Betty’s Teacup Puppies

Pre-Arrival Puppy Checklist

Preparing your home before your puppy arrives helps make their transition calmer, safer, and more comfortable. Having the essentials ready in advance allows your puppy to settle into their new routine with greater ease.

Welcome Home Preparation

A Calm Beginning Makes a Beautiful Difference

Your puppy has experienced travel, new surroundings, new people, and a completely different routine. Keeping their first days simple, quiet, and predictable can make the adjustment much easier.

Food & Feeding Routine

We recommend continuing the same food your puppy has been accustomed to during the transition period. For many of our puppies, this may include Royal Canin X-Small Puppy or another food specifically recommended for your individual puppy.

Feeding amounts and meal frequency should be based on your puppy’s age, current weight, expected adult size, activity level, and veterinary guidance. Very small puppies may require smaller, more frequent meals.

During the first few days at home, maintaining a familiar feeding routine can help reduce digestive upset and encourage consistent eating.

Create a Safe, Quiet Space

A secure playpen is highly recommended during your puppy’s first weeks at home. This creates a calm area where your puppy can rest, eat, sleep, and gradually adjust to their new surroundings.

Keeping the environment peaceful and predictable can be especially helpful after travel.

Low Blood Sugar Awareness

Very small puppies can be more sensitive to missed meals, stress, excessive activity, or sudden changes in routine. Signs of low blood sugar may include unusual weakness, trembling, extreme sleepiness, disorientation, difficulty standing, or seizures.

This does not replace veterinary care. A puppy showing signs of hypoglycemia should be evaluated by a veterinarian or emergency veterinary clinic immediately.

Digestive Support

Travel, excitement, a new environment, and changes in routine can temporarily affect a puppy’s digestion.

Your veterinarian may recommend an appropriate canine probiotic to support digestive health during the transition period.

Avoid introducing multiple new foods, treats, or supplements at the same time. Keeping your puppy’s diet simple and consistent during the first several days may help reduce unnecessary stomach upset.

Energy & Nutritional Supplements

Nutritional supplements such as high-calorie gels may occasionally be recommended for very small puppies, puppies recovering from travel, or puppies with a reduced appetite.

These products should be used according to product directions and your veterinarian’s recommendations rather than on a universal fixed schedule.

Your First Few Days Together

The first days at home should be calm and uncomplicated. Allow your puppy plenty of rest and avoid overwhelming them with too many visitors, outings, or major routine changes.

Monitor your puppy’s appetite, water intake, energy level, bowel movements, and overall behavior. If something appears unusual or concerning, contact your veterinarian promptly.

Before Arrival

Pre-Arrival Essentials

Having these basics prepared before your puppy comes home can help make the first days more comfortable and organized.

The First 72 Hours

Keep It Simple, Calm & Consistent

Give your puppy time to decompress from travel, maintain their familiar feeding routine, encourage plenty of rest, and introduce their new home gradually.

A quiet beginning can help your new companion feel safe, secure, and ready to bond with their family.

This page provides general pre-arrival guidance only and does not replace individualized veterinary advice. Feeding amounts, supplements, and care recommendations should be adjusted to your puppy’s age, weight, health, and individual needs.

If your puppy appears weak or unresponsive, has difficulty breathing, experiences a seizure, repeatedly vomits, refuses food, or shows other concerning symptoms, contact a veterinarian or emergency veterinary clinic immediately.