How much are you feeding your puppy? If you are simply going from the packaging label recommendations, you may be feeding your puppy too much or too little.
Worried that increasing your puppy's food intake could cause him to gain weight? This is a valid concern, as extra weight is responsible for health problems in many animals. It is important to make sure that your puppy is getting additional exercise when his food intake increases.
Obesity in dogs is easier to avoid than to correct. If your puppy is being overfed, start slowly reducing his food until his weight becomes acceptable. If you aren't sure what this is, be sure to have a vet take a look. If your puppy needs to eat more, increase his food for a couple of weeks until his weight gets to where it should be, than sustain the amount.
An overweight (or underweight) dog is more likely to get sick than a dog at a healthy weight. Starting your puppy out at a healthy weight while he is young will help him now and later.
You should also check your puppy's temperature two or three times each week. This will alert you if he is getting a fever. A dog's temperature should be between 99.5 and 102.5 degrees.
Your vet can show you how to take a dog's temperature. The thermometer will need to be inserted into the rectum, so be sure to have plenty of mineral oil or petroleum jelly on hand.
Wait three minutes then pull the thermometer out slowly and read the results. The mercury level will rise to the accurate temperature. If your puppy is running a fever, you'll want to call your vet immediately and arrange to have him seen.
Make absolutely certain that you purchase a rectal thermometer for this purpose! An oral thermometer is likely to give you a false reading and make you think your puppy is sick when he is not. Now have fun getting your puppy off to a healthy start!
See additional articles by this writer about items including unfinished hardwood floors and discount hardwood floor.
Posted under Dogs
This post was written by Adrian Bale on April 26, 2010
