puppy

guide
The essentials for a good start in life
puppy
care training
4 Preparing for your new puppy 32 Behavior and training
5 Puppy’s first things 33 Basic commands
6 At home together 35 Travel training
7 Dental care
8
9
Puppy hygiene
Grooming health care
38 Preventative health care

nutrition 39
41
Parasite prevention
Growth rates and weight gain
12 The science of nutrition 42 Disease prevention
13 Nutritional objectives 43 Spaying and neutering
14 Nutrient guide
15
18
Physiological differences
How to feed your puppy first aid
19 How to feed your dog 46 First aid for dogs
20 MINI/MEDIUM/MAXI/GIANT Dogs Dogs
X-SMALL/MINI/MEDIUM/MAXI/GIANT 48 Emergency action steps
25 Royal Canin for your puppy 50 Poisonous substances
52 CPR for dogs
54 My pets information
 Preparing for your new puppy 4
Puppy’s first things 5
At home together 6
Dental care 7
Puppy hygiene 8

care
Grooming 9

puppycareguide
 care

l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l
preparing for l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l

Use st..a..in
less stee
................
l fo o d a
................
nd w..a
........ ..
ter b..o..w
.. .. ..
tags and
..
ls
................
identific
................
ation

your new puppy ............

.............. p ro p e r .. .. .. .. ..
..
y o u r p u ppy with .. .. .. .. .. .. ..............
Outfit ............
.............. brushes,
.............. puppy to
.............. si n g y o u r
p o
At last, the puppy you’ve wanted for so long is finally here. Begin ex es
nd leash
This is an exciting time for you, but it can also be a stressful collars a
time of adjustment for your new pet. He will be leaving the
security of his mother and littermates and experiencing a
Puppy’s
multitude of new sights, sounds and smells. Here are some tips
to help you get your new puppy settled into his new home.
first things
Puppy-proof your home Basic equipment before your puppy’s arrival

Indoors Stainless steel food and water bowls

Before you bring your puppy home, you’ll need to get your house ready Teething puppies will chew anything in sight, which can be a problem when
for its new resident. Electrical cords should be hidden or wrapped to using plastic bowls. Stainless steel food and water bowls are durable and do not
prevent him from chewing them. Items you don’t want your puppy to rust, break or chip, and they’re also more sanitary than plastic bowls.
have should be stored in a place that he can’t access, like a closet or Find a permanent place for your puppy’s bowls.
cabinet with a door you can keep closed. And poisonous household
products (like those used for cleaning or for auto maintenance, including Sleeping place
antifreeze) should be safely stored where your puppy can’t get to them. Having his own space will help your puppy get used to his new home and help
him feel safe, take refuge and sleep. Provide a comfortable bed or puppy crate in
Outdoors a quiet corner.
Inspect your lawn for holes or gaps in your fence where your puppy
could escape, and remove all chemical fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides Collar and leash
and poisonous plants. (Ask your veterinarian for a list of plants that It’s important to start using a collar and leash right away so your puppy can get
should be kept out of your puppy’s reach.) used to them. Make sure that the collar, complete with an identification tag, is
snug enough not to slip over his head, but not too tight.
Choose a veterinarian
It is important to have an initial checkup, so select a veterinarian before Brush and comb
your new puppy comes home. If you don’t already have a vet, friends or Grooming your puppy regularly teaches him to like being handled by people
family members with pets can be good sources of recommendations. and will make the task of grooming easier for both of you as he grows bigger
and stronger.

Puppy toys
on
ry visit so ................
...........
veterina e Rubber toys are almost indestructible and may
Sch e d u le a
o u r p u p p y h o
..
m
.......... .................. last for years. Choose a smaller size for young
ging y ............
after ..b..ri..n...................... e and ou
tside ...
................
.. me, insid .............. puppies (helpful during teething), and a larger
f y o u r h o .. .. .. .. .. .. .............. size for large puppies. Choose only safe toys,
roo ..............
..
Puppy-p ..............
.. .. .. .. .. .............. b y g a te s and discard them when they show signs
.......... .. d ba
locks an danger of wear or damage.
Use child our puppy from
c t y
to prote

puppycareguide 5
 care

................
e a rl y .. .. .. ........................
ntal care ................
Begin....d..e...................... e design
ed
................
sh a n d toothpast
othbru ..........
Use a to ..............
e c ia lly for dogs .. .. .. .. .. .. ..............
esp ........ h week
.............. mes eac
.............. several ti
.............. te e th
ppy’s
Brush pu

l l l l l l l l l l l l l l at home
together dental care l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l

Introducing puppy to children Temporary teeth in puppies

Children often don’t understand the need to be very careful with The milk teeth fall out easily. Don’t worry about trying to find them as he
a puppy, so a responsible adult should always supervise. When you sheds them. Puppies actually swallow most of them and excrete them
bring your puppy home, have the children sit down and let the puppy naturally without any problems.
come to them.
Caring for teeth
Introducing older dogs Start dental care when your puppy is very young, so he can
• If you have an older dog who has lived in the house for a long get accustomed to having his teeth brushed. By starting
time, he may be resistant to sharing his space with a new puppy. early, you’ll have an easier time managing his dental health
Try introducing the dogs in a neutral area, such as a park, where your as he grows older. The main risk of infection is due to the
older dog may not be so protective. Make sure both dogs are on tartar formed by bacteria calcifying on the teeth. To prevent
leashes and that you are able to control them. Let them sniff tartar deposits, use a toothbrush and toothpaste designed especially
and investigate each other. for dogs. Try to brush your puppy’s teeth several times each week.
• Don’t scold the older dog if he doesn’t react the way you want
him to right away. Give him plenty of time to get used to the puppy. Teething Phase Eruption
• Animals have their own rules, and your older pet will certainly let Temporary Teeth 1 month
your young puppy know what the rules are. Everyone must be
allowed a territory where they are not disturbed. Cats, in particular,
must be allowed to rest in peace and quiet out of the puppy’s reach Permanent Teeth 4 months
and to get acquainted with their new housemate on their own terms.
Permanent Canine Teeth 5-6 months
Supervised exploration
Let your puppy explore his new home,
e p re se nt but only under your supervision.
lways b
n a d u lt should a it h a p uppy................. The first day, block off your puppy
A w
ren p..la..y........................
..
in the rooms where you spend
n c h ild
whe .................... of the
................ p y to th e areas the most time. Reinforcing
o n fi n e the pup d th e m ost tim
.. ..
e
.. .. .. .. acceptable behavior often just
C you sp e n
..............
..
house where
.. .. .. .. .. .. .............. p e ts means preventing misbehavior.
............ existing
.............. u p p y to
e the p
Introduc refully
d u a ll y and ca
gra

puppycareguide 7
 care

puppy
hygiene
grooming
l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l

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Bathing Brushing and combing

The frequency of baths will vary according to the coat texture No matter what type of coat a puppy has, his hair will die and
and length. Lukewarm water should be used, along with a shed and new hair will grow in its place. Regular brushing and
shampoo that’s clearly labeled as safe for puppies. Use care to bathing will help remove dead hair. The frequency and the type
keep water and shampoo out of your puppy’s eyes and ears. of equipment used will vary depending on the nature of the coat.
After each bath, towel dry him thoroughly and keep him in a
warm room until he’s completely dry to prevent illness. Short-haired
Although a short coat might not require intensive
Nail trimming
grooming, brushing once or twice a week helps to
Puppies need proper nail care early in life in order to get them
maintain a healthy, shiny coat.
off on the right foot for a lifetime of stress-free nail trimming.
Use a specially designed dog nail-clipper. Hold your puppy’s Medium-haired
foot and gently push down with your thumb at the base of
each nail. Beginning at the tip of the nail, cut back just a little Because of the coat density (both undercoat and topcoat),
at a time until you get close to the quick, the pink part. Be this puppy should be brushed every other day.
very careful. If you cut too far, you’ll cut the quick, resulting in
Long-haired
pain and bleeding. So keep styptic powder handy to help stop
any bleeding. The long-haired puppy requires daily brushing.
Proceed delicately to avoid injuring his sensitive skin.

Shedding season
y’s Outdoor dogs shed their coat twice a year (Spring and Fall),
yo ur pupp corresponding to seasonal changes in daylight. Indoor
will keep ...........
Brushing and healthy ........................ dogs are not as affected by changes in light, so they shed hair
in y .. .. .. ..
coat sh .............. .
.............. y-safe shampo
o .............. throughout the year, with periods of increased shedding
.............. p u p p .. .. .. .. .. .. .............. in Spring and Fall.
Use on..ly........................ rly
..............
.... s regula
u r p u p py’s nail
Trim yo

puppycareguide 9
 The science of nutrition 12
Nutritional objectives 13
Nutrient guide 14
Physiological differences 15
How to feed your puppy 18
How to feed your dog 19
X-SMALL/MINI/MEDIUM/MAXI and GIANT 20
Royal Canin for your puppy 25

puppycareguide nutrition
 nutrition

the science of
l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l nutrition l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l

Food choice
Nutrition has four objectives: body development, energy provision, nourishment for
prevention and nourishment for recovery. Royal Canin, a leader in health nutrition has
The principles of nutrition applied this knowledge to our Canine Health Nutrition formulas. Our nutritional approach
A puppy’s food not only has to supply him with combines just the right amounts of approximately 50 nutrients in a single food to satisfy
energy, but it also has to build and maintain the these four nutritional objectives and meet the real needs of dogs.
body’s cells to help prevent eventual digestive,
joint and age-related problems. To fulfill these
objectives, his diet must be precisely formulated The Four Objectives of Canine Nutrition
to meet his specific nutritional needs.
Quantities of proteins, minerals, vitamins, fats and Nutrition

1
carbohydrates must be exact, neither too much or
too little. A high-quality, nutritional food, meeting
Body Development
Nutritional needs for the development and
the demands of Health Nutrition, will combine just maintenance of the body require certain amino and
the right amounts of all of these nutrients. If fed fatty acids, minerals, vitamins and trace elements.
nutrients in the wrong proportions, your puppy could
suffer from major nutritional deficiencies or excesses,

2
resulting in improper growth and possible
Energy Provision
long-term damage to his health. Lipids and carbohydrates are the main energy
sources for dogs.

an Health Nutrition
ssional c
are profe ur puppy

3
p e t c .........
arian o r
t for yo ................ Nourishment and Prevention
A veterin on the best d..ie.......................... Some nutrients (antioxidants, prebiotics, fiber, essential
ou ....
advise ..y.......................... portant
.... ition is im fatty acids, etc.) are added to the ration, to help
................ , balanced nutr e t digestive problems and to fight the effects of aging.
Precise of your p
e n ti re lifetime
for the

4 Nourishment and Recovery

Certain nutrients are added and others limited to
support the therapeutic process and help dogs
recover from illness and a number of ailments.

puppycareguide 13
 nutrition

nutrient
guide
physiological
l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l

How nutrients improve the health of your puppy l l l l l l l l l l l l l l

Proteins
Nutrient
Methionine & Cystine
Found In
eggs, fish, wheat and corn glutens
Benefit
helps strengthen hair and skin
differences
Build and regenerate The size and shape of a dog’s organs are very different than ours. Dogs have
organs and other Tyrosine & Phenylalanine milk, rice, purified supplements supports hair color and iris pigmentation jaws made for cutting, not for chewing. Their saliva contains no predigestive
structures. Taurine meat, chicken, purified supplements may improve cardiac function enzymes like ours does, but their stomach is larger, expandable (holding up
helps treat and prevent obesity; to two gallons in giant breed dogs) and is more acidic to digest “prey.” Other
L-Carnitine meat, purified supplements
may improve heart function physiological differences are illustrated in the chart below.
Fats soy oil, canola oil improves hair and skin quality; Gastrointestinal differences between humans and dogs
Concentrated energy Omega 6 fatty acids helps combat inflammation
source: some have Trait Man Dog
structural roles for works to reduce inflammation in intestines,
the cell or are Omega 3 fatty acids fish oils joints, skin, kidney, other organs; a Diet Omnivorous Semi-carnivorous
precursors to source of EPA and DHA, needed for brain
specific hormones. development in young puppies Area of olfactory membrane 1-3 sq inches 20-80 sq inches
Starch rice, oatmeal, barley, corn Olfactory cells 2-10 million 70-200 million
Carbohydrates provides important energy source
Great source of improves gastrointestinal function; Taste buds 9,000 1,700
energy: provide fiber Fiber beet pulp, psyllium, cellulose
increases satiety Number of teeth 32 teeth 42 teeth
Prebiotics (FOS, MOS) purified supplements, chicory root, nourishes colon; assists
brewers yeast extract digestion and immune function Food intake time 30-60 minutes 1-5 minutes
improves immune defense; Daily energy need 1,800-2,500 kcal/day 300-3,000 kcal/day
Vitamins Vitamin E vegetables, supplements helps protect cells from effects of aging
Essential to the Stomach pH 2-4 1-2
canine body for cell protects cells; promotes regeneration Weight of the digestive tract (as a 10-12% of total body 2.7% for large breed
regeneration, coat Vitamin C citrus fruit
of vitamin E percentage of body weight) weight 7% for small breed
appearance and
a variety of other Niacin meat, fish, cereals improves skin and coat appearance
functions.
Biotin brewers yeast, eggs promotes glossy coat and healthy skin
Folic Acid brewers yeast, liver improves cell count, develops tissues
in nervous system
Minerals Calcium & Phosphorous mineral salts, meat, bone strengthens bones; promotes growth ...........
Important for canine th ......................
Sodium tripolyphosphate purified supplement improves oral hygiene by reducing tartar tee ........
bone formation, ave 42 ............ ot che
w .......
metabolism, nerve dogs h .......... k but ..n..................
..
conduction, muscle
Zinc wheat, mineral salts promotes healthy hair and skin Adu..lt.................... h a c
can ................ t by sm
ell
.......... l ja w s .. re m o s
function, and Sodium silico aluminate purified supplement improves stool quality .... o w e r fu .. .. .. .. .. .. n d fo
immune function. Their ..p.................. ir food
first a
marigold extract, corn, carrots ............
....
re c ia te the
Other Carotenoid pigments may help protect cells from damage pp
Nutrients Dogs a
Glucosamine purified supplements, helps stimulate formation of new cartilage
cartilage, crustaceans
Chondroitin purified supplements, cartilage helps reduce cartilage damage
and supports healthy joints
Green tea polyphenols green tea extract helps defend against premature aging;
improves oral hygiene

puppycareguide 15
 nutrition

dogs are
l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l different l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l

Having a dog at home is a rewarding experience, but with it

comes responsibility. The closeness we feel for our dogs can
sometimes lead us to believe that things that are good for us Different sizes but common needs
are good for them, too. People tend to enjoy different varieties
Growth is a distinct period in the puppy’s life. Day by day and week by week,
of food and give a lot of thought and attention to the meals
he undergoes deep-rooted changes and, whatever his size or breed,
they eat. Dogs, on the other hand, are regulated by their food.
a close eye must be kept on certain sensitive aspects of his development.
The same food, served in the same dish, in the same place at
the same time is comforting. Because dogs have very specific
Digestive care
needs that are different from ours, they need different and
specific nutrition in order to remain healthy. After weaning, your puppy’s digestive system is still immature. He is not yet
ready to assimilate large amounts of food. If this weakness is ignored, the
puppy might well suffer from extensive digestive disorders such as diarrhea,
diarrhoea,
Dogs, by nature, are very active and draw their energy from fat. Fed an improper diet, they
which can be life-threatening in puppies.
can suffer from obesity and its consequences, such as heart and joint issues, not to mention
diabetes. Although you might feel like you’re giving your dog a treat when you give him Production of antibodies
table scraps, in reality, you may be upsetting the balance of his diet. Even the smallest
piece of chocolate (which can be highly poisonous to a dog), cheese or bread can lead Between 4 and 12 weeks, your puppy goes through a crucial period of immune
to intestinal disorders and a gradual impairment of your dog’s health. development. The immunity provided by the mother via the first milk (colostrum)
gradually declines, but his own defenses are not yet fully operational.
The fundamental differences between dog sizes
Harmonious development
Characteristics X-SMALL MINI MEDIUM MAXI GIANT During growth, the puppy’s energy
Average 1-10kg 11-25kg 26-44kg 100 lb
45+kg requirements are higher than those of
up to 8 lb 9-22 lb 23-55 lb 56-99 lb
Adult Weight and more an adult but must be strictly controlled
Growth duration to avoid the risk of obesity and of
10 10 12 15/18 18/24 joint problems that may be caused
(birth to
months months months months months by being overweight.
adulthood)
Growth Range
(ratio of birth
x 18 x 20 x 50 x 70 x 100
weight to
adult weight) Antibodies Antibodies
produced produced
by the by the
mother puppy
(Ab)
“IMMUNITY GAP”
m fat
nergy fro .....................
w their e ....
Dogs dra ............................
.......... al
................ nutrition
ra p s u pset the t
Table sc r dog’s die ....................
of you ..............
balan..c..e .. .. .. .. .............. onsisten
t diet Age of puppy
..............
..
o n a p recise, c 4 weeks 12 weeks
ve
Dogs thri

puppycareguide 17
 nutrition al needs
change
as
Nutrition ..............
.
u r d o g ages............................
y o .... ..
.............. ’s food
.............. our dog
y ress .........
Ch a n g e
d ig estive..st..............
ly to ..avoid ..............
slow.. ..
how to feed
.. .. .. ..
.. ...... ingredie
nts
..............
igestible utrition food

your puppy
Highly d N
to Health
how to feed are key

your dog
l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l

l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l
Give several small meals
Depending on his age, your puppy should be given up to three
Respect the puppy-to-adulthood transition
meals a day at scheduled times. Always give your puppy his food in the same
As your puppy reaches adulthood, their nutritional
bowl placed in the same place. This will teach him good eating habits.
requirements will change. It is important to provide
Don’t
Avoid overfeed
overfeeding your adult dog with a diet that will meet his
Review the feeding guidelines recommended on the puppy food package and nutritional requirements and needs. When changing
measure each serving accordingly. your dog’s diet, make sure to gradually mix the food
over a seven day period, increasing the amount
Make sure water is always available of the new food added each day so that 100% of the new
Your puppy must always have access to a bowl of fresh clean water. Change food will be provided to the dog by day seven. This will
the water regularly, as puppies tend to play with it. diarrhoea.
help to avoid any digestive stress and diarrhea.
One size doesn’t fit all
Number of meals per day per size
Feed your dog a highly digestible food, precisely formulated
X-SMALL for his age, size, breed and body condition. Not only do giant
Up to 4 months 3 meals per day dogs like Great Danes look different than small breed dogs like
From 4 to 10 months 2 meals per day Chihuahuas, they metabolize food differently and even age
MINI differently. Consider choosing health nutrition formulas with
your puppy’s adult size in mind.
Up to 4 months 3 meals per day
From 4 to 10 months 2 meals per day Food transition period
MEDIUM
Up to 6 months 3 meals per day
From 6 to 12 months 2 meals per day
MAXI and GIANT
Up to 6 months 3 meals per day
From 6 to 15 months 2 meals per day Days 1 & 2 Days 3 & 4 Days 5 & 6 Days 7 & after
75% usual food 50% usual food 25% usual food 100%
+ 25% new food + 50% new food + 75% new food new food

How to judge the quality of a dog food

elines on
w fe e d ing guid ge ..............
........... Short term Palatability and digestibility
Follo fo o d pa..c..k..a......................
p p y
the p..u...................... ys has The development of the dog’s body, ideal weight and
.. py alwa Mid-term
..............
your pup water ..............
. quality of his skin and coat
Ma k e su re n ..............
ss to fre sh cle..a.. .. .. .. .. ..............
acce...................... The development of the dog’s health and overall
..............
.. ent Long term
es consist
e p fe e ding tim performance
K e
The quality of the food is dependent on the quality of the ingredients used.
Highly digestible ingredients that provide all the nutrients the dog needs
are key to a good dog food.

puppycareguide 19
 nutrition

l l l l l l l X-SMALL l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l MINI
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dogs dogs
Definition Definition
X-SMALL includes very small dogs weighing up to 8 pounds at adulthood. MINI includes dogs weighing 91 toto 22
10 pounds at at
kilograms adulthood. Their
adulthood. small
Their size
small and
size and
The ultimate “lap dog”, these tiny dogs typically live longer than larger dogs— lively, energetic personality make them popular among pet owners. They’re also
sometimes longer than 15 years. Their small size and loyal, energetic demeanor known for their long life expectancy, which can span as long as 14 to 16 years.
make the very small dog a popular companion for indoor environments.
Characteristics
Characteristics Contrary to what you might think, miniature dogs actually have much higher
Pound for pound, these dogs require more energy every day than larger dogs, energy requirements and require higher levels of protein and calories (per
because they have a much higher metabolic rate throughout their lifetime. pound of body weight) than large breed dogs.
They also have a faster growth rate--a very small dog achieves fifty percent of
its adult body weight by around 3 months of age. MINI dogs have small mouths and jaws. It’s important to take this into account
when choosing a food for your puppy.
These very small dogs typically drink less water than larger dogs, which can
lead to dehydration. Dehydration, the very small dog’s indoor lifestyle and lack The MINI dog’s digestive tract represents 7% of their total body weight, on
of activity, coupled with their short gastrointestinal transit time, can lead to average, compared to only 2.7% for large breed dogs. Therefore, it’s critical to
irregularity. adapt the digestibility of your puppy’s food to the size of his digestive tract.

Also , very small dogs are sometimes fussy eaters and need something to Notably, MINI dogs are also frequently fussy eaters due to their special dietary
stimulate their appetite. A tiny kibble suited to their jaw is best for these requirements and the fact that owners often give them treats and table scraps,
very small dogs. contributing to poor eating habits.

lthood..................
s at adu
8 poun..d.......................... od
s u p to
Weigh ........................ rger do..g.. sa s taat d audltuhltohood ..............
...
.... than a..la .......... ougnra
1202 kpilo dm ..............
.............. o lic ra te
r meta..b..........................
.. .. .. h s 1
9 to
Weig ...................... .. .. .. .. .. ..
nergy
a h ig h e
iature ja
w ...... to high....e..............
Has ....................
.... ith a min .............. ri c n e eds due .. .. .. .. .. ..
.............. y e a te r w ca lo ......
Has hig..h.......................... e to smsm
..
es a fuss allall
Sometim ....
.............. es sma a ll k
b ib
u b
scle
u dsudue to
it
u
quire ir s sm ll
Re
R eq
d jaw
teeth an

puppycareguide 21
 nutrition

l l l l l l l MEDIUM l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l MAXI
l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l

dogs dogs
Definition Definition
MEDIUM includes dogs weighing 23 11 to 55
25 pounds
kilograms
at at adulthood.
adulthood. MAXI includes dogs weighing 56 26 to 99
44 pounds at at
kilograms adulthood. Many
adulthood. were
Many were
Historically, some medium sized dogs were bred for their energy and their originally bred as working dogs, so they can withstand tests of endurance such
physical ability to work outdoors. Today, MEDIUM dogs have adapted to as long walks, working under extreme conditions or keeping guard and excel as
a wide variety of lifestyles, from working farm dogs to household pets. livestock guardians, trackers, emergency rescue dogs or assistance dogs. MAXI
Regardless of where they live, it is essential for MEDIUM dogs to get dogs are faithful and affectionate and make ideal pets. The life expectancy of a
frequent exercise so they can expend energy. The MEDIUM dog has a life MAXI dog is 9 to 12 years.
expectancy of 10 to 12 years.
Characteristics
Characteristics
The growth period for a MAXI puppy is approximately 15 months — almost
During growth, a medium-sized puppy increases its birth weight by 40 seven months longer than the growth period for X-SMALL and MINI dogs.
to 50 times. During this period, he needs a high intake of energy and Through the course of this long growth period, the MAXI puppy’s diet should
nutrients as well as balanced amounts of calcium and phosphorus for contain a more moderate energy level to help maintain the puppy in optimal
good bone mineralization and harmonious growth to occur. During this body condition. MAXI puppies also multiply their birth weight by 70 to 90
time of growth, the MEDIUM puppy’s digestive system is quite sensitive, times, compared with 20 times for MINI dogs. Therefore, it’s important that the
requiring a highly digestible food to ensure a balanced intestinal flora. nutritional needs of the MAXI puppy are met during this developmental stage in
order to prevent malformation of the rapidly growing skeleton.

dltuhltohoodod .
udltuhltohoo.. dod g radm s as taat da..u..........................
dsmastaat..da ............. 4
9 4
9 k
p ilo
o u n .. ..
5
2 5 p
k o
ilougnra .. .. .. .. .. .... ........ Weig h s 2
5 6 to
..............
.. .. .. .. .. ..
h s 2
1 3
1 to .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .............. times ....
Weig ...................... .............. 70 to 90 ..
..............
.... exercise ....... w eight b..y..........................
frequent .............. s his b ir th
..............
Requires d energy ............................ Multiplie .. .. .. .. .. .. s
p e n .. .. ............ ng walk
to ex...................... .. d .............. sks like lo
..............
.. ature an rance ta eme conditions
c o u ra geous n t e n
Excels a ing under extr
d u
Has a se of sm
ell
keen sen and work

puppycareguide 23
 nutrition

ROYAL CANIN ®

l l l l l l GIANT
l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l for your young puppy l l l

dogs
The growth period is a delicate time in a puppy’s life. In
Definition
GIANT
GIANTincludes
includesdogs
dogsthat weighmore
weighing 45+ kilograms at adulthood.
than 100 pounds Many GIANT
at adulthood.
the fi rst stage of a puppy’s life, their
first immune
his immune system
system is is
still
dogs
Manywere developed
GIANT dogs wereto developed
work in cold
toclimates as rescue
work in cold dogs.
climates asThey have
rescue dogsa life still developing,
developing, andand it is most
it is most delicate
delicate during
when he is weaning.
expectancy of 7primarily
and today are to 9 years.
used to protect families or livestock. They have a Nutrition must be balanced and appropriate for ahim puppy
to
life expectancy of 7 to 9 years.
to reach
reach hishis fullest
fullest potential.
potential.
Characteristics
ROYAL CANIN is the only complete nutritional answer to ensure the well being of the
Its takes 18 to 24 months for giant breed puppies to reach their full
mother through gestation and the puppy for life. Developed through scientific research,
size. Their birth weight will increase by 80 to 100 times during this
ROYAL CANIN® Starter products are formulated for the health of both the gestating
period, which must be monitored carefully to prevent malformation
and lactating mother and the weaning puppy.
in the skeleton and muscles. Body weight, combined with an active
temperament, puts their joints under daily stress. A food rich in vitamins
All of ROYAL CANIN® Starter formulas include: START COMPLEX™ an exclusive
E and C, plus natural sources of glucosamine and chondroitin, can help
combination of nutritional elements which are present in a mother’s milk, reinforced
protect the joints.
with specific nutrients which actively contribute to promoting digestive security and
strengthening the puppy’s natural defenses.
otoa ddulthoo..d..................
0s0apt oaud nudltsha ..............
..
ROYAL CANIN® Starter Formulas
k ilo
th ga ra
n m
1 .. .. .. .. ..
+
45ore .. ..
Weighs..m .. .. .. .. .. .. .............. h y
.... .... r healt
.............. utrition fo pment ......
precise n lo .............. For puppies from three weeks to eight weeks
R e q u ire s
m u sc u la r d e v e
.. .. .. .. .. .. ..............
and ........
skeleta..l.......................... s
..............
.... 100 time
ht 80 to
s h is b irth weig
Multiplie

Starter MINI MEDIUM MAXI GIANT

Mousse Starter Starter Starter Starter
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5.8 oz can 2 lb and 6 lb and 6 lb and 6 lb and
15 lb bags 30 lb bags 26 lb bags 30 lb bags

puppycareguide 25
 nutrition

ROYAL CANIN®
l l l l for your puppy
l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l

During the second phase of a puppy’s growth stage, his their

body All ROYAL CANIN® puppy formulas include an exclusive combination of
nutrients to provide optimum digestive security and balanced intestinal
body completes
completes the building
the building and developing
and developing of his of their
bone bone
structure flflora
ora that
that help
help improve
improve the
the quality
quality of
of the
the puppy’s
puppy’s stool.
stool. A
A patented
patented complex
structure
and andteeth
his adult their adult
beginteeth begin
to grow. to grow.
After After
weaning, weaning, a
a puppy of antioxidants,
complex along with
of antioxidants, probiotics,
along also help build
with mannan-oligo their natural
saccharides, defenses.
also
help build his natural defenses.
puppy gradually
gradually loses
loses the the immunity
immunity that had that
beenhadtransmitted
been transmitted
their
through his mother’s
mother’s milk.
milk. SoSo throughout
throughout the
the growth
growth stage,
stage,
your puppy’s immune system requires strong nutritional
support. Their digestive
His digestive system
system is is sensitive,
sensitive, too,
too, and
and changing
changing
their
his diet
diet during
during this
this time
time can
can cause
cause great
great digestive
digestive upset.
upset.

ROYAL CANIN® Puppy

Starter Formulas
and Junior Formulas
For puppies from eight weeks to adulthood

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puppycareguide 27
 nutrition
ery
have a v ies .
u a h u a puppies igestive sensi..ti..v..it......................
Chih h a v e d .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
small..ja w an..d...................... y eaters
.. .......... s are fuss
.............. ire terrier puppie ort time spa..n......................
ROYAL CANIN® Yorksh
that ..g..ro
w qu..ic kly in..a sh ................
....
...... ...... tically

for your breed puppy

.. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. g e n e
.......... .. are tions
puppies nb limthbrestric concerns ..
Bulldog d to a gugla
lim ror w
pm ..t ......................
e n
se evelo
l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l
pre dispo ia s te d join..t..d .. .. .. .............. nsitive
ss it
o c
ie ..
dn
a ed foa rm ............ ppies ha
ve se
..............
.............. an shepherd pu ms ........
Germ e ..............
d ig e st ive sy..st........................
d
skin a..n.................... .. .. uire
Extensive observation of the unique characteristics of purebred pies req
.............. dor retriever pup to ensure
..
Lab ra t ga in
puppies makes it possible to formulate diets to support the d weigh
controlle eletal developm
ent
sk
specific nutritional needs of the breed. Each breed has genetic healthy
and physiological factors that may predispose them to potential
health concerns, as well as physical differences that may make
even the simplest act of eating and digesting difficult.
ROYAL CANIN® Breed Health Nutrition™ Puppy formulas address Certain
Certain breeds
breeds have
have different
different facial
facial structures
structures that
that impact
impact the
the way
way
they
they grasp,
grasp, chew
chew andand ingest
ingest their
their food.
food. Each
Each kibble
biscuithas
hasbeen
beenperfectly
perfectly
these tendencies through exceptional, nutritional support based on engineered in
engineered in relation
relation to
to the
the breed
breed puppy’s
puppy’s jaw
jaw in
in terms
terms of
of shape,
shape,
excellent raw materials, quality nutrients and precise formulations. size and
size and texture
texture with
with exclusive
exclusive natural
natural aromas
aromas appealing
appealing toto the
the breed.
breed.

ROYAL CANIN® Breed Puppy Formulas

For purebred puppies from eight weeks to adulthood

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puppycareguide 29
 Behavior and training 32
Basic commands 33
Travel training 35

puppycareguide training
 training

l l l l l l l l l l l l l l behaviour
behavior
and training basic
Whether you decide to teach your puppy to perform entertaining tricks or not, there
are some basic rules of life he must understand in order to be a welcome member of
your household. Your training program should start as early as possible, while your
commands l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l

puppy naturally has an excellent capacity for learning. Here are a few tips to get Obedience advice
you started, but don’t hesitate to call in professional help with your training. Most The dog is a pack animal and needs authority. From the very beginning he needs
communities have dog clubs or “puppy schools” that can help you with your mission. a single person who can be his teacher. Don’t shout when you call him - he is
sensitive to variations in your voice, and will understand different tones very well,
Guidelines such as short and sharp for commands, happy to congratulate him and severe for
When
When he arrives
they at at
arrives your house,
your your
house, puppy
your willwill
puppy most likely
most notnot
likely a reprimand. Always use the same words for the same commands. Start off with
be
be house-trained.
house-trained. three short training sessions lasting just five minutes a day, and extend the
sessions little by little as your puppy gets older.
•Take
Takehim
theyout
outfrequently,
frequently,after
afterevery
everymeal
mealand
andnap,
nap,before
beforebed
bed
and as
and as soon
soon as
as you
you get
get up
up in
in the
the morning.
morning. At
At the
the beginning,
beginning, take Teaching your puppy to sit
him to
take himthe
tosame placeplace
the same everyevery
timetime
so hesocan
he recognize his own
can recognize his 1. Holding the treat slightly in front of your puppy’s
scent.
own scent. nose, slowly raise it in an upward arc hand
to lure your puppy into the sit position.
• Congratulate
Congratulate your
your puppy
puppy for
for eliminating
eliminating outside.
outside. Go
Go outside
outside
2. The moment your puppy sits, reward him
with him
with theysosothat
thatyou
youcan
cangive
giveimmediate
immediatepraise
praisewith
withyour
your voice
and a and
voice pat. a pat. with the treat.
3. Once he understands the motion he is to
• IfIf he
they turnround
turns roundand
andround
roundororsniffs
sniff the
the floor
floor indoors,
indoors, he
they need perform, pair the word, “sit,” with his action.
to go. But
needs don’t
to go. Butwait
don’tforwait
yourforpuppy to signal
your puppy to youto
to signal that they
you Then praise and reward him
want to go out. Most puppies will not learn to signal
that he wants to go out. Most puppies will not learn to signal their need
immediately each time he does it.
until need
their they fiuntil
rst learn
theyto “hold
first it”to
learn in “hold
the house.
it” in the house. 4. Many repetitions will be necessary for your
• Never
Never punish
punish or
or reprimand
reprimand aa puppy
puppy who
who has
has had
had an
an accident.
accident. puppy to learn to associate the word “sit”
Instead, find
Instead, find ways
ways to
to prevent
prevent your
your puppy
puppy from
from ever
ever having
having the with the sit action, so be patient.
need to eliminate indoors.
the need to eliminate indoors. Teaching your puppy “down”
• Most
Most “accidents”
“accidents” happen
happen by by allowing
allowing too
too much
much freedom
freedom too
too 1. Once you have taught your puppy to sit,
soon. Confine
soon. Confine the
the puppy
puppy to to one
one or
or two
two rooms
rooms inin the
the house
house you can start teaching the “down” command.
where the
where the family
family spends
spends thethe most
most time
time so
so you
you can
can prevent
prevent 2. With a treat in your right hand, give your puppy the “sit” command. Once he’s
accidents. Crate them when you can’t supervise them.
accidents. Crate him when you can’t supervise him. In the In the sitting, lower the treat toward the ground slowly enough for him to follow its
event of
event of an
an “accident,
“accident,”” disinfect
disinfect the
the spot
spot to
to remove
remove his
their smell,
smell, path. The moment he has his hindquarters and elbows on the ground, reward
but don’t use bleach and don’t clean it up while they’re in the him with the treat.
but don’t use bleach and don’t clean it up while he’s in the
room, to avoid stimulating their interest. 3. Once your puppy understands the motion he is to perform, pair the
room, to avoid stimulating his interest.
word, “down,” with his action, and then praise and reward
him each time he does it.
you
ur puppy to tell
Don’t wait for yo
go out
he needs to.... ...........................
.... .... .... .... .... ........ ................ had
........ .... puppy who has
Don’t punish a
an “accide.... nt” ...
............................
............ ............
............................ sche du le fo r fe ed ing
Stick to a regular
and outings

puppycareguide 33
 training

l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l
travel training l l l l l l l l l l l

Traveling with your puppy

Get your puppy used to riding in the car from
Playtime and toys for his well-being
an early age so that it doesn’t worry him.
Because he’s full of energy and into everything, your puppy
Here are a few tips on how to make car
needs to play in order to help prevent unwanted behaviors
travel more comfortable for both of you.
from cropping up. Since many unwanted behaviors arise
out of boredom, keep your puppy active, and make sure he • Sit in the car with the dog, playing with
has appropriate outlets for his energy. him and giving him a treat.
Toys • Take a few short rides before any long trips.
Providing interactive toys for your puppy will keep him occupied and active
even when you’re not home. Interactive toys are hollow inside so you can
• Taking your dog for a walk or playing in
the yard can help to calm your dog
insert food or treats. Your puppy will have to figure out how to extract the before a trip.
food, keeping him busy for longer than traditional chew toys. Choose toys
that are durable enough for your puppy’s level of chewing and that are • Always keep current tags and proper identification
twice the size of his mouth to prevent choke hazards. Regularly check toys’ on your dog, including your cell phone number so
conditions for damage and wear, and wash them frequently to prevent the you may be reached when you are traveling.
development of bacteria. • Always keep your dog on a leash, even if he normally
responds to voice commands, because he could
Exercise
easily get startled in a new environment.
Exercise should also be a part of your puppy’s daily routine to keep him in top
physical condition and to allow for exertion of energy. Consider your puppy’s • Ask your veterinarian about a sedative to counter your
age, stamina, and overall physical capabilities and choose an exercise routine dog’s travel-sickness, if that is a concern.
accordingly. For example, a walk around the block may meet one puppy’s • Take along an adequate supply of your dog’s regular food and
exercise needs, but another dog may require more activity than that. medication, as well as bowls, waste pick-up bags and a plastic bottle
Sports of cold water.
Doing outdoor activities together is one of the wonderful things about • Dogs should not be allowed to ride with their heads outside car windows.
having a puppy. Not only will this help him feel good, but it will also Particles of dirt can enter the eyes, ears and nose, causing injury or infection.
strengthen his bond with you. Certain sports, however, should only be • If you’re not taking your dog with you, ask your vet for a referral for a
practiced by dogs once they have finished growing. Dog training clubs are good boarding kennel or pet sitter.
an excellent way to teach him a few simple exercises that will be useful when
playing these sports in the future. Before beginning a sport with your puppy,
ask for your vet’s advice.

erefore aiptrip
a tr
rrpduopgpb yebfo
py as lm
lm yyo ouu la
layy ...
your pup
g ........
CCaa
ildeexe xercrcisiseeoor.. rpp
..............
..............
se trainin .............. witithhm mild .. ..
Start hou s home............................
w
..............
.. .. .. ..
uppy’s
e c o m e .. .............. k your p
.............. re to pac
h ..
soon as.......................... c comm
ands
a k e su ng trip
.............. few basi M lo
king a .........................
.............. ur p u p p y a
k to lea rn ..............
.......
food if y ou are ..ta .. .. .. ......
Teach yo and qu..ic.......................... ..............
.. .. ..
whw
shash eh nen
’s y o u n g
..............
.. .............. gpoynoanle aale
while he .............. prevent .............. p
ep yo y o u
u r
r du
p op
r d u ri n g stops
.. .. .. .. .. .. .............. rt a in e d in order to Ke
K ee
o u t o f the ca
.... ente im
Keep him r y ou let h
a n te d behavio
unw

puppycareguide 35
 Preventive health care 38
Parasite prevention 39
Growth rates and weight gain 41
Disease prevention 42
Spaying and neutering 43

puppycareguide healthy
living
 healthy living er
r ticks aft
Check fo ctivities ..............
..
outdo or ............................
a
.. .. .. .. .. ..

preventative
.............. tick off
ll a biting
Don’t pu ...........
r fing..e..rs........................
with y..o..u .. .. .. .. ..
.. to have
..............
l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l

your vet
health care Contact eworming
the right
schedule
d

Good health starts with good hygiene. It is much easier to prevent

an infection than to treat one that has already started. Here are some
tips for managing common concerns that can lead to long-term

parasite
health problems if ignored.

Caring for your puppy’s ears

Ear care should be part of your regular grooming routine. By check-
ing your puppy’s ears often you will notice signs of irritation earlier
prevention l l l l l l l l l l l l

and prevent painful and hard-to-treat infections. Puppies’

ears are either long and floppy or erect. Their ear canals
are not well ventilated and need to be checked more
frequently. The type of hair growing on the ear (long,
curly, short, etc.) is also an important factor. Weekly ear Ticks
inspections and prompt veterinary treatment at the first Ticks attach to a puppy’s skin, preferring the most
sign of infection are important. To clean the ears, use a delicate areas. They use their mouths to pierce
solution specifically formulated for a puppy’s ears. Most the skin and inject a special saliva, which solidifies
ear cleaners work by breaking up and liquefying wax in the into a very strong attachment point. The tick then
ear canal so it can be safely removed. Follow package instruc- consumes its meal of blood. Once the tick has finished
tions carefully to avoid injuring your puppy’s ears. its meal, it uses another type of saliva to dissolve the
Caring for your puppy’s eyes attachment point so the tick can drop off. The best way
to remove a tick from your puppy is to use a special tick hook,
Eye care is important for every breed of puppy. It’s important to rather than pulling it off with your fingers or tweezers. Because ticks can be
clean your puppy’s eyes of any discharge, but there will always be carriers of diseases, consult your veterinarian if you see ticks on your puppy.
some amount of tear-staining whenever hair rests around the eyes.
Tear-staining results from the hair absorbing moisture produced Worms
by the eyes. The preferred method to clean your puppy’s eyes A multi-purpose deworming medication is used, usually consisting
discharge is to use saline solution or eyewash designed specifically of a mixture of several anthelmintics providing a broad spectrum
for puppies. of protection. The dose should be adjusted for the puppy’s weight.
Preventing loss Your vet will provide you with a schedule for deworming. Stool analysis
can also reveal worm eggs, and the worms can then be more specifically
Consider microchipping your dog. A qualified vet will use a targeted by choosing the appropriate medication. The puppy’s
syringe to insert a tiny microchip beneath the skin, containing characteristics should be taken into account when deciding how to
information to connect the dog with the owner. administer the deworming medication, whether as pills, paste or liquid.
Consult your veterinarian for advice.

puppycareguide 39
 healthy living

e
s affect th
infection
Parasitic .............
coat ..............
skin an..d.......................... , itching
.... eczema
.............. n cause
.............. Fleas ca .........
t h a ir loss .............. s
an ..............
or signifi..c .. .. .. ll a
growth rates and
.. .. .. s w e
.... .... treated,a as
.............. must be
.............. The h o u se fi g h t fle
tively
, to effec

weight gain
the dog

l l l l l l l
Fleas
To effectively combat fleas, it is helpful to understand this
parasite’s life cycle. Though adult fleas may be the most visible to
us, they are only part of the problem. Flea eggs and larva represent
the major cause of future flea development in a home. Flea larva
hate light so they hide in nooks and crannies, under rugs and
between floorboards. After one or two weeks of life, the larva forms
a cocoon, which is resistant to flea treatments and can lie dormant
for more than five months. When in presence of humans or pets,
the cocoons then hatch and adult fleas invade the environment.
The fact that all of the cocoons can hatch simultaneously promotes Preventing obesity
massive infestations within a few hours. Adult fleas jump onto dogs
and bite them in order to feed on the blood. Throughout growth, the puppy must be
given a nutritional answer formulated
to meet his specific needs. His
A flea treatment needs to reach several major objectives:
requirements differ from those of
Kill
Killadult
adultfleas
fleason ondogs
dogsliving
livingininthe
thearea
areabybyusing
using an adult dog and depend on his rate
insecticides.
insecticides.These
Theseinsecticides
insecticidescan canbe beused
usedininspray
spray of growth, which in turn depends on
or or
spot-on.
spot-on. The latest
The areare
latest small liquid
small vials
liquid which
vials whichare
his future size at adult age. For example,
poured onto theonto
are poured skin,the
usually
skin, between the shoulders.
usually between the at ten months, a MINI dog has reached
•shoulders. Oral preparations are also available.
Prevent fleas from developing in the adult weight and has multiplied his
environment.
• Prevent Thisdeveloping
fleas from can be done in by
theusing birth weight by 20. A GIANT dog
IGRs (InsectThis
environment. Growth
can Regulators) sprayed
be done by using IGRs will continue to grow until 18 to 24
in theGrowth
(Insect house to prevent egg
Regulators) and larva
sprayed in the months and will multiply his birth
house to prevent egg and larva development.
development. weight by 100.
• Before Thus, in a larger dog with a lengthy
• Beforeapplying any
applying treatment
any in in
treatment the
the
environment, the whole area should be dusted growth period, rapid and excessive
environment, the whole area should be weight gain must be avoided in order to
and thoroughly cleaned through vacuuming.
dusted and thoroughly cleaned. reduce excessive strain on his still immature
joints, as this may cause him to develop bone and
joint disorders as an adult. In a small puppy with a short growth period,
the allowances must be regularly adjusted to prevent possible obesity.

puppycareguide 41
 healthy living
rtant
an impo lly
o r n e u tering is onsider care..fu ..............
..........
Spaying t y o u shou..ld....c......................
a ........
choic..e....th .............. t
.. ill preven
.............. n d n e utering w ............
Spa y in g a ..............
d lit te rs .. .. .. .. .. .. ..............
unwa..n..te .. anges,
.............. bolic ch
.. ........ es meta commended
.............. d u c
disease og n p ro is re
SN aritin
teeriulizte t gain it itor your puppy’s
id weigh n
so to avo nd carefully mo

prevention
a
to switch er surgery
ft
weight a
l l l l l l l l l l l l l l

Vaccinations spaying and

Vaccinations help prevent contagious and sometimes
fatal diseases. Some are required, while others are simply
recommended. They are most effective when they are given at
neutering l l l l l l l l l l l l

fixed dates with booster vaccinations. Puppies usually begin a

An important decision
vaccination program at the age of six to eight weeks.
Deciding whether to spay or neuter is an important choice that must
Your vet will help you choose the vaccination program be carefully considered. It is important to weigh the benefits of spaying
best suited for your puppy, depending on the risks he or neutering against the possibility of being able to breed your dog
faces from lifestyle and environment. in the future.
Tell the vet where your puppy will spend time (visiting
doggie day care or kennels, in the woods, traveling Potential benefits of spaying or neutering your puppy
outside the country, etc.), as special vaccinations may Health Benefits
Females
be required.
•• Neutered
Eliminatespets generally
or reduces thelive longer of certain kinds of tumors,
occurrence
• Neutering reduces theovarian
including mammary, risk of and
testicular,
uterineprostate,
tumors.mammary and ovarian
cancers and pyometra (serious infection of the uterus)
•• Neutering prevents unplanned pregnancies last
Eliminates “heat” bleeding that would otherwise
three weeks every six months.
plement ses ..... • Un-neutered animals have an increased risklife-threatening
of fight-associated injuries and diseases
tions sup n .............. •
Vaccina y’s natural defe
Reduces the risk of pyometra, a potentially uterine disease
.. .. .. ..............
p
your pu..p........................
.. .. .. ..
y care fa nt
cilitie s •Behavioral
Prevents unwanted
Benefits litters.
..............
...... d d oggie da ns are curre.. ....... • Neutering can make your pet a calmer and more affectionate companion
ne ls a n a .................... ......
ti o Males
Most ken roof that vac..c..in .. .. .. .. .. •• Neutering reducing
Helps reduce roamingaggression
behaviorandandterritorial behaviour,
fighting with urine marking
other dogs.
requir..e p .. uppy
.............. et your p
.. .......... rian to g hedule •• and spraying
or and mounting
the riskbehaviour
.............. rv e te ri n a sc
Eliminates reduces of certain kinds of tumors.
Call you n a vaccination • Un-neutered pets tendmarking
Reduces or eliminates to stray and
fromroam
otherwhich
males.increases the risk of
started o • being injured
Eliminates by a motor
unwanted vehicle
litters.

puppycareguide 43
 First aid for dogs 46
Emergency action steps 48
Poisonous substances 50
CPR for dogs 52
My pets information 54

puppycareguide first aid

 first aid

S
M A L V I TAL SIGN
NOR ..........

first aid
INUTE ..............
- 1 6 0 B E ATS/M .. .. .. .. .. .. ..............
0 ..
HEAR T RATE..: ..7...................... INUTE..........................
........
.............. E ATHS../M
.............. - 2 0 B R .. .. .. .. .. ..
RESP..IR..A TION..: ..1..0......................
.. ve1043 0°F
°C
l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ........ 1-1
.5 39.2°C
°C02- .5 16
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0.5 °CAA bboo ve
.. TU R E : 1
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for dogs
TEMPERA L TEMPERATURE
A
ABNORM

While there is no substitute for

Even if you provide your dog with everything he Supplies for a Puppy veterinary care if your puppy is injured,
needs, accidents can still happen. Knowing what
to do may save your dog’s life. Study this guide First Aid Kit there are a few items you should have
and be prepared in the event of a pet emergency. on hand to save precious time and give
Alcohol-based disinfectant
Checking vital signs your puppy immediate relief.
Antibiotic cream
Use rectal thermometers for puppies. Newer Store your Puppy First Aid Kit in a
human digital thermometers are best. Heartbeat Antiseptic solution
can be checked by placing a hand over the dog’s chest.
sealed container in your home or car,
Bandaging materials: gauze and don’t forget to pack it when you’re
Respiration can be measured by observing the flanks or holding
a wet finger in front of the nostrils. Measure both rates for 15
pads and rolls, rolled cotton
and self-adhesive elastic wraps traveling with your puppy.
seconds, then multiply by four to get the rate per minute. Make
sure the puppy is in a calm, resting state to ensure normal rates. Remember, if your puppy is injured, the
Cotton balls
Handling and transporting most important thing for you to do is
Extra blankets
• Don’t assume a puppy won’t bite or scratch when he’s sick remain calm.
or injured. Don’t put your face near his head. Muzzle him, if Hydrogen peroxide
necessary, with gauze or soft towel strips.
Rectal thermometer
• Wrap a small puppy in a towel and perform any examinations
slowly and gently. Stop if he becomes agitated. Scissors
• Don’t attempt to lift or drag a large injured dog. Improvise Blankets and Towels
a stretcher out of a board, throw rug, child’s sled, etc. Try to
stabilize injuries. Rolled magazines or newspapers can serve Tweezers
as impromptu splints. Pad the limb and splint generously with
rolled cotton and gauze if available, or improvise with suitable
pillows, pieces of blanket, towels, etc.
• Make sure the splint immobilizes joints above and below the
site of the injury.

puppycareguide 47
 first aid

The following situations generally require veterinary attention.

Emergency Action Steps These action steps are designed to help you stabilize your pet while veterinary help is being obtained.
Call your veterinarian immediately for any medical emergency.

Call your veterinarian immediately for any medical emergency.

Bee or Wasp Sting Bleeding Heat Stroke Limping Unconsciousness Vomiting
1 Neutralize the sting. 1 Arterial bleeding 1 Place in cool 1 Attempt to localize 1 In case of drowning, 1 Examine vomit for
Bee stings are acidic. requires immediate shaded area. injury through gentle clear the lungs of fluid. blood or other clues as
Neutralize with baking veterinary attention. inspection Lift dog’s hindquarters to cause.
Immediately bathe dog Once localized, examine high over head and
soda. Arterial blood will be with tepid water.
Wasp stings are alkaline. bright red, will bleed in affected area to check squeeze chest firmly 2 Gently press on
spurts and will be Do not leave the dog for pain, heat, injury and until fluid stops stomach to detect any
Neutralize with vinegar unattended while soak- swelling. draining. abdominal pain.
or lemon juice. difficult to stop.
ing, even if conscious.
2 If a fracture is 2 In case of electrical Withhold all food
2 Apply cold pack. 2 Apply a clean cloth or 2 Monitor rectal suspected, gently shock, DO NOT touch and water until a
sterile gauze to the temperature. stabilize limb for the dog until they are veterinarian has been
wound. When temperature transport. See Handling
3 Apply calamine or no longer in contact consulted.
drops to 103° F, dry off and Transporting Tips.
antihistamine cream. with electricity source.
the dog.
3 Apply direct pressure 3 If poisoning is
In case of severe for at least five to 3 Cover any wounds In case of airway suspected, bring
4 3 Transport to a Pet with a clean cloth. 3
swelling or difficulty seven minutes to stop obstruction, the object a sample of the
Hospital. See Bleeding.
breathing, transport bleeding. will need to be gently suspected poison,
Continue to monitor
to a Pet Hospital Don’t apply a tourniquet Possible causes: removed. preferably in its original
temperature.
immediately. unless absolutely necessary. Broken limb or digit; acute packaging, to the
arthritis; injury to footpad; veterinarian.
Bleeding Do not allow animal
dislocation; sprain; muscle 4 Ifstart
dog is not breathing,
to become excessively CPR. See CPR.
chilled. soreness. 4 Abdominal pain,
Possible causes: enlarged stomach and
Possible causes: Drowning; electrocution; unproductive vomiting
Excessive heat and/or lack of trauma; drug ingestion. are serious signs. Call
shade, overexertion, lack of water your veterinarian
(dogs differ in how much heat they immediately.
can tolerate — even mildly warm,
humid temperatures can stress Possible causes:
some pets). Poisoning; abdominal injury;
motion sickness; disease;
overeating; fear; brain injury;
parasites.

Call your veterinarian immediately for any medical emergency.

puppycareguide 49
 first aid

Poisonous Substances
Vomitingisiscommonly
Vomiting commonly caused
caused by the
by the ingestion
ingestion of harmful
of harmful substances.
substances.
There are many items that are known poisons to dogs. Just like with children,
There are many items that are known poisons to dogs. Just like with children, Common Poisonous Household Substances
make
makesure
surethese items
these areare
items locked up so
locked upyour puppy
so your can’t get
puppy into
can’t getthem.
intoFor more
them. For
information on poisonous substances, or for an item that isn’t listed here, please
more information on poisonous substances, or for an item that isn’t
consult Animal Poison Control website www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/
listed here, • Alcohol • Fertilizers • Potpourri (liquid)
please consult ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control at 1-800-548-2423 (fee charged • Acetaminophen • Furniture Polish • Rat Poison
for certain services).
• Antifreeze • Gasoline • Rubbing Alcohol
and other car fluids
• Hair Colorings • Shoe Polish
Symptoms Toxic Foods Toxic Plants • Bleach
• Insecticides • Sleeping Pills
• Vomiting • Almonds • Azaleas • Boric Acid
• Kerosene • Snail or Slug Bait
• Diarrhea • Apricots • Diffenbachia • Cleaning Products
• Matches • Turpentine
• Difficulty breathing • Avocados • Lilies • Compost Piles
• Mothballs • Vitamins
• Abnormal urine • Balsam Pears • Rhododendrons • Deodorants (human or overdose
• Nail Polish and Remover of pet vitamins)
(color, aroma or odor, • De-icing Salts
• Chocolate • Rhubarb • Paint
frequency) • Weed Killers
• Coffee Grounds • Spinach • Detergents
• Salivation • Pennies, post 1982 • Windshield-Wiper Fluid
• Fatty Foods • Tomato and Potato leaves • Disinfectants (due to the high
• Weakness
and stems concentration of zinc) • Xylitol-Sweetened Products
If your dog should ingest • Grapes • Drain Cleaners
something harmful, contact a • Tulip and Narcissus bulbs • Prescription and Non-
• Japanese Plums • Flea Products Prescription Medicine
veterinarian or poison control
center immediately. • Mistletoe (Used incorrectly or due to
• Macadamia Nuts individual hypersensitivity)
• Mushrooms and Toadstools
• Moldy or Spoiled Food (if also toxic to humans)
• Mushrooms • Wild Cherry
(if also toxic to humans)

• Onions and Onion Powder

• Pear and Peach Pits

• Raisins

• Yeast Dough

Call your veterinarian immediately for any medical emergency.

puppycareguide 51
 first aid
CPR for Dogs

not
ur dog is
is n e c e ssary if yo e
CPR no puls ...........
breathin g or has............................
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ....
.............. choking,
................ Possible causes: wning or
e ss from dro
unc o n sc io u sn ic reaction
p o is o n ing, allerg
shock,

1 Lay the dog on their side and remove any obstructions in the
airway. Open mouth, pull tongue forward, extend neck and
sweep mouth with finger if safe to do so.

2 If the airway is clear, extend the neck, hold the tongue out of
mouth and close the dog’s jaws over their tongue.

3 Holding jaws closed, breathe into both nostrils for five to six
breaths. If there is no response, continue artificial respiration
(see below). If there is no pulse, begin cardiac compressions.

4 Depress the widest part of the chest wall 1.5 to 3 inches with
one or both hands. Refer to compressions per minute chart for
weight specific info.

5 Continue artificial respiration. Refer to breaths per minute

chart for weight specific info.

Weight Compressions per minute Weight Breaths per minute

Under 2kg
Under 5 lbs. Place hands around rib cage Under 52kg
lbs. 30+ breaths per minute
and apply cardiac massage 2-5kg
5 – 10 lbs. 30+ breaths per minute
2-5kg
5 – 10 lbs. 120 – 140 times per minute 5-30kg
11 – 60 lbs. 16 – 20 breaths per minute
11 – 60 lbs.
5-30kg 80 – 100 times per minute over
Over 30kg
60 lbs. 12 breaths per minute
Over30kg
over 60 lbs. 60 times per minute

Call your veterinarian immediately for any medical emergency.

puppycareguide 53
 u m ber s
cy N 3
-548-242..........
My Pet’s Information Em ergen o....n..tr o ..............
--- 1-800........................
l Center ......................
a l P o is o....n....C ..............
® Anim ........ .. .. ..
Information A....S..P....C....A............................ and Num
ber
.. .. N a m e
rian
.... ..
Pet’s Name .....................................................................................................................................................
Veterina ..............
..............
....
............
..............
Hospital
Owner .............................................................................................................................................................. ..
..............
eterinary
............ ..............
Address ........................................................................................................................................................... ..............
..............
C linic or V
ergency
........
..............
..............
urs Em
After-ho
City ............................................................................State ............................... Zip ....................................
.....
..............
Phone .......................................................................Email ........................................................................... ............ ..............
.. ..............
..............
License number ........................................................................................................................................... ............ ..............
..............
..............
...... ..............
Pedigree number ......................................................................................................................................... ..............
Breed ........................................................................Color ............................................................................
Color .........................................................................Gender ....................................................................... Vaccinations and Health Exam Dates
Date of birth ..........................................................Date Acquired ..........................................................
Distemper/Hepatitis/Parainfluenza .................................................................................................................
Where Acquired ...........................................................................................................................................
Parvovirus..................................................................................................................................................................
Breeders Name .............................................................................................................................................
Rabies (1 year)..........................................................................................................................................................
Phone .......................................................................Email ............................................................................
Rabies (3 year)..........................................................................................................................................................
Feeding information
Bordetella ..................................................................................................................................................................
Diet name ..........................................Change to Adult Food At ........................................Months
Food Portions ...................................Cups/Grams ....................................................Times Per Day Leptospirosis ............................................................................................................................................................

Provide Clean, Fresh Water At All Times. Refer to bags for specific feeding guidelines. Coronavirus ..............................................................................................................................................................

Medical information Lyme disease (Borrelia).........................................................................................................................................

Allergies ........................................................................................................................................................ Deworming...............................................................................................................................................................

Special Medications..................................................................................................................................
Fecal exam ................................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................................
Heartworm exam....................................................................................................................................................
Special Conditions ...................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................... Body Condition Score ...........................................................................................................................................

Medical/Surgical History Additional Information

.......................................................................................................................................................................... ..........................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................... ..........................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................... ..........................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................... ..........................................................................................................................................................................

puppycareguide 55
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