Health is Fragile

Puppyhood is a stage of massive physical and behavioural changes. Nutrition tailored to their specific developmental needs can help them grow from fragile young puppies to strong, healthy dogs.

Puppy - Health is Fragile

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1.Senses

A puppy’s eyes stay shut until the end of the second week. Their hearing isn’t fully developed until they are eight weeks old. When mature a dog can hear frequencies up to two and a half times higher than human ears.

2.Immunity and defence

In their first six months their immature immune system must help protect them from millions of germs.

3.Healthy bones

In the first year of life your puppy's bones must grow to become four times stronger than concrete.

4.Extraordinary growth

A puppy normally gains 5-10% of its body weight every day for the first two weeks.

Tailored puppy nutrition

ROYAL CANIN® Puppy is tailor-made with the right vitamins and minerals to support a puppy’s healthy development.

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Black Labrador puppy in black and white eating from a red bowl

Feeding your puppy

A puppy's diet plays a key role in their physical and cognitive development. The right mix of nutrients in their food will help that development and lay the foundations for a healthy life.

Feeding your puppy

Neonatal Labrador Retriever puppy lying down

Neonatal

Birth - 21 days

The majority of a puppy's life in this first stage of growth is spent feeding and sleeping. Puppies' eyes and ears gradually begin to function. Both senses are weak at first, but will improve into the third week of life.

Labrador Retriever puppy sitting in black and white on a white background

Weaning

3 - 8 weeks

At this stage, puppies begin to play fight with their siblings. Towards the end of this period they may start to communicate with each other through vocal communications and body language, such as tail-wagging.

Older Labrador Retriever puppy sitting in black and white on a white background

Puppyhood

8 weeks+

Structure, socialisation and training are vital, because they can help your puppy develop into a confident, well behaved adult. Specialist puppy food is vital up until they reach adulthood to support their continued growth.

Explore puppy growth

Poodle puppy sitting in black and white on a white background

The basics of puppy grooming

Ensuring your puppy is used to being handled from a young age will make grooming easier for the rest of their life. Each dog breed has unique grooming needs and understanding that is key to maintaining your dog's healthy coat.

Grooming your puppy
Dachshund puppy running outside in the snow with a red ball

Understanding puppy health

It's important to understand your dog's routines and behaviour so you can quickly recognise the signs if something isn't right. It's also important to understand a few key milestones, such as vaccinations and booster injections.
Puppy health