CONSIDERING A PUPPY
HOW TO CHOOSE A PUPPY THAT IS RIGHT FOR YOUR FAMILY
Watch as Expert Dog Trainer Kathy Santo talks about all the research that goes into finding the perfect puppy.
HOW TO TAKE CARE OF A PUPPY
Learn the basics of taking care of a puppy from Dr. Katy Nelson.
WHAT TO KNOW WHEN YOU BRING YOUR PUPPY HOME
A little bit of prep work goes a long way when preparing for a puppy. From basic supplies to puppy-proofing your home, learn how to prepare for your new puppy’s arrival.
BRINGING YOUR PUPPY HOME
TRAIN YOUR PUPPY LIKE A PRO
Congrats! Your adorable lil bundle of fur is finally home. Now it’s time to train your puppy like a pro with our essential puppy training techniques.
HOW TO TRACK YOUR PUPPY'S HEALTH IN THE FIRST YEAR
From vaccine schedules to food intake, learn how to keep your puppy in great health during their first year.
THE BIG DAY: PUPPY'S FIRST VET VISIT
Going to the vet doesn’t have to be scary! Know what to expect for your puppy’s first vet visit and how to best prepare.
IAMS™ Puppy Guide
Download the free IAMS™ Puppy Guide to get expert information on preparing your home, first introductions to family members and other pets, and how to keep them happy and healthy. Don’t bring your puppy home without it!
WATCHING YOUR PUPPY GROW
IS YOUR PUPPY READY FOR ADULT DOG FOOD?
Your puppy’s nutritional needs will change as they grow into adulthood, but how do you know when your puppy is ready for adult dog food?
TIPS FOR YOUR TEETHING PUPPY
Teething is a normal part of puppyhood, and most puppy owners quickly get acquainted with the inevitable chewing — and destruction!
PUPPY CARE GUIDE: KEEPING YOUR PUPPY HEALTHY
Puppy care can be a lot of fun, but also a lot of responsibility. By prioritizing their health and development, you can help them grow into a happy and healthy dog.
IAMS™ PUPPY WEIGHTCHECK
See if your puppy is growing at a healthy rate compared to others their age with the IAMSTM Puppy WeightCheck.
HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR PUPPY?
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Is there a specific way I should introduce my new pup to my family?
We know you’re eager to introduce your new addition to the family, however there are some things to keep in mind to ensure your puppy is comfortable. When you bring them home, it’s ideal to have the house quiet and minimize the number of visitors stopping by for the first few days so you can establish a daily routine. Once your puppy is acclimated, you can then start to make introductions. Here’s our guide for What to do when bringing home a new puppy.
What items do I need to prepare for my new puppy?
Congratulations on your new family member! It’s an exciting time to prep for, but we know it can feel overwhelming. You’ll need some supplies to start your puppy off right, including pet food, food and water bowls, identification tags and more. Checkout this helpful guide that outlines more specifics along with some tips for keeping your puppy safe and how to get them acclimated in their new environment: What to Know When You Bring Your Puppy Home.
How do I know what breed is best for me, my home, and my lifestyle?
Each breed comes with their own unique set of personality traits and needs, so it’s important to consider various factors when selecting the right puppy for your home. You should think about things such as the size of your home, the amount of activity you’re willing to dedicate to your puppy, if you can tolerate barking and shedding, etc. Take the IAMS™ Breed Selector Quiz to see what breed is right for you.
I want to ensure my puppy is getting all the right nutrients and vitamins needed. What should I be looking for when choosing a puppy food?
There are a few things to look for when choosing the best food for your puppy, and IAMS™ premium nutrition has a complete and balanced diet that is great for your growing pup. With optimal levels of protein, fat, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, we want you to feel confident in their nutrition choices. See why Premium Puppy Food is a Better Value and select the best food for your pup with the IAMS™ Food Selector.
When do I swap from puppy food to adult food?
Your puppy’s nutritional needs will change as they grow into adulthood and each pup is different. It’s important to examine their nutritional needs between 12-24 months, depending on breed size, and there is a process to transitioning their food over time. Learn if your puppy is ready for adult dog food and the best way to make this transition.
I am overwhelmed with the amount of chewing and biting from my new puppy, what do I do?
We totally get it – this is part of the puppy parenthood process that everyone goes through. Puppies bite when playing with their littermates, which can be cute at first, but as they grow bigger, it is important to break these habits. Since biting is an unacceptable type of play, it’s important to teach your puppy how to enjoy playing games with toys instead of your hands. Expert Trainer, Kathy Santo, offers some advice on how to stop puppy biting to help break this habit.
How do I keep my puppy happy and healthy?
Asking this question is the first step to getting there. As a pet parent, it’s crucial to provide both preventative and proactive care to keep them happy and healthy. From vaccinations to nutrition to flea and tick medication, the list can seem overwhelming. Check out this helpful guide on How to Track Your Puppy’s Health in the First Year to help you stay on track.
When should I bring my puppy to a veterinarian?
Your puppy’s first vet visit is an easy one to plan for. You should bring your puppy to the vet within the first three days of coming home. Be sure to bring any paperwork from the breeder or shelter – and your new pup of course! See how to prepare for Puppy’s First Vet Visit.
What initial training tips should I be working on with my new puppy?
First, keep in mind practice and patience are the key to success with training. There is a lot that you and your puppy are learning together! Housetraining should be a priority to get them on a regular routine, but there are some other important things to focus on to them up for success. Check out our guide for how to Train Your Puppy Like a Pro for training tips and tricks.
What is the fastest and easiest way to house train a puppy?
House training is all about patience, commitment, and above all, consistency. The more consistent you are, the faster your puppy will learn. Here are some resources to help you house train a puppy including tips to set up routines for success.
What basic care tips should I be mindful of when caring for a puppy?
There’s lots to think about when caring for your new puppy, but it’s helpful to think about them in three categories: Basic Health, Safety and Psychological care. Checkout this article that outlines how to take care of a puppy in more detail.
I have a mixed breed puppy; how do I know what food is best to feed?
There’s no one-size-fits-all for choosing the right food since all dogs differ in breed, size, lifestyle, age, health conditions and so on. One easy way to learn more about your mixed breed pup’s nutrition needs is to DNA test with a WISDOM PANEL™ test kit. Once you learn more about their breed breakout, the IAMS™ Food Selector can help you determine the appropriate nutrition choices. Learn More at IAMSandWisdomPanel.com. In the meantime, you can checkout this helpful guide on How to Choose a Dog Food Diet to Meet your Dog’s Nutritional Needs
BE PREPARED FOR EVERY STAGE OF YOUR PUPPY'S LIFE
IAMS™ BREED SELECTOR
Find your perfect puppy with our Breed Selector tool. Enter your dream dog’s ideal size, maintenance and energy levels, and we’ll suggest breeds that best suits you and your lifestyle.
IAMS™ Puppy Guide
Get all of the puppy knowledge you need, all in one place. Check out the IAMS™ Puppy Guide. It’s a free resource packed with information from experts to help you prepare for your new puppy.
HELPFUL RESOURCES WHEN CONSIDERING A PUPPY
Adopt a Pet
Is the right puppy for you already out there? Tell Adopt a Pet what you're looking for and you'll get results from shelters, rescues and individuals. You'll also get alerts when they find a new match.
PETconnect
Chat about your puppy’s health with real IAMS Nutrition Advisors or licensed Vet Technicians from the PETconnect service. It’s a free, easy and instant way to get general tips and advice.
HELPFUL TIPS FOR BRINGING YOUR PUPPY HOME
WISDOM PANEL™
Uncover the details of your pet’s DNA with a Wisdom Panel™ DNA test and get tailored nutrition solutions and healthcare tips with IAMS™.
IAMS™ FOOD FINDER
Just like humans, dogs need different nutrients and portions at different ages and stages. The ‘IAMS Food Finder Quiz’ asks questions like age, breed and weight to find the best food for your puppy now and in the future.
HELPFUL TIPS & RESOURCES FOR WATCHING YOUR PUPPY GROW
WHISTLE™
The WHISTLE™ smart device gives you data insights into your dog’s daily behavior to help you select the IAMS dog food that’s best for them.
GOT QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR PUPPY'S GROWTH?