Please note that we will be having external work taking place outsite of the practice over the next 4 days. However, we remain open as usual. Please click here to view the latest information on how to access our services.

Pet Advice Categories

At Maven Vets our number one priority is keeping your puppy healthy!

There are several recommendations to keep your puppy healthy listed below.

Puppy Appointments

When you first bring your puppy to Maven Vets for their dog vaccinations you will have their full health check and vaccination with the vet. You will also be given a free half hour appointment with the nurse to go through all aspects of puppy care and to answer any questions you may have.

In addition we offer free nurse clinic appointments throughout your puppy's first year of life to guide and support you. Why not also join Pet Health for Life to cover all your puppy’s preventative health care at a reduced cost.

Book an Appointment

Frequently Asked Questions

Dog Vaccinations

These are usually given at 8 weeks and 10 weeks of age and protect your puppy against Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Para Influenza and Leptospirosis.

Visit our Pet Vaccinations page for more information about the diseases which are protected as well as answers to many frequently asked questions.

(Dog Vaccinations are included in our Maven Health Care Club)

Worming your New Dog

Puppies should be given worm treatment once every 2 weeks from birth to 8 weeks of age; once every 3 months until they are 6 months old and then every 3 - 6 months for life.

Worming treatment can be bought from many sources. However, you need to ensure the worming treatment you get for your puppy protects against all worms.

Our vets and nurses can advise you on the best product for your pet and all worming treatment is included in our Maven Health Care Club.

Common worms which your pup should be protected against include:

  • Lung Worm: This is a very nasty worm which puppies and dogs can get by eating slugs and snails. They can cause lung disease and can also cause a bleeding condition which can be fatal. Lungworm prevention is an essential part of keeping your puppy healthy and can be prevented by specific medications given once a month.
  • Intestinal Worms: These live in the intestines of dogs and cats and eggs can be passed out in faeces. Puppies can get worms from eating or licking areas where eggs have been and from feeding from mum if she has worms. Some worms can also be picked up by people and can cause illness.

Flea Control for Puppies

Fleas can be found in indoor and outdoor environments and feed on our pets (and sometimes us).

They then return to the environment to lay up to 40-50 eggs per day.

As fleas bite to feed they can also cause a lot of itching and, in some cases, severe skin allergies.

To protect your puppy (and your house) flea prevention can be used to kill fleas before they have a chance to lay eggs.

This is usually given as a ‘spot on’ solution applied to the back of your puppy's neck once a month.

There are several brands of flea control available, some which are more effective than others.

Our vets and nurses will advise you on the best product to protect your puppy and the products we recommend are included in the Maven Health Care Club.

Feeding your puppy

There are many diets available for puppies from home cooked preparations to commercially prepared diets.

At Maven Vets we recommend Royal Canin Lifestage diets. These have been carefully developed with a lot of research into correct nutrition for your dog in all stages of life. Members of the Maven Health Care Club enjoy a 10% discount on Royal Canin Lifestage diets.

You can choose between wet food (tinned or pouched food) or dry food (biscuits).

Early in life puppies need to eat often. They need enough food to help with growth but have limited space in their stomachs so manage best with small meals fed often.

At Maven vets we recommend feeding 4 equal meals daily until 3 months of age, then 3 meals daily until 6 months of age.

At 6 months of age your pup can be fed twice daily which can be continued for life.

The amount you need to feed depends on your pup’s breed and age as well as the food you feed. 

You can find more information about puppy nutrition on the Royal Canin website.

Our nurses will also guide you in feeding your puppy throughout the first year during your puppy’s free health checks.

Please always ensure your puppy has access to a supply of fresh water.

Microchipping your new puppy

Having chosen your new puppy, the last thing you want to do is to lose him or her!

Puppies are inquisitive and can wander if they get out: unfortunately, they can also get lost on their adventures. 

Micro-chipping is the ideal way to identify your puppy and register him or her as yours.

Unlike collars the microchip is a permanent implant which sits under their skin.

If a puppy is scanned (by a dog warden or vet) and a micro-chip is found your puppy can quickly be identified and safely returned to you.

Please visit our page on microchipping for more information and answers to frequently asked questions.

(Maven Health Care Club members benefit from 10% off this essential safety procedure.)

Dog Neutering

Unless you are planning to breed from your puppy we encourage you to have them neutered.

There are a number of health benefits to pet neutering which are explained in detail on our Pet Neutering page.

At Maven Vets we recommend male puppies be castrated from the age of puberty at around 6 months of age.

We recommend female puppies are spayed at approximately six months of age, before their first season.

Research has shown that neutered pets may live up to 3 years longer than those that are not neutered.

New Dog Insurance

Keeping your puppy healthy is your priority (and ours)!

However, accidents can happen, and puppies can become unwell.

Insuring your puppy for accident and illness means you can have peace of mind that, if you need to take your puppy to the vet, you do not have to worry about the cost of their treatment.

Click here to activate your Free 4 weeks insurance or request an appointment for your puppy’s health check and enhanced Free4 weeks insurance.

Visit our Insurance page for more information and advice on choosing the correct policy.

Training your puppy

From toilet training to teaching your puppy to 'roll over and play dead' there are lots of things puppies can learn!

Training your puppy is also a great way to develop your close relationship.

It will help your puppy feel confident and safe and give you increased enjoyment over the years as you share your dog’s life - a disobedient dog is no fun!

Maven Puppy Classes are an ideal introduction to training.

How to Groom your young puppy

Looking after your puppies coat and skin helps keep him or her healthy.

Starting grooming when they are young will help them to accept this and many even enjoy their grooming!

What your puppy needs will depend on their breed and coat type.

Our nurses will give you full advice in your free puppy chats.

For those pups who need a professional groomer there are several to choose from; links to local groomers can be found on our Local Pet Services page.

When can I take my puppy out for a walk?

Your puppy is safe to go out for a walk 14 days after their second dog vaccinations.

However, your puppy can go outside to an enclosed garden that other dogs do not have access to before they have their dog vaccinations.

Puppies must be at least 10 weeks old to have their second vaccination and this is given between 2-4 weeks after their first vaccination.

Visit our pet vaccinations page for more information and answers to frequently asked questions.

What activities can I do with my puppy?

Owning a dog is great fun and can be very sociable.

Here are a few suggestions of things to enjoy with your dog:

  • Walking: there are great walks in and around the area for you to explore with your dog.
  • Hydrotherapy: A great way to exercise your dog for fun or as part of a treatment regime.
  • Agility
  • Flyball
  • Dog Showing 

Is it safe to give my puppy treats?

In general, your puppy doesn't need treats as long as you feed a good diet (see our section on feeding your puppy). 

However, giving your puppy treats can be a great way to help with training.

To prevent overfeeding, consider using the biscuits from their dry food quota for the day as the training reward.

Your puppy will be just as happy!

Is it safe to give my puppy bones?

Your puppy has baby teeth just like children and feeding bones is not recommended.

Feeding bones to adult dogs can also cause severe wear and tear on their teeth which can cause problems and the need for a dog dentist.

Bones can sometimes splinter and, if swallowed, can pierce your puppy or dog’s stomach or intestines which will require surgery to correct and can be fatal.

Chicken bones are a high risk for splintering and should never be fed.

Accreditations

  • accreditations rcvs outstanding client service
  • accreditations rcvs outstanding in patient service
  • accreditations rcvs outstanding consultation service
  • accreditations rcvs outstanding team professional responsibility
  • accreditations best business 2017
  • accreditations rcvs accredited practice sah
  • accreditations vet practice design awards 2015
  • ISFM Gold Cat Friendly Clinic 2023
  • maven rabbit silver level