Puppy Care
What does your new puppy need?
Simple guidelines to enjoy and care for your puppy, including information on high-quality puppy food, vaccinations, worm and flea prevention, veterinary health checks, socialisation, training, safe exercise, identification and microchipping.
Weaning
- Puppies are fully weaned and on solid food by 6 weeks.
Toilet training
- Start as soon as you bring your puppy home.
- Take outside 15 minutes after eating, waking, playing, and before/after bedtime.
- If an accident happens, calmly carry them outside - never punish.
- Praise successful toileting to reinforce good habits.
Diet
Feed a balanced, specially formulated puppy diet—no extra supplements or milk needed.
Meal schedule:
- 0–8 weeks: 4 meals/day
- 8–12 weeks: 3 meals/day
- 12 weeks–6 months: 2 meals/day
- After 6 months: 1 meal/day optional.
Always provide fresh water.
Avoid raw meats; offer safe chew toys like rawhide or rubber chews.
Worming
- Treat roundworms every 2 weeks from 2 weeks of age until 3 months old.
- From 3 months onward, worm every 3–4 months against roundworm, hookworm, whipworm, and tapeworm.
- Wash your hands after handling puppies and promptly dispose of faeces.
Flea control
- Year-round prevention is vital to avoid anaemia and skin disease.
- Consult our team for the safest, most effective flea treatment for your puppy.
Desexing
- Spey or neuter at 4–6 months to prevent unwanted litters, roaming, aggression, and certain diseases.
Vaccination
- Core vaccines (parvo, distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis): start at 6 weeks, then every 3–4 weeks to 16 weeks.
- Booster at 6 months, then every 1–3 years as advised.
- Limit park and dog interactions until 10 days after the final puppy injection.
- Kennel cough vaccine recommended for boarding or daycare.
Socialisation
- Critical window: 4–16 weeks.
- Exposure to people, environments, sounds, and other dogs in positive, controlled settings.
- Puppy preschool is a great option—ask us for details.
Registration & Microchipping
- Register your dog with your local council at 3 months old.
- It is a legal requirement to Microchip within 2 months of registration for permanent ID. We can process the paperwork.
Pet Insurance
- Consider a policy to help cover unexpected health costs.
- Brochures are available in our clinic waiting area.
Any questions?
Our team is here to support you and your new puppy every step of the way.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should my puppy have its first vaccination?
Puppies should start vaccinations at 6 weeks of age.
How often does my puppy need worm and flea treatment?
Regular treatment is needed throughout puppyhood and adulthood.
What should I feed my puppy?
Choose a high-quality puppy food that matches your puppy's age and breed size.
When should I start training and socialisation?
Start early to build confidence, good behaviour and positive experiences.
Does my puppy need a microchip?
Yes. Microchipping is a legal requirement for most puppies in NZ & it helps identify your puppy if they become lost.
How often should my puppy visit the vet?
Regular health checks help monitor growth and development and support preventative care.