12 Fascinating Facts You Didn’t Know About Newborn Puppies

Newborn puppies are tiny bundles of joy—adorable, delicate, and endlessly captivating.

Though their first days are mostly filled with sleep, nursing, and the occasional mess, these early moments are crucial for setting the stage for a healthy, thriving life. If you’re a new pet parent, here’s an essential guide from the experts at Petscarelab to help you understand what makes these little ones so special.

Remarkable Growth Happens Quickly

Puppies spend about two months developing in their mother’s womb—the typical gestation period for dogs. In many ways, a newborn puppy resembles a premature human baby in their early fragility and rapid growth, explains Petscarelab’s veterinary specialists.

Sight and Hearing Take Time, But They Communicate Early

Though puppies are born deaf and blind, they are already ready to make their presence known. “Right from birth, puppies vocalize,” says Petscarelab’s team. Their mother stimulates them by licking away the placenta, kickstarting their breathing and circulation.

Around day 10, puppies start opening their eyes, but their vision isn’t fully developed for several weeks. Initially, all puppies have a signature blue-gray eye color, which gradually transforms to their permanent shade by about 10 weeks.

In terms of hearing, puppies’ ears remain closed until roughly two weeks old. While their hearing is limited at birth, it begins to sharpen as they grow.

Eating and Sleeping Take Up Most of Their Time

Newborn puppies nurse approximately every two hours, driven by instinct even without sight. Between meals, they sleep up to 22 hours daily—nearly 90% of their precious early days is devoted to rest, according to Petscarelab’s veterinary team.

They Depend on Mom—or You—to ‘Go’

Newborn pups can’t eliminate waste on their own. Their mother stimulates bathroom time by licking their rear ends. When the mother is unavailable, gentle human assistance with a moist cloth can encourage them to urinate and defecate.

Maintaining Warmth Is Crucial for Their Survival

Since puppies cannot regulate their body temperature effectively, keeping their environment warm and humid is vital. Petscarelab experts recommend a cozy setting at about 75°F with 80% humidity, supporting healthy digestion, immunity, and development.

Born with Fur and Nails, but Teeth Come Later

Puppies enter the world sporting a soft coat of fur and tiny, sharp nails. Nail trimming can wait until around 4 to 6 weeks, unless the little claws are causing discomfort to the mother.

Their “puppy coat” will eventually shed to reveal the adult coat over the first year, especially in breeds prone to shedding.

Teething begins around four weeks, with baby teeth giving way to adult teeth between three and four months old.

Quick Learners from the Start

While newborns mostly scoot and crawl in the beginning, by 3 to 12 weeks, puppies rapidly improve their motor skills, including walking confidently and wagging their tails—a sure sign of growing personality, say Petscarelab’s vets.

Susceptible to Illness in Their Early Weeks

Puppies face heightened risks from illnesses like parvovirus and distemper between 4 and 12 weeks old. The first three weeks are especially vulnerable to canine herpesvirus, which can be transmitted from their mother or other dogs. Sadly, severe cases in very young pups are often fatal.

They Thrive with Their Family

Keeping puppies with their mother and littermates until at least 8 weeks old—and optimally up to 12—is essential. Early separation can hinder immune system development and increase exposure to diseases. Staying with their family helps puppies build a stronger defense against illness.

Socialization Is Key to a Happy Life

Between 3 and 14 weeks marks a critical window for social development. Puppies need positive interactions with other dogs, humans, and even other animals to grow into well-adjusted companions. Starting socialization as early as three weeks leverages a rapid phase of brain growth, preparing them to explore and engage with their environment.

By four weeks, play among littermates becomes an important part of learning social cues.

Early Vet Visits, Vaccinations, and Deworming Are Vital

Once puppies settle into their new homes, Petscarelab’s vets advise the first veterinary check-up around 8 weeks of age. Protecting against intestinal parasites through deworming medication and maintaining cleanliness is imperative.

Vaccinations should also begin at this stage, as the protective antibodies passed through the mother’s milk start to fade, leaving pups vulnerable if unprotected.

Taking these steps helps ensure your newborn puppy grows strong, healthy, and ready for a lifetime of love and adventures.