Do you know how much your puppy is eating each day? Do you know how much he should be eating each day? The label on the package may not be specific enough for a young, growing puppy.

Not only does a puppy need an appropriate amount of food each day, he also needs exercise. If you are increasing your puppy’s food intake, be sure to increase their amount of exercise as well so they don’t develop weight problems.

If your puppy is eating too little, start increasing his food intake slowly over a period of two weeks. If at that time he reaches an ideal weight, you can keep the food amount there. Do the opposite for an overfed dog.

An overweight (or underweight) dog is more likely to get sick than a dog at a healthy weight. Starting your puppy out at a healthy weight while he is young will help him now and later.

You can avoid a fever getting out of hand by checking your puppy’s temperature regularly. Two or three times a week should do it. A dog’s temperature should be between 99.5 and 102.5 degrees.

Your vet can show you how to take a dog’s temperature. The thermometer will need to be inserted into the rectum, so be sure to have plenty of mineral oil or petroleum jelly on hand.

Wait three minutes then pull the thermometer out slowly and read the results. The mercury level will rise to the accurate temperature. If your puppy is running a fever, you’ll want to call your vet immediately and arrange to have him seen.

Make absolutely certain that you purchase a rectal thermometer for this purpose! An oral thermometer is likely to give you a false reading and make you think your puppy is sick when he is not. Now have fun getting your puppy off to a healthy start!

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