Care for Your Puppy
Published in association with the RSPCA, the UK’s leading animal welfare charity, this practical family guide is full of expert advice on how to choose a puppy and how best to look after it.If you already own or are planning to buy a puppy this easy-to-use introductory guide is a must. Clearly illustrated with colour photographs throughout, it covers all aspects of daily care including housing, feeding, hygiene, grooming, exercise and first aid.Published in association with the experts at the RSPCA, this book will help you ensure that you are giving your puppy the best possible start in life.
Читать Care for Your Puppy онлайн беплатно
HarperCollinsPublishers 1 London Bridge Street London SE1 9GF
First published 1985 as Care for your Puppy by William Collins Sons & Co Ltd
This new edition published 2015
© Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals 2015
RSPCA name and logo are trademarks of RSPCA used by HarperCollinsPublishers Limited under licence from RSPCA Trading Limited. From every book sold 5% of HarperCollinsâ proceeds from sales will be paid to RSPCA Trading Limited which pays all of its taxable profits to the RSPCA. Registered in England and Wales, Charity No. 219099 www.rspca.org.uk
The RSPCA is registered in England and Wales, Charity No. 219099
Front cover image: RSPCA
This book has been compiled on the basis of expert advice and scientific research. To the best of our knowledge it is correct at the time of going to press. The information contained in this book is intended only as a guide. If you are unsure, or you have any concerns about your pet(s), you must speak to a vet, who will be able to give you advice that is appropriate for your individual animal(s).
The Animal Welfare Act 2006 applies to England and Wales. Similar separate legislation covers Scotland and Northern Ireland, so owners must fulfil the same legal duties of care.
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins.
Source ISBN: 9780008118273
eBook Edition © 2015 ISBN: 9780008119218 Version: 2015-04-16
Owning a puppy can be incredibly rewarding and a great source of companionship. Pets can provide opportunities for social interactions, helping people feel less lonely and isolated. Growing up with pets also offers health benefits, and caring for an animal can help improve a childâs social skills, encouraging the development of compassion, understanding and a respect for living things. Having a puppy is, however, a huge responsibility and requires long-term commitment in terms of care and finances.
Before getting a puppy, it is important that time is taken to discuss the commitment and care required with all family members, and that everyone agrees to having and looking after a puppy in the home. Bear in mind that once you have your puppy there is a legal requirement under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 to care for them properly, so you must be sure that you will be able to do this throughout your puppyâs life. This means providing somewhere suitable for them to live, a healthy diet, opportunities to behave normally, the provision of appropriate company, and ensuring that they are well.
If you are able to care for a puppy properly and make the decision to go ahead, then please consider giving a home to one of the many puppies currently in the RSPCAâs animal centres throughout England and Wales.
This book is based on up-to-date knowledge of dog behaviour and welfare approved by the RSPCA. It has been written to provide you with all the care information you need to keep your puppy happy and healthy throughout your lives together. We hope you enjoy it.
Samantha Gaines BSc (Hons) MSc PhD
Alice Potter BSc (Hons) MSc Lisa Richards BSc (Hons) Jane Tyson BSc (Hons) MSc PhD Animal behaviour and welfare experts, Companion Animals Department, RSPCA
Becky Murray/RSPCA
Eight-week-old crossbreed puppies.
Owning and caring for a dog can be great fun and very rewarding. It is also a big responsibility and a long-term commitment. Typically, dogs live for around 12 years, but some may live much longer, so before you get a puppy here are some of the things you need to consider:
Keeping a dog is costly
There is the initial expense of the puppy and everything they will need, such as toys and bedding. There are also long-term costs you should budget for, such as food, insurance, the cost of boarding kennels or pet sitters when you go on holiday, and veterinary care, which includes vaccinations.
Dogs need space
Before you commit, consider whether you have enough space for a dog. All dogs, even small ones, need exercise and somewhere they can rest undisturbed. So have a think about whether there is space in your house (and also in your car), and if there are suitable places where you can take your dog for regular exercise.
