Puppy
Give your new pet an amazing start in life
In the first year of your puppy’s life, the decisions you make as an owner will help shape the lifelong health and happiness of your pet. At PURINA® PRO PLAN® we’re here to support you every step of the way – with expert advice on all-round care, as well as diets scientifically tailored to your pet’s changing nutritional needs.
0-3 months old: time with mother and you
Vets and breeders recommend puppies should stay with their mother and littermates until at least 8-12 weeks of age. Spending this time learning and socialising with family members is crucial for your puppy’s long-term mental and emotional health.
The weeks before you welcome your puppy to its new home are an opportunity to prepare and think about the important practical things like nutrition.
Need to know
Your dog’s nutritional requirements will change at every life stage. As a puppy, your dog will need three times more calories per kilogram of body weight than an adult, plus much higher levels of protein, vitamins and minerals.
The PURINA® PRO PLAN® range offers three diets expertly tailored to the specific needs of different puppies:
• PURINA® PRO PLAN Puppy with OPTISTART for all-round health and strong natural defences
• PURINA® PRO PLAN Puppy with OPTIDIGEST for extra support with delicate digestion
• PURINA® PRO PLAN Puppy with OPTIDERMA for puppies with sensitive skin
Don’t forget to:
3 months old: welcome home
What you can do
• Feed your puppy three to four times a day with the same food he was weaned on.
• Take him outside for elimination as soon as he wakes up, after each meal and every hour.
• Introduce him to your family and get him used to being touched and held. This will relax him and also make visits to the vet less stressful.
Check with your vet
• Worming treatment.
• All the right vaccinations
• Treatment against parasites (fleas, ticks, etc.)
Need to know
In the first five months of life, puppies’ natural defences are not fully matured. PURINA® PRO PLAN® with OPTISTART® helps to bridge this ‘immunity gap’ with colostrum – mother’s first milk – to help strengthen your puppy’s natural defences.
Your first puppy?
Don't forget to:
Get your dog used to being handled right from the beginning. This will make grooming, bathing and vet visits much less stressful later.
4 months old: growing up fast
What you can do
• Satisfy your puppy’s natural need to bite on things with non-destructible, non-toxic toys.
• Keep small objects and electric cables from away from him.
• Let your puppy socialise with other dogs, as long as they’ve been vaccinated
• Think about a “puppy class” and training classes at 14-16 weeks old
• When he’s between 14–16 weeks old, it’s a good idea to start looking for training classes. This is a critical learning stage.
Check with your vet
• Check ideal body shape, neither under nor overweight.
• Bone, joint and teeth development.
• Overall size check is especially important in large dogs at this stage.
Need to know
Dogs, like humans, benefit from probiotic supplements of live bacteria – such as PURINA® PRO PLAN® VETERINARY DIETS Canine FortiFlora® (link to product). Sprinkled on your puppy’s normal food, FortiFlora® helps improve the microflora balance in the gut. This promotes intestinal health, good quality stools and a stronger immune system.
Don’t forget to:
5 months old: the awkward phase
What you can do
• Take the feeding bowl away after fifteen minutes. Don’t leave it out for him all day.
• If your puppy’s teeth appear painful, give him new toys to chew.
• Get him used to respond to your commands, words and gestures.
• Reward him as you train him. Puppy kibbles are great but don’t overfeed.
Check with your vet
• Check ideal body shape, neither underweight nor overweight.
• Bone, joint and teeth development.
• Worming treatment.
• All the right vaccinations for age and needs.
• Treatment against parasites (fleas, ticks, etc.)
6 months old: finding himself
What you can do
• Establish clear rules for your puppy at home.
• Increase food portions while decreasing the number of meals to two or three daily.
• Start playing with him for longer and introduce him to new toys.
Check with your vet
• Check ideal body shape, neither underweight nor overweight.
• Bone, joint and teeth development.
7 months old: a new look
What you can do
• Brush your puppy’s teeth regularly to avoid the build-up of Tartar.
• Don’t brush his fur too often, as this could damage his skin.
• Try to stick to his regular daily exercise routine, even if you’re busy.
• Check there are no small thorns or spines from plants in his fur after his outdoor play.
• Check for other irritants, especially around the ears and between the toes of the paws
8 months old: young adulthood
What you can do
Check with your vet
• Check ideal body shape, neither underweight nor overweight.
• Bone, joint and teeth development.
9 months old: a grown-up world
Need to know
What you can do
• Keep on training your puppy to respond to your commands.
• Make sure he has clear rules and fixed habits at home
Check with your vet
• Check ideal body shape, neither underweight nor overweight.
• Bone, joint and teeth development.
10 months old: growing more slowly
What you can do
• Check his development regularly.
• Keep feeding him food made for puppies.
• He continues to need stimulation. Keep exploring new experiences with him.
Check with your vet
• Check ideal body shape, neither underweight nor overweight.
• Bone, joint and teeth development.
11 months old: keep building
Your puppy is continuing to grow. And, in spite of his size, he is not quite fully adult. He continues to rely on you as he develops.
What you can do
• Feed him with a product specially formulated for puppies until at least his twelfth month.
• Carry on building your relationship with consistent rules and clear commands. Your puppy continues learning from you even when you aren’t consciously teaching him anything.
• Take him out in your car and on public transport expeditions, following the rules that apply to animals
12 months old: happy birthday!
What you can do
• Pay attention to every change in his appetite and faeces.
• Trust your instincts if you notice any changes in your puppy. You know him and his behaviours well. Watch him carefully. In particular, pay attention to changes in his appetite and faeces. Make a list of questions to ask your vet
Check with your vet
• Check ideal body shape, neither underweight nor overweight. Ensure it aligns with his size as a small, medium or large dog.
• Bone, joint and teeth development. Teeth continue to grow in adulthood.