What kind of food is my Lost Paws adopted dog eating?

All of our dogs eat Blue Buffalo dry food. Either regular kibble for larger breeds; and small kibble for smaller dogs or kibble for puppies.  We recommend you feed on schedule twice daily to facilitate house training and avoid over-feeding.

What shots does my new dog have? Does it need any medical treatment?

Your adoption fee includes all of the following:  DHAPPC (distemper, hepatitis, adenovirus, parvovirus, parainfluenza, coronavirus), Bordetella, rabies, heartworm testing, de-worming, and spay/neuter. In addition, a dental would have been performed, if necessary.

The multivalent vaccine (DHAPPC) should be given annually as a booster in addition to rabies (rabies can also be administered as a 3-year vaccine).  Heartworm preventative (available from your vet) and flea/tick preventative (available locally over-the-counter) should be given every month to protect your dog.

What about puppies?

Review the medical sheet on your puppies to confirm it has had three sets of shots.  Very possibly, it has had only two.  Note the date of the second injection and determine four weeks ahead.  Choose a partner vet from the list in the adoption packet and make an appointment. 

Then Contact Us requesting approval for your dog (use the name when it was adopted) to get medical treatment (specify which treatment as noted above) at the partner clinic chosen.  We will approve and send a confirming email back to you.  We can also give that last injection at the adoption event if you prefer to come on Saturday.  Just let us know so we will bring the vaccine.

If your puppy has not been spayed/neutered at time of adoption - we suggest waiting until the dog is 5-6 months old.  At that time, make an appointment with one of our partner vets listed in the adoption packet and send us an email.  We will approve the surgery and send a confirming email back to you.

We recommend starting your puppy on heartworm preventative the first of the month following adoption.

What about flea/tick prevention?

We use Frontline for our dogs. We treat our dogs on the first of the month. And we recommend that you start at the beginning of the month following adoption.  Fleas and ticks are especially troublesome from spring until fall, so don’t wait. 

The dogs are fostered on our Foster Farm.  While we treat the property and the dogs for fleas/ticks, don’t be shocked if you find a tick.  It happens.

Is my adopted dog house trained?

We have multiple doggie doors which the dogs use in all of the buildings and our home.  We cannot guarantee they are house trained without a doggie door.

In a new environment, you can expect most dogs to have accidents.  If there is another dog in the home that is housebroken, typically the new dog will follow its lead and learn very quickly.

My new rescue dog isn’t eating, drinking, pooping, playing, etc.

Remember to have patience - you are presenting this dog with a different and unfamiliar environment.  Some dogs need longer to feel confident and secure.  Give it time on its own to explore the home, yard and other animals.  Have food and water available in a safe location and give it lots of opportunities to be supervised outside.

Contact us if adjustment goes on longer than 72 hours.  

My dog has an upset stomach. What should I do?

Sometimes when the food is changed or a dog is nervous, it will develop an upset stomach.  We recommend plain yogurt or pure pumpkin (not pie filling).  Give it a tablespoon or two several times a day.  If it’s hot outside, you can freeze it and give it as a treat.  Most dogs love it and will eat it willingly.  The issue should clear up within a day or two.

Will this dog get along with cats?

We only have barn cats the dogs might see in passing but they do not interact.  It is unknown whether this dog will get along with cats.