Puppy to Dog: Your Pet's Life Stages
Original article on pets.webmd.com
As your dog grows from puppy to senior, you'll need to adjust how you take care of them. Here's what to expect as they move through six stages of life.
Puppies and How to Take Care of Them
Life Stage No. 1: Puppy. Your dog is a puppy from the time it's a newborn until it's able to reproduce.
This happens at different ages, depending on the breed of your dog. Small breeds tend to reach sexual maturity earlier than larger breeds.
Weaning. Puppies slowly switch from their mother's milk to eating other foods when they're 3 or 4 weeks old. They should be fully switched over from milk to food by the time they're 7 or 8 weeks old.
Feeding. The number of feedings per day changes as your puppy gets older:
2 to 3 months old: 4 times a day
3 to 6 months old: 3 times a day
6 months old to 1 year old (up to 24 months in larger breeds): 2 times a day
After age 1, feed your dog once or twice a day. Tiny dogs may need more frequent meals.
Dental Care. Dogs may show signs of gum disease by age 4 -- or even as early as age 1 in some small-breed dogs -- if you don't take proper care of their teeth. So the right time to begin proper dental care is when your dog is still a puppy. To clean your puppy's teeth, use a special toothbrush made for dogs or else use a clean piece of gauze wrapped around your finger. You can make your own toothpaste out of baking soda and water or buy one that is specially formulated for dogs. Never use toothpaste that's meant for people.
House training. You can introduce the idea of house training as soon as your puppy is weaned. They are still developing, though, so don't expect them to learn quickly. By the time they are 4 to 6 months old, they can usually go without having accidents.
Spaying and neutering. You may want to have your puppy spayed (removing females' ovaries and uterus) or neutered (removing males' testicles). These operations keep dogs from reproducing and having more puppies. They are usually done when your puppy is around 6 months old.
Spaying and neutering while they are puppies rather than as adults can help prevent problems like breast cancer and testicular disease when they get older.
Vaccines. Dogs need several rounds of vaccinations or shots during their first year. Talk to your veterinarian about which ones your dog needs and when to get them.
Adult Dogs and Their Care
In these three stages your dog is in the prime of their life. The ages for these stages may differ with each breed, but here are some guidelines:
Life Stage No. 2: Junior. Now your dog is kind of like a teenager. Although they can reproduce, they are still growing, so are not quite an adult yet. Their age in this stage ranges from 6 to 12 months.
Life Stage No. 3: Adult. Your dog is officially an "adult" once they have finished growing. They look and behave like a grown dog. Their age ranges from 1 to 7 years.
Life Stage No. 4: Mature. Your dog has hit middle age! Their age is older than 7 years. Breeds that are smaller -- as measured by weight, not height -- tend to live longer than bigger dogs.
While they're usually easier to care for than puppies, grown dogs still need your help with a few things so they can live their best:
Exercise. No matter their life stage, be sure your dog gets plenty of exercise. It will help keep them happy and at a healthy weight. Just don’t overdo it, especially in large and giant breeds, because their skeletons are not mature until about 2 years of age.
Vaccines and visits to the vet. Take your dog to the vet every year for a checkup and vaccines to protect them against disease.
Older Dogs and How to Take Care of Them
Life Stage No. 5: Senior. Your dog enters this stage once they have reached the last quarter of their life expectancy. A dog's lifespan varies according to size and breed.
Life Stage No. 6: Geriatric. Your dog has reached their life expectancy and is still going! Dogs stay in this final stage for the rest of their lives.
As they get older, your dog may slow down and need a little more TLC.
Food. Older dogs may not need as much food as they did when they were younger. Ask your vet whether you should switch to food made for senior dogs and how much to feed them.
Checkups. You may need to begin taking your older dog to the vet for checkups every 6 months. That's because later in life, dogs are more likely to develop arthritis and other diseases. Routine blood tests can help detect problems early, such as kidney disease. Early diagnosis and therapy can help prolong their life.
Your dog may develop bad breath and dental problems as they get older. Talk to your vet about how to care for your dog's teeth.
Temperature. Older dogs still need exercise. But they often can't handle extreme temperatures as well. So, protect your senior dog from overheating.
Home. Later in life, dogs may have poorer vision and more trouble walking and thinking clearly. "Age-proof" your house to protect your dog by keeping the floor clear of electric cords and other objects. Provide thicker bedding so there is less pressure on their joints when lying down.