Caring for Your Kolorko Puppy: Diet, Grooming & Health Essentials

Welcoming a Kolorko puppy into your home is the beginning of a beautiful journey. To help you give your pup the best possible start, we’ve put together some important health and care guidelines that reflect exactly how we raise our puppies here at Kolorko Kennel.

Whether you’re a first-time dog owner or adding to your furry family, these tips will guide you through the essentials, from food and grooming to worming and vaccinations.

Diet: What We Feed Our Puppies

All Kolorko puppies are raised on a combination of:

 

  • Royal Canin Dry Food
  • Lyka Fresh Food

 

This combination supports optimal growth, digestion, and energy, offering the right balance of nutrients for developing bodies and active little minds.

Bathing & Grooming

We shampoo our puppies using PETWAY Tearless Puppy Shampoo—gentle and safe for sensitive skin.

Nail Care Tips:

  • Trim nails regularly.
  • Get your puppy used to having their feet touched early—it makes nail trims much easier.
  • Always trim only the white section of the nail. If you accidentally cut the vein (it happens to all of us!), apply cornflour or gently rub an ice cube to stop the bleeding.

Make it a positive experience: trim nails during cuddle time or while feeding a treat. Calm and relaxed pups are easier to groom.

Grooming Equipment We Recommend:

  • A soft small dog brush
  • Scissors
  • Nail clippers
  • Rake comb
  • Mars King Comb
Important Note:

We do NOT clip long-haired breeds. Our Border Collies and Chihuahuas are double-coated and naturally insulated—even in heat. However, they can feel the cold easily, so maintaining body warmth is essential.

Worming Protocol

Puppies can be born with roundworm, so early worming is vital.

  • We dose from 2 weeks of age using Milbemax All Wormer.
  • Regular worming ensures your pup stays healthy and protected during their rapid growth phase.

Heartworm Protection

Heartworm is a serious disease spread by mosquitoes. It can lead to fatigue, persistent cough, and even heart failure.

  • We use Milbemax up to 6 months of age.
  • After that, you can discuss vaccination options with your vet, some prefer annual vaccinations once the puppy is over 12 months, which can be more cost-effective than monthly tablets.

Flea & Tick Prevention (Especially for QLD Dogs)

Until your puppy is medicated, avoid long grass and bushland—especially in Queensland where scrub turkeys and possums can carry ticks into suburban areas.

What We Use at Kolorko:

 

  • NexGard Spectra for Border Collies
  • Simparica Trio for Chihuahuas

(given on the 1st of each month once your puppy reaches the minimum weight)

 

Note: These do not cover tapeworm, so you’ll still need to give a general all-wormer tablet every 3 months.

Vaccination Schedule

All Kolorko puppies are:

  • Vet checked
  • Microchipped
  • DNA tested
  • Given their 1st C3 vaccination between 6–7 weeks

What’s Next?

 

  • 12 weeks: Your puppy will need a C4 or C5 vaccination
  • 16 weeks: Final puppy vaccination

(Your vet will advise on which vaccination is right for your pup based on local risks)

 

We recommend the C5 vaccination if your dog will be attending:

  • Boarding kennels
  • Dog training
  • Puppy preschool
  • Dog shows

Important: Do not take your puppy outside your own yard until 10 days after the second injection. Personally, we wait until all three vaccinations are complete before venturing out, but that’s a personal choice.

Final Thoughts

Raising a healthy, happy puppy starts with informed care and consistent routines. If you ever have questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re always here to support our extended Kolorko family.

“A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.” – Josh Billings