You’ve made it through your dog’s teenage months –  congrats! Surely the challenging bit is over, right!?  

Your pooch is straddling puppyhood and adulthood right now. They may be starting to look a lot more grown up, but that puppy-like energy and enthusiasm is still going strong!

Read on to check out our top tips on how to support your dog throughout their junior months. 

At what age do dogs begin their junior phase?

The age at which your pooch falls into the junior dog category will depend on the size of your dog. For smaller dogs, this is usually between 12-18 months of age. However, if your dog is on the larger size, they will reach their junior stage between 18-24 months. 

How can I keep my dog in great shape throughout their junior months?

Keep up the flea & worm treatment

Your pooch is at risk of those pesky fleas and ticks hitchhiking a ride on them at all stages of their life…

Did you know that 5 fleas on an untreated pet can lead to more than 1 million eggs infesting your home in only 4 weeks? Yikes! 

Protect your pet against fleas, ticks and biting lice by receiving a monthly treatment of Itch Flea through your letterbox. Itch Flea will eradicate any pesky fleas on your pet within just 24 hours and kill ticks within 48 hours.

Let’s not forget about worms either. These wrigglers will ‘worm’ their way in when your pet accidentally eats worm eggs or larvae. The really gross part? It’s usually because another animal which had worms living in their gut, has already pooped them out!

Most junior dogs are into anything and everything – the stinkier the better! They’re unable to walk past a poo without pulling over for a sniff and lick. And if they spot something worth scavenging? Well, good luck keeping them away…

If your junior dog isn’t protected against worms already, it’s important to get started now! 

The worrying thing about worms is at the early stages of infestation, your pet might not be showing any outward symptoms. By the time you start to pick up on the signs your pooch isn’t very well, the infestation in their guts can be quite advanced. Be sure to add Itch Wormer to your furry friend’s delivery to protect against roundworms and tapeworms, as well as their larvae.

Watch their weight

It’s always a good idea to keep an eye on your dog’s weight! Follow the feeding guide which comes with their food to make sure their portion sizes are just right for their current size. By monitoring their weight, you can adjust this as they grow. Just like us humans, overweight dogs are at risk of developing health issues like diabetes, joint problems and many other problems you want to avoid..

The easiest way to weigh your dog is to weigh yourself and then weigh yourself again whilst holding your pet. Deduct the difference and ta-da – you’ll be left with the weight of your pooch.

Your junior pup’s weight will also dictate the dosage of flea and worm treatment they need to keep parasites at bay. Remember to update their weight in your Itch account so we can tailor their treatments.

Keep your furry sidekick mentally stimulated

Your junior pooch may no longer be a tiny pup, but they will most likely still be full of energy and require plenty of love, attention and mental stimulation! 

Keeping your junior dog mentally stimulated can be lots of fun! Have an eager-to-please pooch? Try teaching them some new tricks. Or maybe try a puzzle feeder to get them thinking. Introduce new toys to mix things up every now and then. And when you’re out on walks, let them have a good sniff! They’ll be busy decoding many different scents us humans wouldn’t have a chance of picking up.

We’re here to help

If you follow all of these tips, you can feel confident you’re giving your pooch the best possible support throughout their junior months, helping them to stay as happy and healthy as possible.

And don’t forget, we’re here to help you along the way. Our personalised pet wellness plans are packed full of vet-approved products, tailored to your pet’s unique needs. Get everything you need delivered to your door, exactly when you need it. That’s one less thing to remember!

If you have any questions at all, the pet wellness pro’s in our customer service team are here to help. Feel free to drop our team a message  or call them on 020 3370 0905 Mon to Fri 8am-4pm.

Let’s beat the blighters together!