Puppy Care Guide

## Everyday puppy welfare Puppies need a suitable complete diet, fresh water, a safe place to rest and opportunities for sleep, play, exploration and normal social behaviour. Their environment should be puppy-proofed so electrical cables, unsafe foods, small objects, toxic substances and escape routes are controlled. A predictable routine helps a puppy learn what to expect. ## Feeding, exercise and training Use a complete puppy food★ appropriate to the puppy's life stage and follow the manufacturer's guidance, adjusting with growth and body condition. Exercise should be age-appropriate and balanced with plenty of sleep. Training is most useful when it is consistent and reward-based; early socialisation should introduce people, environments, handling and suitable dogs gradually and positively. ## Health, identification and professional care Arrange veterinary care^★ and follow professional advice on vaccination, parasite control, neutering, dental care and any breed-specific concerns. In the UK, dogs must be microchipped and registered by the required age. Seek veterinary advice for persistent changes in appetite, vomiting, diarrhoea, breathing, mobility, toileting or behaviour rather than relying on a general guide.