When Can I Give A Puppy Nexgard? (Find OUT)

You love your puppy, and you want to make sure he’s healthy. But some medications can be dangerous for dogs under six months old, and others just aren’t safe for puppies in general. 

And if you’re giving your puppy a medication that isn’t on the list of approved dog medicines for its age group? Well then, you’ll need to know how to administer it safely and effectively!

In this article, we’ll talk about what types of medicine are safe for puppies up until six months old. We’ll also discuss when it’s okay to give a puppy Nexgard—and what happens if you accidentally give your dog something he shouldn’t have eaten (or drank).

Nexgard Spectra for Dogs Anti-Tick and Flea … – YouTube
Takeaways
NexGard is a popular flea and tick treatment for puppies and dogs.
It is important to know the appropriate age to start giving NexGard to a puppy.
Always consult with a veterinarian before administering NexGard to ensure it is suitable for your puppy.
NexGard is typically given once a month to provide continuous protection against fleas and ticks.
Keep an eye out for any potential side effects and contact your vet if you notice any unusual symptoms.

Compare Your Puppy To The Nexgard Label

If you’re looking to give your small dog a pill, the vet may recommend that you crush it first. You can then mix it in with food or treats.

If your large dog is having trouble eating tablets, ask your vet if there are oral liquid versions of the medication available. These tend to be easier to swallow than tablets and come in flavors that make them more appealing for dogs (and humans too).

NexGard can be used in puppies over the age of 8 weeks weighing at least 4 pounds.

Proper dental care is essential for puppies. Learn about the timeline and process of puppies getting their teeth in our comprehensive guide. Discover when to expect those pearly whites to come in and how to care for them along the way. Check out our article on how long it takes for puppies to get all their teeth for expert advice.

Break Up Medicating A Puppy Into Smaller Doses

When you can’t break up the dose, do it in a separate location.

Break up the dose as much as possible.

There are many reasons why you may need to medicate your puppy more than once a day. If this is the case and you have no way of breaking up the medication into smaller doses, then do so in a different location from where he eats his food.

Give Nexgard In Conjunction With Food

Give your dog the chewable tablet with food. Don’t give the medicine on an empty stomach because it can be more likely to cause vomiting and other side effects.

Don’t give Nexgard with dairy products, as they may interfere with its absorption into your dog’s body.

Don’t give Nexgard with other medications, including over-the-counter ones like Tylenol or Benadryl (and don’t stop any of those medications before giving your dog his monthly dose).

Don’t give Nexgard if your dog is already taking medication for diabetes or thyroid disease. The drug could lower blood sugar levels too much or increase thyroid hormone levels in these cases!

Don’t give Nexgard if he has had an allergic reaction to any of its ingredients in the past (allergies are rare but possible). And obviously don’t use this product at all if your pup has already experienced serious side effects from another flea and tick medication!

Keeping your puppy healthy involves timely vaccinations. Find out the appropriate age for puppies to receive their first shots and why it’s crucial for their well-being. Our informative article provides insights into the vaccination schedule and important considerations. Read more about when puppies should get their first shots to ensure your puppy’s protection.

Know The Right Dosage For Your Puppy

The dosage of Nexgard for your puppy depends on the weight of your dog.

It also depends on its age.

If you have a large breed puppy, you should use the large dog dosage chart because their weight is higher than that of smaller breeds such as Chihuahuas or Yorkies.

Finally, the size of your puppy will determine how much Nexgard it will need to consume for protection from fleas and ticks.

Consider Weight, Not Age Of Your Puppy

Before you start thinking about giving your puppy Nexgard, you’re going to want to make sure they’re ready.

It’s easy to think that if a particular medication or treatment is okay for dogs of a certain age, then it will also be okay for puppies of the same breed. But just because it’s safe doesn’t mean it’s ideal.

As with all medications, there are always risks involved when dealing with any kind of treatment for your pet—especially one as young as an 8-week old puppy!

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Determine the appropriate dosage based on your puppy’s weight.
Consult with your veterinarian to ensure accurate dosing for your puppy.
Different breeds and individual puppies may have varying weight ranges.
Consider using a reliable puppy weight chart to track your puppy’s growth.
Brands like Hill’s Science Diet offer specific puppy formulas tailored to different weight ranges.

Be Extra Mindful Of Giving Nexgard To Young Dogs

Be extra mindful of giving Nexgard to young dogs. Young dogs are more sensitive to the effects of Nexgard and may experience side effects that older dogs don’t, including vomiting and loss of appetite.

While it’s always best to consult with a veterinarian before administering your puppy any medication, considering that puppies are still growing and developing their immune systems, they’re more likely to have an adverse reaction to Nexgard than older dogs.

Have Patience When Feeding A Puppy Medicine

Giving your puppy medicine can be a challenge, especially if he’s pretty young. If you’re having trouble getting him to take his meds, there are a few things you can try:

Try distracting your puppy with treats or toys. If he’s fussy about taking the medication, see if you can distract him with a treat before giving it to him. 

You could also try giving him his meals in smaller portions so that it’s easier for him to eat them as well as take some of the medicine at the same time.

If these don’t work for you (or even if they do), speak to your veterinarian and ask whether there are any other options available for administering medications to your puppy—there may be!

Getting your puppy outdoors is an exciting milestone. Discover when puppies start enjoying walks and how to make those strolls a positive experience. Our expert tips and insights will help you navigate this important phase of your puppy’s development. Dive into our article on when puppies start enjoying walks for valuable guidance.

Create A Calm Environment For Giving A Puppy Medicine

Before you give a puppy medicine, it’s important to create a calm environment for them. This is especially true if you have more than one dog in the house, as they may be very upset by the presence of another animal. 

Here are some tips on how to do this:

Create a quiet space that is away from any distractions and where they can settle down and relax.

Provide treats or toys that your dog loves so much that he won’t mind being separated from them for a few moments.

Make sure that you have everything ready before you begin—the bottle of medicine, syringe (if needed), and pill (if necessary).

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Choose a quiet and comfortable space for administering medication.
Minimize distractions and noise to help keep your puppy calm.
Utilize calming techniques such as gentle petting or soft music.
Use treat-based medication options, like Pill Pockets, to make the process more enjoyable for your puppy.
Maintain a calm and reassuring demeanor to help your puppy feel at ease.

Choose The Best Time Of Day To Give Your Dog Nexgard

Choose a time of day when your dog is relaxed and calm.

If possible, avoid giving medication right before bedtime.

If your dog is nervous or anxious, give them their medicine in a quiet room where they can relax.

Give Medicine in a Pleasant Manner if Possible

It is important to give medicine in a pleasant manner if possible. It can be much easier for you and your puppy if you follow these guidelines:

Make sure the puppy is relaxed and calm, comfortable, and in a place where they feel safe.

Give them their treat or food first so that it is not associated with getting medicine as always being unpleasant for them. 

You may want to try putting their favorite treat or food on top of the medication (like peanut butter spread over a pill). If this goes well then you can use this technique again later when giving other medications such as vaccines or heartworm prevention medications.

Take care not to give any pills that might cause choking if accidentally swallowed whole.

Make sure the pup has had something to eat at least 30 minutes before giving any medication; otherwise some types of drugs could interact badly with empty stomachs.

Don’t let distractions bother your pet while giving them medicine—this includes other animals, children running around nearby playing loudly etc

Feeding your puppy the right amount is crucial for their growth and health. Learn about the appropriate food quantity for a puppy American Bully and ensure they receive proper nutrition. Our comprehensive guide provides insights into portion sizes and feeding schedules. Explore our article on how much a puppy American Bully should eat to keep your furry friend healthy.

Exercise And Play After Giving Medicine To Your Dog

Play is an important part of a dog’s life, and it’s important to ensure that your puppy gets plenty of exercise every day. 

Exercise helps with stress relief and promotes good health, which can help prevent obesity. It also helps to improve your dog’s quality of life, as well as behavior.

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Give your dog time to rest after taking medication.
Avoid strenuous exercise immediately after administering medicine.
Observe any specific instructions provided by your veterinarian regarding exercise restrictions.
Gradually reintroduce physical activity based on your dog’s condition and the medication prescribed.
Consider engaging in gentle play or mental stimulation activities that do not strain your dog’s body.

Understand Potential Side Effects When Giving Your Dog Medication

Side effects of nexgard include vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and seizures. Side effects from other medications include excessive drooling, lethargy, panting, vomiting and loss of appetite. 

If your dog has any side effects when taking a medication for fleas or ticks you should contact your veterinarian immediately because these can be dangerous symptoms that require immediate medical attention.

The most important thing to remember when giving your dog medication is to read the label carefully before administering any substance to their system. 

The instructions on each individual product will tell you what dosage is recommended for your dog’s weight and age as well as the duration for which it should be given per dose (if applicable).

Keep this list handy when administering medicine to your dog.

Keep this list handy when administering medicine to your dog.

Be sure to follow the instructions on the label.

If you have any questions, call your vet!

If you have any concerns about your dog’s health, contact your vet

Bathing a newborn puppy requires careful consideration. Find out how soon you can bathe a newborn puppy and the best practices to ensure their comfort and well-being. Our step-by-step guide provides all the information you need for a safe bathing experience. Check out our article on bathing newborn puppies to keep your puppy fresh and clean.

Conclusion

Hopefully, this list will make it easier for you to give your dog Nexgard. It’s always important to remember that dogs are individuals with unique personalities. 

So if your dog is acting differently after receiving the medication, don’t panic! Instead, talk with your vet about other options or possible side effects which could be causing discomfort.

Further Reading

Here are some additional resources for further reading on the topic:

NexGard for Pets: Visit the official website of NexGard to learn more about this popular flea and tick treatment for pets.

WagWalking: NexGard: Explore this comprehensive guide on NexGard from WagWalking, providing information about its usage, effectiveness, and potential side effects.

Pawp: NexGard for Dogs – How to Get Online Prescription: Discover how to obtain an online prescription for NexGard for dogs with this informative article from Pawp.

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to NexGard:

Q: What is NexGard and how does it work?
NexGard is a flea and tick treatment for dogs. It contains the active ingredient Afoxolaner, which kills fleas and ticks by targeting their nervous system.

Q: Is NexGard safe for my dog?
NexGard has been extensively tested and is generally considered safe for use in dogs. However, it’s always recommended to consult with a veterinarian before starting any medication.

Q: How often should I administer NexGard to my dog?
NexGard is typically given once a month, but the dosing frequency may vary depending on your dog’s weight and the recommendations of your veterinarian.

Q: Can NexGard be used on puppies?
NexGard is approved for use in puppies from 8 weeks of age and weighing at least 4 pounds. However, it’s important to follow the dosing instructions specific to puppies.

Q: Are there any side effects of using NexGard?
Like any medication, NexGard may have potential side effects. Common side effects include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and decreased appetite. If you notice any unusual symptoms, consult your veterinarian.