Feeding 

Feeding your pup the correct type and amount of food is crucial to their long-term health and well-being!

What should I feed my puppy? 

Feed a balanced complete puppy diet suitable for your puppy’s size and breed. Growing puppies have twice the calorie requirements of adult dogs and need a lot of extra nutrients to support those growing bones and brains!

Wet, dry (kibble) or something else?

Wet food (canned) is highly palatable but expensive. Dry food (kibble) is versatile, cost-effective, easy to use, and can be moistened with water or broth if preferred.  Other options, such as freeze-dried, dehydrated, fresh, and raw diets require vet guidance. You can read more about mixed feeding here.

How often should I feed my puppy?

With high energy requirements, fast metabolisms, and small tummies, puppies need small frequent meals. As they grow, the frequency of feeds can be reduced and the size increased.

• 6–12 week-old puppy: 4 times per day 
• 3-6 months old: Gradually reduce to 3 meals – take a little out of 1 meal and build up the others, gradually adjusting timing to keep meals evenly spaced.
• 6-12 months old: Reduce to twice daily feeding, taking account of altered nutritional needs during this time, such as neutering or working. Talk to a vet for professional advice.
• Keep feeding intervals regular: Establishing a routine helps prevent overeating, indigestion, and bloating, and reduces the risk of food guarding.

How much should I feed my puppy?

• Watch your puppy, not the food bowl! Consult the feeding guidelines on packaging, but remember they are just a guide. Weight gained in puppyhood is hard to shake, risking damage to vulnerable joints, as well as diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis in later life. 
• Be aware and responsive to your puppy’s needs. Monitor their weight and body condition weekly and adjust feeding before any problems become established.

When can my puppy start eating adult dog food?

• Small breeds can transition to adult food at 10-12 months, while larger breeds may need puppy food until they’re 12-18 months old.

Our trained and experienced Joii nurses are on hand every weekday for one-to-one advice on feeding your new furry family member.

Preventive Care

Vaccinations

What vaccines does my puppy need?

• Your puppy needs a course of core and essential vaccines to protect against serious viral illnesses, including Parvovirus, Canine Distemper, and Infectious Canine Hepatitis.
• Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection causing liver and kidney damage. It’s spread through rat and animal urine and it can also infect humans. Yearly vaccination gives protection for you and your pup.
• Other vaccinations include Kennel Cough and Rabies. Kennel cough is a contagious, but usually mild respiratory infection and vaccination is often required for boarding kennels. Rabies is a fatal nerve disease that isn’t present in the UK, but is a risk when travelling abroad.

Are there any risks?

Vaccinations are one of the most common and safe treatments in medicine. Mild side effects may include fever or soreness lasting 1-2 days, while serious allergic reactions are rare (1 in 10,000 cases) and managed with prompt veterinary care. Chat to our Joii vets online if you have any questions about your pup’s vaccines.

Flea and Worm Prevention

When should I start flea/tick prevention, and what should I use?

Puppies can pick up fleas and ticks early, so prevention should start from 8 weeks old. There are lots of effective products, including sprays, spot-ons, and tablets. Check with a vet which ones are safe to use in puppies.

What other skin parasites are common in puppies?

• Ear mites cause itchy ears and a dark reddish-brown discharge. Treatment options include prescription spot-ons, tablets or ear drops, but often require repeated doses to fully clear the infection.
• Cheyletiella mites, also called ‘walking dandruff’ because of the appearance of the tiny white mites on your pup’s coat. Fipronil spray is a readily available treatment suitable for puppies.
• Demodex mites live in hair follicles, sometimes causing hair loss. Talk to a vet if you think your pup is developing bald patches, particularly on their face, and around the eyes (as if your pup’s wearing spectacles!)

Why do I need to worm my puppy?

• Puppies are highly vulnerable to worms and often become infected before birth or through their mother’s milk. Severe cases may cause breathing problems, pneumonia, or life-threatening intestinal blockages.
• Worms may cause a pot belly, weight loss, poor coat condition, diarrhoea, vomiting, or visible worms in stool, although some infections show no outward signs. And worms can be a risk to human health too, especially children.

When should I worm my puppy and what should I use?

Puppies need frequent worming, starting from two weeks old, along with flea control to prevent reinfection, regular hygiene, and limiting scavenging.

• Worm your growing puppy monthly from 3 to 6 months old, then at least 4 times per year. Older puppies and adult dogs who scavenge may need to be wormed more often, every 6 weeks.
• Vet-approved wormers come in tablet, liquid, paste, or spot-on form, with specific treatments needed for different worm types. 
• Most intestinal worm treatments only kill adult worms present in the intestine. Regular worming prevents a new population of worms from establishing in your pup’s tummy.

Starting Good Habits Early

Should I brush my puppy’s teeth?

Yes! Dental care should start early to prevent problems and costly dental treatment later in life.

• Plaque build-up from bacteria and food particles hardens into tartar and leads to dental disease if it’s not managed with regular brushing.
• Choose a soft-bristle child’s toothbrush or fingerbrush. Even a small piece of microfibre cloth wrapped around a finger will work. Toothpaste for dogs not only tastes appealing, but it’s also mildly abrasive for thorough cleaning and contains enzymes to inhibit damaging bacteria.

How often should I bathe my puppy?

• Baths can improve hygiene and health by removing dirt and unpleasant odours and in the management of skin conditions, such as allergies or infections. 
• Bathing needs vary. Some dogs need a bath every week, others only a few times a year. But overbathing can cause skin issues, so once a month is usually enough (unless they get particularly dirty!). Choose a mild shampoo suitable for puppies.

Bath time is also a great chance to check your puppy’s ears. Clean them gently if needed. You’ll find advice on how to do this safely and effectively in the Joii Pet Health Index.

Training & Socialisation

• Create a positive training environment: Use a calm, distraction-free space and ensure your puppy is fed and comfortable.
• Use positive reinforcement: Reward good behaviour with praise or treats and be patient. Keep sessions short and fun.
• Stay consistent and track progress: Train one behaviour at a time, remain calm, and adjust the pace if needed.
• Toilet training: Establish a routine with regular outdoor breaks, reward success with praise or treats, supervise indoors, and clean accidents thoroughly to prevent repeat mistakes.
• Puppy classes can also help with socialisation and obedience. It’s best to start these as soon as possible, so your pup gets used to being around other dogs. Joii can help with advice and support 24/7, and specialist behaviour consultations by appointment. 

Exercise

When can I take my puppy for a walk?

• As a general rule, your puppy can go for short walks 2 weeks after completing the first course of vaccinations, usually when they’re around 12 weeks old.
• They may not be fully protected until 16-18 weeks old or later, depending on their breed and individual circumstances. Follow your vet’s advice to keep your pup safe from infectious illnesses.

Should I use a collar and lead, or a harness?  

• A harness is a better option for growing puppies, as well as Brachycephalic (short-faced) breeds and small dogs. 

How much exercise does my puppy need?

Regular exercise helps puppies explore their world, grow strong and gain confidence. But over-exercising can damage growing bones and joints. Too little may lead to boredom, frustration and behavioural issues.

• The right amount of exercise for your puppy depends on their breed, size, and any other health issues. Short walks several times a day are key, although the popular advice, ‘‘5 minutes of exercise per month of age’, twice a day” is neither scientific nor suitable for many pups. Let your puppy rest if they seem tired and remember not to tire them out before the journey home! Our vets and trained vet nurses are available for advice at any time.
• Until your new pup is old enough to safely go for walks, encourage their development, stimulate their developing brain, and burn off some of that puppy energy with safe, appropriate toys and games.

Common Puppy Problems

How do I deal with teething?

Puppies start losing baby teeth at 3-5 months, with adult teeth fully emerging by 7 months, often causing discomfort as they push through the gums. Teething can cause chewing, drooling, swollen gums, bad breath, appetite changes, and increased nipping. Choose safe and suitable teething toys, teething gels, and cooled treats to help you, your pup, and the furniture get through this challenging time! 

Is it normal for my puppy to sleep so much?

Yes! Puppies can sleep 16-20 hours a day. They need plenty of rest to grow, and a comfy, supportive bed to sleep in. Check out these snooze-worthy options in the Joii store.

What to do if your pup is unwell?

With any new addition to the family comes the worries of how to know if something’s wrong and what to do in an emergency. Whether it’s vomiting and diarrhoea, excessive itchiness, or behaviour challenges, always seek veterinary advice if you have concerns about your puppy. Worried about your puppy’s health? Try our free symptom checker to get instant insights and peace of mind!

Need expert advice? 🩺🐾 Joii vets are available 24/7—speak to them now for peace of mind!