water bowls, and chew toys. Some are essential for your pup's well-being, while others are quite helpful. Your new puppy will need certain items from the very start. Proper puppy-proofing not only keeps your puppy safe, but it also gives you peace of mind. It's a good idea to keep your dog away from the kitchen (especially the trash can) and the stairs. Install durable baby gates or pet gates if needed to keep your puppy away from certain rooms of your home. These should be chew-proof and require opposable thumbs to operate. It's best to secure lower cabinets and drawers with locks or metal hardware. ![]() Remember that your puppy can jump, climb, chew, and scratch, so place what you can very high up or in a locked cabinet.īe aware that "child-safe" latches do not tend to work on curious and determined puppies. Electrical cords, potential toxins, and breakable items should be placed completely out of reach. The puppy-proofing process is similar to toddler-proofing a home, but there are differences.įirst, get an idea of the puppy-eye-view of your home. Before you bring home your cute little furball, you need to ensure that your home is as safe as possible, both for your new puppy and your belongings.
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