Cheap Pet Insurance

April 19th, 2010 by Adrian Bale

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.

It is critical to avoid having an obese dog by feeding your puppy the right amount. If your puppy is getting overweight or is overfed, start reducing his calories each day until his weight reaches an ideal 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.

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.

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.

The thermometer will only need to stay in the rectum for three minutes. If your puppy’s temperature is higher than it should be, be sure to take him to 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!

See various other educational articles created by this same author dealing with products such as unfinished hardwood floors and discount hardwood floor.