What to Expect When Bringing Home a New Puppy

From the moment you pick up your new puppy, everything is new for them, the sights, the smells, and especially the environment of your home. Making this transition smooth will help set your puppy up for a happy, healthy start.

Create a designated area where your puppy can relax and feel secure. Puppies often need a lot of naps during the day, and having a cosy, quiet space can help them settle in and recharge. A crate or secluded area can be their safe space, think of this as a time out area once your pup has had enough. Some people find that crates can be the best way to achieve this, but not all dogs like to be crated, so you may need to see how this goes.

It can be tempting to overwhelm your puppy with visitors or try to fit in a bunch of new experiences right away, but puppies need time to process everything. Stick to the essentials on day one: let them explore at their own pace and introduce them to their new routine.

Establishing a routine from the get-go will help your puppy learn faster and feel secure. This applies to meals, toilet breaks, and nap times. Speaking of meals, this is where we dive into one of the most important choices for your puppy’s health: their diet.

The first few weeks after bringing home your new puppy, your new friend can feel very overwhelmed.. Enrichment is very important for puppies as it helps them learn, keeps them entertained and can help with anxiety.

Here are some enrichment ideas:

· Using texturised toys; bumpy, soft or hard such as Rogz.

· Let your pup explore the world from your arms or a puppy rucksack while they are too small for proper walkies.

· Introduce new scents by hiding different treats around the house and letting them sniff them out.

· Puzzle feeders or toys, solving a possible is great for developing brain function.

Use a Paleo Ridge box from your order, fill it with shredded paper or hay, and sprinkling some treats inside for your pup to find.

Our favourite enrichment game:

Soak a rope toy into our Paleo Ridge Bone Broth and freeze it for a few hours. Make sure to put it into a container before putting it in the freezer as it will stick. Rope toys can soothe and provide relief for teething puppies as they sink their teeth into the rope. As well as being soothing on their teeth, it’s a great way to keep your pup cool in the summer.

Raw feeding is more than just a trend; it’s a return to what dogs were naturally designed to eat. A raw diet is made up of raw meats, organs, bones, and sometimes fruits and vegetables, essentially, whole, unprocessed food that closely mirrors the diet of your puppy’s wild ancestors. Let’s explore why raw feeding could be the perfect choice for your new puppy.

Optimal Nutrition for Growing Puppies
Puppies are in a critical phase of growth, and their bodies need the right balance of nutrients to support strong bones, healthy muscles, and a robust immune system. A raw diet provides high-quality protein, healthy fats, and naturally occurring vitamins and minerals without the fillers or synthetic additives often found in commercial processed food.

Healthy Digestion and Smaller Stools
Puppies on raw diets often have fewer digestive issues than those on processed foods. Because raw diets contain ingredients that are easier for dogs to digest, you’ll notice smaller, firmer stools (an unexpected perk for owners!). Plus, raw food tends to reduce issues like gas, bloating, and loose stools.

Shiny Coats and Healthy Skin
Raw-fed puppies typically develop glossy, vibrant coats, and their skin stays free from irritation and dryness. The natural oils found in raw meat and the fatty acids in raw diets help support a healthy coat and skin.

More Energy and Vitality
Raw feeding can lead to higher energy levels and improved overall vitality. Without the burden of processed carbohydrates and artificial ingredients, your puppy will have the natural fuel to grow into an active, energetic dog.

Stronger Immune System Raw diets are packed with naturally occurring nutrients, including enzymes and antioxidants that help support a strong immune system. Puppies fed raw from an early age may be better equipped to ward off illnesses and maintain long-term health.

While raw feeding offers significant benefits, there are a few concerns that often come up, particularly from mainstream veterinary practice that tends to lean towards prescribing ultra-processed foods. Most concerns and misconceptions are easy to address with proper planning and care.

One of the biggest myths about raw feeding is that it’s difficult to provide balanced nutrition. The truth is, if you’re feeding a variety of meats, organs, and bones in appropriate proportions, your puppy will receive all the nutrients they need. Paleo Ridge proudly boast three ranges of complete meals:

· Essentials – includes 20% veg and a range of proteins

· Classic – follows the 80:10:10 raw food diet

· Paleo Plus – optimum nutrition with a range of organ meats and a 5% blend of superfoods

If you’re not sure what to feed your pup, why not get in touch with our customer services team:

02394 210 800 Opt. 3 info@paleoridge.co.uk

Safety Concerns About Bacteria
Raw meat can contain bacteria, but dogs are biologically designed to digest raw meat and handle this bacteria with ease. For the pet parent, you handle it exactly the same way as you would when preparing raw meat for your own dinnertime, with good hygiene; washing hands, disinfecting surfaces and storing correctly. Paleo Ridge raw dog food use high-quality, human-grade meats, so you have nothing to worry about. Please be assured that all of the meat we use is vet checked at source and we have very strict quality control and testing in place to ensure all the meals we provide are safe.

Time and Effort
Raw feeding is very straightforward. Defrost the food in a sealed Tupperware in the fridge and serve once defrosted. We have conveniently packed our raw meals into 500g tubs which when defrosted, can be fed over the course of two days, we also have 250g and 1kg options available (Classic range only). The only difference to wet and dry food is remembering to defrost the products, but you will get into the swing of this.

Cost Considerations
Feeding raw can sometimes be more expensive than kibble, depending on what you feed, but remember, you’re investing in your puppy’s long-term health. Dogs on raw diets often require fewer vet visits, have healthier teeth, and live more vibrant lives, potentially saving you money on medical bills down the road.

If your puppy isn’t raw fed (yet) don’t worry! It’s never too late or too early to start! Transitioning your puppy to this new diet should be done thoughtfully. Check out our Switch To Raw page on our website to explore how to ease them into their natural diet.

The Raw Conclusion: Raising a Healthier, Happier Puppy

Feeding raw is more than just a diet, it’s a philosophy about giving your dog the most natural, biologically appropriate nutrition possible. By choosing a raw diet for your puppy, you’re investing in their health, longevity and overall quality of life.

As you settle into life with your new puppy, enjoy every step of the journey. Those raw meals, wagging tails, and shiny coats are all part of the incredible bond you’re building with your new best friend

Welcome to the raw revolution, you and your puppy are going to love it!