How to Care for
Your Puppy ?
Congratulations! You have decided to take the next big step in expanding your family – soon you will be welcoming a four-legged bundle of joy into the family!
Bringing a new puppy home for the first time is an incredibly exciting time for the whole family and it’s a big change for you and your puppy – from your puppy being with mum and siblings to getting used to a whole new house, lifestyle and family. With a bit of preparation, you can make the transition easier. This puppy guide will serve as your go-to resource for everything you need to know about raising a happy, healthy four-legged family member, from her first day home to her first birthday and beyond.
FEED THEM A HEALTHY DIET
Need for nutrient-density – His kibble must be nutrient-dense. In other words, his food needs to have more protein, fat, carbohydrate, vitamins, minerals, and more calories packed into fewer kibbles. In general, small dogs should consume more calories per pound than larger dogs do.
Fast metabolism and limited energy reserve – Small breed dogs tend to have such fast metabolism rates and don’t store up as much energy as larger dogs can, your puppy may benefit from smaller, more frequent throughout the day, especially if he’s very active or a puppy. A rapidly growing small breed puppy’s metabolism rate can burn through meals extremely quickly, so they require a formulated-for-puppies dog food with feeding occasions spaced out over 2 to 3 times a day.
Hypoglycaemia is when your puppy’s blood sugar level drops to an abnormally low level. It usually occurs in small breed puppies when they are young (from 6-12 weeks of age), because they’re less able to store and mobilise glucose (sugar).
Adult dogs who are overly exhausted due to sustained exercise or activities, and those who have certain underlying diseases, can suffer from hypoglycaemic attacks as well.
Teacup puppies are prone to hypoglycaemia, so keep some oral glucose paste (available at drugstores) handy.
Common causes of hypoglycaemia are things that may happen rather frequently (e.g. the puppy is too cold, too hungry, too tired, or has an upset stomach). It can happen without any warning to a healthy puppy.
DOGS HAVE NUTRITIONAL NEEDS THAT ARE DIFFERENT TO OURS

ALWAYS USE A HARNESS AND A BELL
Invest in a harness and bell for your teacup puppy. By attaching a bell to their collar, you’ll always know where they are. A bell will help to keep your puppy safe, especially as they love to chase your feet.
When you take your puppy for a walk, attach a lead to a harness rather than a collar. It’s much more comfortable and safer for your pup to be attached to a body harness.
KEEP YOUR PUPPY SAFE
Help to keep your teacup puppy safe around the home by buying puppy stairs that go up and down the main pieces of furniture. This will help them get safely on and off things like the sofa and prevent them from falling from a great height.
Watch children with your puppy
Most children love dogs, especially puppies and especially tiny, adorable teacup puppies! Supervising children while they’re playing with your teacup puppy is a must, teach children to be gentle and careful with their new puppy.
INTRODUCING KIDS TO PUPPIES
Kids and puppies have lots in common: They’re inquisitive, impatient, and easily excited! This is why it’s important to carefully supervise first encounters between a new puppy and your children. But the rewards are wonderful — a truly close bond and a lifelong love of dogs.
CREATE A COSY SLEEPING SPACE
When you first bring your puppy home, make sure they’ve got their own safe and warm room to explore. It can be intimidating for a puppy to suddenly have access to a massive house!
Let your dog adjust to their new home slowly by putting them in 1 room to begin with. They always need to have plenty of fresh drinking water available and a comfortable warm bed that they can easily climb on and off.
CONSIDER BUYING A PUPPY PLAYPEN
A puppy playpen is a great idea, even if you’re home all day with your puppy.
It gives you peace of mind that your puppy is in a safe, contained place when you’re busy or away from home.
PUPPY STAIRS
Help to keep your teacup puppy safe around the home by buying puppy stairs that go up and down the main pieces of furniture. This will help them get safely on and off things like the sofa.

START TRAINING
The basics include:
Once you’ve got these great behaviours established, you can teach your dog to play and even do tricks.
Watch out for bad behaviour, like constant barking. You’ll need to discipline gently to discourage such behaviour. For extra support, you could try a professional dog trainer.
LIKE ANY OTHER DOG, TEACUP DOGS NEED GOOD TRAINING


LET THEM CHEW
When they’re teething, your teacup puppy will want to chew to ease the pain they’re experiencing. To prevent them chewing anything you don’t want them to, stock up on teething toys. Look for toys that:
When does a teacup puppy start and stop teething?

4 Months Old
The incisors begin to grow in.

5 Months Old
The canine teeth begin to grow in.

6 Months Old
The molars begin to grow in.

8 Months Old
All their teeth ascended and stop teething.
*Some puppies are late bloomers,
so teething may last a little longer.
GROOMING
Brushing helps keep your puppy’s coat shiny and healthy. When washing them, use only puppy-safe shampoo. You’ll need to trim your puppy’s nails regularly too.
Depending on the type of teacup puppy you choose, they’ll have different grooming needs.
If your puppy has long hair, they’ll need frequent grooming to prevent matted and tangled hair that could limit their movement. Use a slicker brush to smooth them out and safety scissors to trim their hair.
These types of coats are very easy to look after – they need just occasional brushing.
PROVIDE THEM WITH TOYS
Giving your puppy toys will help them stay busy and not look for non-toys, like your shoes, to play with. Teacup puppies love small chew toys, balls and soft squeaky toys.
GET A DOG CARRIER
Keep our pup safe when you go outside by carrying her in a pet carrier bag.
