Growing puppies must have the right amount of food each day. While packaging labels provide general guidelines, this may not be specific enough to truly meet the needs of your puppy.
As you increase your puppy’s food intake, you’ll need to also make sure that he gets more exercise. Otherwise, he may become overweight, which can create numerous health problems, including heart problems, respiratory problems, and muscular problems.
If your puppy is eating too little, start increasing his food intake slowly over a period of two weeks. If at that time he reaches an ideal weight, you can keep the food amount there. Do the opposite for an overfed dog.
A puppy at a healthy weight is less likely to get sick then overweight and underweight puppies. Being at a weight that is too high or two low weakens the puppy’s immune system.
Are you taking your puppy’s temperature? This is important so you can nip any fever in the bud. Your puppy’s temperature should range from 99.5 – 102.5 degrees. You should check a couple of times each week.
Do you know how to take a dog’s temperature? Simply lubricate the thermometer with petroleum jelly or mineral oil before sliding it into the rectum. Not too far – about half-way will do it.
Three minutes will do it – any more and your puppy may get uncomfortable! Hopefully your puppy is not running a fever, but if he is, he should be seen by the vet right away.
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!
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