Hello everyone, I'm really excited because I get my new whippet puppy in 8 weeks time, but I wanted to ask all you veteran dog owners for some advice. dry food or wet(tinned) food? harness or collar? Also we are introducing this puppy to a house with 2 cats also, so any tips on that would be appreciated. Also any other tips on what we should get prepared before our new arrivals arrival!! would be appreciated!!

Thanks a lot in advance.

Elaine

Hi Elaine,
Congratulations on your new puppy. Have you read or purchased a book discussing the ownership of Whippets yet??? Library or book store might have something. It's a logical first step for me to think of :)

That might help you out a bit since there are some special considerations that have to be taken in training & raising a whippet. Not difficult, but helps to understand the breed better. Food, training, bedding, and other issues are also addressed just for your beautiful breed.
Also, I've seen beautiful cloth collars designed for the longer necks of adult whippets & greyhounds... a breed specific book might give better details than we could here just because of the space & time involved in writing.
good luck & have a wonderful time getting ready for your new baby
toodles

Hi, you must be soo excited. I would feed your new puppy whatever the breeder has reared it on, at least for the first 2 or 3 weeks. After this time you can evaluate whether the puppy is eating and growing well, if he is then its usually best to continue feeding what the breeder suggests, though I am not a fan of giving weetabix or ready brek etc to puppies, I think that puppies should be fed puppy food!! If you decide to change his diet, I would suggest you try a really good quality complete puppy diet like Arden Grange, maybe mixed with a very little good quality tinned meat like Butchers Tripe or Ped Chum puppy food ( in tins). Some people still feed basic biscuit ( like winalot but smaller sized) 50/50 with minced beef/chicken or lamb, together with a good vit/min supplement. But mostly these days people feed good quality ( ie expensive!!) complete puppy biscuit or the Bones and Raw Food Diet, which takes longer to prepare, but those who do take the trouble and are brave enough to give their dogs raw chicken bones, swear by it as the best diet. I have always used complete feeds for puppies and adults, but do shy away from the cheap ones, as they surely must use cheaper ingredients from indesirable sources. If you want to find out about Bones and raw food diets ( BARF for short) there are lots on this board that can advise you I am sure.