Just got a new puppy: What shots, food, and care does she need?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Small (up to 22lb) | Female | unspayed | 1 month and 16 days old | 1lb
Bought a Jack Russell Terrier Shih-Tzu mix for $300 last night I need to know what shots she needs and what type of food would be best and anything else you think I should know. :) thanks
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on February 5th, 2018
She will need a full course of vaccination, you can see the full schedule here: http://www.akc.org/content/health/articles/puppy-shots-complete-guide/ I recommend a high quality food such as Orijen or Acana for example. She also need to be dewormed, this is something you can start right away, it will need to be repeated 2 weeks apart until the age of 3 months.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on January 31st, 2019
First thing to do is take the puppy into the vet for a health check and to discuss her vaccine schedule. I will put links below on how to care for a new puppy, but please call a vet to make her an appointment. Best of luck. https://www.petcoach.co/article/supplies-needed-for-a-new-puppy/ https://www.petcoach.co/article/bringing-your-new-puppy-home/
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
New Pet
Pup sent home with us at 6 weeks. Has had first set of shots.is there anything special we need to do
Congrats! I would just schedule a wellness visit with your vet soon so they can make sure he is healthy and no obvious issues. I would make sure he is on a large breed puppy food and that he is eating 2-3 times per day. I would go ahead and start crate training him if you are planning to do this to help house break him. See link below for tips. If his 1st set of shots were given before he was 6 weeks old, then there is a good chance your vet may want to repeat his 1st set of shots simply because any shots given before 6 weeks technically don't count. I hope this helps! https://www.petco.com/content/petco/PetcoStore/en_US/pet-services/resource-center/new-pet/Puppy-and-Dog-Crate-Training.html
Updated on September 24th, 2025
New Pet
I just got a new puppy i wanted to see what i could feed her how often i feed her if i use potty pads or take her out how often i take her out to potty and when do i give her 1st shot and can i get more info on how to take care of her please
Congrats on your new addition! Ideally, she should be physically examined by your veterinarian within 3 days of arriving home to confirm good health or to diagnose and treat any preexisting conditions. At the very least, she will likely need to be dewormed. Vaccines can start around 6 weeks of age and will continue every 4 weeks until about 16 weeks of age. Discuss monthly parasite prevention with your vet to protect against worms, fleas, ticks and heartworm. Feed a good quality puppy food. Look for brands such as Canidae, Acana or Merrick. You can feed according tot the directions on the bag, just know that each puppy is different and you may need to adjust the amount if Coqueta is gaining too much weight or not enough weight. Avoid store or discount brands as these may contain low quality ingredients and more fillers. Puppies typically need to go about about 20-30 minutes after eating, sleeping or playing. Expect accidents, they are going to happen. Since dogs thrive on routine, star
Updated on September 24th, 2025
New Pet
I have a new labrador mixed with husky pup. She is about 5-6 months. Current owner said she has no shots. How should I get this pup a good care. What needs to be donw Thanks
Congratulations on your new puppy! It is very important to get her vaccines started immediately! Parvo is a devastating disease that is highly preventable with appropriate vaccinations. Make an appointment with her veterinarian ASAP to start her vaccine series and get her tested for parasites. Until she finishes her vaccine series, you must avoid public areas as this is where she is most likely to pick up disease. You also need to start her on flea and heart worm prevention to help avoid her getting parasites that she can spread to humans. Lastly, plan on getting her spayed soon. Spayed female dogs are more likely to avoid several types of cancers and infections as well as unwanted pregnancies. Please post with any further questions!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Vaccination and nutrition
Hello and welcome to Boop by Petco. It looks like you have a new puppy. Congratulations. I would recommend feeding a good quality puppy food (dry biscuits mixed with wet canned food), about 4 times a day. He should be vaccinated at 8 weeks, 12 weeks and 16 weeks of age. I would keep him inside and away from other dogs until he is fully vaccinated. Best of luck with Jack.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
New Pet
Just adopted an 8 week old Cane Corso pup, what shots and tests should we get done, and when?
Hi there! Congratulations on your new pup :) If she hasn't had anything done yet, she will need a vet visit for her first DAPP vaccine (for distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus, and parainfluenza) as well as a general wellness check-up. She should also have a fecal exam for parasites, and should be dewormed if any are found. She's also old enough to start on heartworm prevention if this is a problem in your area - the vet should be able to advise you if this is needed. After that, she will need to have her DAPP vaccine boostered every 3-4 weeks until she's 16 weeks or older. She will also need a rabies vaccine at 16 weeks. Other vaccinations, such as Lyme disease, leptospirosis, or Bordetella (kennel cough) may also be recommended depending on what is common in your area and her risk of exposure. Your veterinarian should discuss this with you at her check-up visit, and will let you know if any of these vaccines are needed.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I am bringing home a black lab puppy on Saturday, May 19, 2018 and she was born April 13, 2018. The current owner said she got all shots except parvo. This is my first time owning a dog, so I want to make sure I'm fully prepared and do everything I n
If this puppy was born on April 13th, then she is too young to have gotten any vaccines. She will be five weeks of age when you get her, and puppies are not old enough to be first vaccinated until they are six to eight weeks of age. I would make an appointment with a vet for a week after you get her to start her vaccines. She will not be fully vaccinated until she has three series of her DHPPi combination shot (distemper, hepatitis, parvo, parainfluenza) each given four weeks apart. Until that time, she should not be allowed in public, do not take her for walks, and only have her potty in your backyard. She will be susceptible to catching parvo and distemper until she is fully vaccinated, and since those are so deadly, you want to avoid it. The vet will go over the vaccine schedule with you, and discuss getting her rabies vaccines as well (that is required by law). The vet will also talk with you about deworming, flea treatment, and heartworm treatment. Make sure to get her a h
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hi, I just got a puppy a few days ago, I wanted to get his shots and maybe anything else he would need to make sure his healthy! Do you know what I would need to get besides the shots and how much would all of it be?
Congrats on a new puppy! Some vaccines are based on lifestyle and your region. Your vet will consult with you and recommend vaccines based on lifestyle. Core vaccines are DHP/PV (distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza and parvo. This must be boostered every 3 weeks until 14-16 weeks old. Rabies is given once a year at 12 weeks or older. Bordatella is usually given once every 6-12 months. Optional vaccines are leptospirosis which is a fatal bacterial infection that can cause kidney and liver failure and is spread by wildlife. I see this in my area and strongly recommend it, it can also infect people! Lymes vaccine is optional and important in areas where this disease is prevalent. Canine influenza vaccine is also important if you live in areas with outbreaks or travel with your pet, or go to doggie daycare. Fecals and deworming is important and is usually done during vaccines. Heartworm prevention and flea/tick prevention is also important. There are many reasons to neuter includ
Updated on September 24th, 2025
New Pet
I have adopted a street dog (a small pup). I live in India. I am a first time parent. Please guide me through this. What are the first necessary steps I need to take in order to ensure my pup's health as well as my family's? Also, which vaccines shou
Hi, thanks for using Boop by Petco! Congratulations!! Bruno is adorable! Bruno needs to start his puppy vaccines. He should receive a DHPP (distemper, hepatitis, parvo and parainfluenza) vaccine every 3-4 weeks starting around 7-8 weeks of age until he receives two past 12 weeks. He should get his rabies vaccine between 12-16 weeks. He can start being dewormed as well. Having him dewormed and Rabies vaccination will protect your family. Keep up with his vaccinations into adulthood as they do have expiration dates. Deworm yearly. I recommend puppy food until 1 year of age. I like Purina proplan, hills science diet and Royal Canin. As a puppy his energy level is like a new born. Play for a bit then sleep. Around 4 months they are awake more. So playing with him when awake and 2-3 walks a day are appropriate. Distance can increase with age and endurance. See below for links on training. I wish you and Bruno the best! https://www.petcoach.co/article/basic-dog-puppy-training-rules/ h
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I just bought a dog today was told she is 9 months old and never had any shots. What shots do I need to get her
You should book a vet appointment as soon as you can for a routine check up and vaccinations and de worming. Your vet can help you with any vaccines you need for your area but typically the first/ basic vaccine is a combined coverage for 4-5 typical and common diseases and is pretty standard. Rabies is usually recommended and given as a separate injection (during the same appointment). You will need to take your dog for a second appointment for some follow up boosters (you vet will tell you when, usually a couple weeks to a month later). Until these vaccines have been administered and a couple weeks have passed before your dog is provided with full immunity, it is best to avoid public places where other dogs frequent or contact with other dogs to prevent infection of illness.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
New Pet
Can puppies eat meat? I have a 5 month old puppy who was given to me as a gift but I’m unsure if she’s up to date with her shots I want to know if I should still get her to a vet to get her any vaccines
Puppies can eat meat, however it is best to feed them a complete puppy food for small to medium sized dogs, Ask the person who gave you the dog who their vet was. You can then ask this vet to send paper work telling you whether your puppy was vaccinated or not. If you cannot get that information it is safer to have her go through the whole basic vaccination process (3 courses of vaccination).
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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