Choosing A Healthy PuppyThe importance of choosing a healthy puppy can sometimes be forgotten because it's just so exciting to pick out your new best friend!
The one with the sad little puppy-dog eyes, or the cute little bark can be so captivating that your heart takes over... BUT the importance of picking a healthy puppy can't be overstated! According to ASPCA research, the cost of keeping a dog is about $640.00 per year, and for a medium-size dog who lives around 15 years they estimate the total cost to be somewhere around $9,570 over his/her lifetime. That's a lot of money in anyone's books, but if you get a sickly pup who needs an above average amount of veterinary care those figures could end up being significantly higher. And there's more to consider than just the financial cost. If the pup you choose isn't strong and healthy, the heartache of watching him suffer (or even die) is a high price to pay, especially when children are involved. We want to make your life as a new puppy owner as easy as possible, so we're going to show you how to pick a healthy pup out of that adorable litter. Ready? Okay, here goes...
Make the right choice!There are some fairly basic things to look for when choosing a healthy puppy -
Puppy Paperwork! Choosing a healthy puppy doesn't end here. Before you jump in the car and head home with your precious bundle of joy, be sure you have all the necessary paperwork in your hand. All puppies should come with a record of the veterinary care they've received, this should show the type and date of their vaccinations and when they were wormed. If you're buying a purebred puppy 'with papers', you should be given your puppy's Registration Application at the time of sale. Don't accept promises of 'papers in the mail', there's no reason for a responsible breeder not to have the necessary papers at hand. Welcome home!
No matter how careful you've been to make sure you're choosing a healthy puppy, you need to have your veterinarian give your new furbaby a thorough physical exam within 24 - 48 hours of bringing him home. If this is your first pet, or you need help choosing a veterinarian for any reason, check out this page for all the tips and advice you need. If you've bought a purebred puppy of show/work/breeding quality, you will probably have signed a contract with the breeder. Part of this contract will most likely have a clause that requires you to have your puppy seen by your own vet within a certain period (usually 2-3 days) of receiving him/her. It's in your best interests to do this, if you should find that your pup is sick, or shows any signs of hereditary/genetic faults or weaknesses most breeders will take the puppy back and give you a replacement pup, or even a refund. This will depend upon the individual breeders contract though, so read the small print! Choosing a healthy puppy is fairly straightforward when you have the litter underfoot, but many people today buy purebred puppies online. Although the majority of breeders are honest and ethical, this method of sale obviously leaves room for unscrupulous people to exploit the system. In these cases, the veterinary check-up recommended above is absolutely vital to ensure that you have a healthy puppy.
Keeping your puppy healthyChoosing a healthy puppy is a great start, but it's important to do the right things to keep your puppy in tip-top shape.New puppy parents can find raising a puppy almost as worrying as raising a baby! I'd recommend checking out my Bringing Home A New Puppy page to learn all about what to expect during the first few days with your new pup. You can also find the answers to many of the most common questions can be found on our Puppy FAQs Page, also find out more about Puppy Health, Puppy Shots, Puppy Behavior, Dog Illnesses and Puppy Kibble. Our Site Index lists every page on our site, and is a great way to find exactly what you need to know. But, you'll still have times when you're worried about your puppy's health, and need a bit of direction and another opinion! Questions such as - Is it normal for him to sleep this much? ... and many more, may send you scurrying off to the veterinary surgery needlessly. It's always better to err on the side of caution, but it can be tricky to know when something is important and when it's not. Certain signs or behaviors can indicate more than one condition, and it's important to be able to spot little problems before they turn into big ones! It's also important to know when you can 'wait and see', potentially saving you an unnecessary $60 vet visit fee! There's now another option here on this site. You can try my Ask A Vet page. You'll find an opportunity to get an expert, professional opinion on health issues for a fraction of the cost of a clinic visit. (Of course, if your puppy is really sick, or is injured, it's important to find an in-the-flesh vet right away!) Finally... no matter how much effort you put into choosing a healthy puppy, or how well you take care of your him/her, accidents and illness can (and do) happen. They even happen to the most pampered of pups! If your puppy should be injured or fall seriously ill, the cost of vital veterinary care can be HUGE! To ensure that you don't end up declaring bankruptcy in order to save little Fido's life, take out Pet Health Insurance coverage on your precious pooch as soon as possible. There are good plans available for less than most of us spend on our morning coffee every month, find out more here, it could save your puppy's life one day.
Choosing A Puppy
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