When can you take a puppy outside?

If a puppy has recently joined the family, this is of interest to you! One of the things we must keep in mind when caring for our little furry friend is not to rush into taking their first walk. It's vitally important to consult with our trusted veterinarian to avoid any missteps. That's why in this article, we'll share some points that may be of interest to you about when you can take a puppy outside. Don't miss it!

What basic vaccines should a puppy have?

When you take your puppy to the vet, they will inform you and advise you on all mandatory and recommended vaccinations. However, in this section, we'll list the basic vaccinations to give you a general idea:

• Parvovirus +/- distemper virus: it is given from 6 weeks of age
• Polyvalent (parvovirus, distemper virus, parainfluenza virus, hepatitis virus +/- leptospira): around 2 months of age
• Multipurpose reinforcement: at 3 months
• Multipurpose reinforcement: at 4 months
• Rabies: if necessary, it is given at 4 months of age

In addition to these vaccines, there are other vaccines that may be optional depending on the region and country. It should be noted that this is only a reference list and does not replace the information provided by expert veterinary personnel.

What happens if you go out for a walk without being vaccinated?

If you take your unvaccinated puppy for a walk, you increase the risk of exposing it to diseases and catching viruses. Keep in mind that dogs smell and lick virtually everything they encounter. For an adult dog, this is usually not a problem, but for a puppy, whose immune system is not yet fully developed, it could have fatal consequences.

Your puppy's immune system isn't fully developed until approximately 5 months old . It's also vitally important to provide quality food, not only during growth, but also throughout adulthood and senior life. At Arquivet, we have a highly recommended range of natural food for all ages, providing your furry friend with all the nutrients they need to enjoy a healthy life.

Is a microchip necessary?

In Spain, pet identification is mandatory, but microchip implantation is only mandatory in some autonomous communities, but not all, as there are other forms of identification, such as a tag or even a tattoo behind the ear.

Notwithstanding the above, implanting a chip in our furry friend will always give us a great advantage when it comes to locating him if necessary. These chips are associated with the owner's information, making it very easy to link the pet to its caregiver. This means that if someone finds our dog or cat and reads the associated code, they will quickly contact the person responsible.

Points to consider for your first walk

A puppy can be taken outside at around 3-4 months of age , by which time it will have all the necessary vaccinations, thus preventing it from becoming infected with potential viruses or bacteria and contracting diseases. In any case, it's vitally important to consult your veterinarian before taking your puppy on its first walk.

Once you've received confirmation from an expert and are ready to go on your first outing, here are some tips to help everything go smoothly:

1. Make sure your pet has all the necessary vaccinations. You'll be sure to check this if you've confirmed with your trusted veterinarian that your pet's first outing.
2. At first, it's best to take short walks so that your baby gradually gets used to this new world called "the street."
3. Don't let him get close enough to smell other dogs' urine or feces, as these are sources of disease for a puppy.
4. If you have a family member or friend with another dog that's vaccinated and hygienically cared for, pay them a visit. This way, your puppy will begin to socialize, while also training their immune system to be around other dogs.
5. Don't go to places where hygiene is lacking. Avoid those areas.
6. A good habit might be to give him a snack as a reward if he pees or poops outside. This way, we'll train him to do his business during walks. We recommend checking out our full range of natural snacks ; they're sure to help!