Does my 3-month-old Shih Tzu puppy need vitamin supplements?

It is not recommended to give puppies any multivitamins. That is because this can lead to giving him too many vitamins, thus have adverse affects on his growth. I would feed Akki a puppy formulated food, which will provide him will all the nutrients and vitamins he needs to grow.

It is not recommended to give vitamins and supplements to a puppy. Lilo should only be getting a puppy formulated dog food, which will provide her with all the supplements and vitamins she needs to grow properly. Giving her too many can cause toxicity as well as adversely affect her growth. I hope this helps!

Congratulations on your new pet! It is not recommended to bathe a pup less than 3 monmths of age. You can use plain, unscented baby wipes or pet wipes to spot clean her as needed. Feed a good quality puppy food. Stay away from store or discount brands as these typically contain low quality ingredients and more fillers. The breeder may give you a bag of food to go home with. If Blush eats it, does well on it and it is easy for you to get then stick with it. If you need to change diets, do it gradually, over the course of 7-10 days, to prevent gastrointestinal upset. Try to avoid switching diets frequently to avoid creating a picky eater. She should not need vitamin supplementation if she is eating a quality puppy food. Dogs have similar tolerances for temperature that we do. If it is too cold fo ryou inside, it is too cold for her. Air conditioning should be tolerable for her. You can start crate training her or wee wee pad trainign her as soon as you get home. If you use a crate, it should be just big enough for her to stand, turn around and lay down. Start a schedule for bathroom breaks. She should go out first thing in the morning, after naps, about 20-30 minutes after eating or playing and just before bedtime. She will likely need to go out one or two times during the night as well. Choose one spot in your yard and allow her to use it. She can go outside in your yard. She should not be exposed to dogs of unknown vaccine statuse until about 2 weeks after she receives her last vaccine.

Congrats on your new puppy. I would first reference your puppy food, since every food has a different kcal/kibble ratio that will change how much you should feed her. However, on average you will feed a puppy 3 times a day and for a small breed dog it will be around 1/8-1/4 cup each feeding. Adjust your amount based on her specific needs and also the guidelines on the bag. https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=5985068 Once she is 6-8 months of age you can reduce her feedings to twice daily instead of 3 times daily due to reduced calorie requirements as she matures into an adolescent. Best wishes with your new puppy and don't forget to go ahead and get her started on her puppy vaccines as well. 8 weeks is when we start the series in all breeds. Take care!

If you feed a good quality puppy food, you shouldn't need to supplement with additional vitamins. Any excess will typically be excreted in the urine. If you feed a homemade diet, vitamin supplementation is recommended. Review the ingredients with your vet to confirm proper dosing.

A multivitamin is ok, but it doesn't contain the protein and fats that Bella needs to grow healthy puppies. I would try a few different brands of puppy food. You can also use balanceit.com to make a homemade recipe for her. If she still isn't eating in a few days, I would talk to your vet about her being ill.

Usually there is no need to supplement vitamins if your puppy is fed with a balanced and complete diet. I normally see in practice more problems due to incorrect vitamin supplementation than hypovitaminosis. Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.