PetsCareLab

Just like human infants, newborn puppies require attentive and gentle care to ensure they thrive. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to nurture your precious pups in their earliest days.

Approach the Puppies With Care and Sensitivity

While it’s natural to want to cuddle and handle the puppies often, it’s crucial to limit contact during their first week or two. During this delicate period, they are highly vulnerable to illness, and excessive handling can cause stress to both the mother and her little ones.

Always approach the puppies cautiously, as some mother dogs may react protectively, showing aggression toward people or other pets if they feel their babies are threatened.

As the puppies grow and become more lively, your dog will need quiet time to rest, exercise, or bond with family members. Respect her need for space to retreat from the puppies, but ensure she regularly returns to care for and check on them.

Create a Cozy, Warm Haven

Since puppies can’t regulate their body temperature until they reach about 3 to 4 weeks old, it’s essential to provide a snug, clean nesting area for the mother and her pups during their first month.

Position a heating lamp above their space to maintain a comforting warmth, but also include cooler sections. This allows the puppies to move around and regulate their comfort if they get too warm. Keep a close eye on their body temperature, which should be between 96-98°F during their first week. Chilly puppies struggle to digest milk properly, which can cause stomach issues.

Avoid heating pads—puppies might remain on them for too long if they feel cold, risking burns or overheating. Instead, opt for a gentle warm lamp and plenty of soft bedding.

Begin Gentle Socialization Early

Once the mother dog feels comfortable, gradually introduce your presence to the puppies to promote healthy socialization. Early, positive interactions help prepare them for life as well-adjusted household pets.

Keep a watchful eye on any “runts” or “poor doers” — puppies noticeably smaller or slower to grow compared to their littermates — as they might have underlying health concerns. Weigh the puppies twice daily during their first couple of weeks, then switch to daily weigh-ins. It’s critical that puppies continue gaining weight; any weight loss or stagnation requires veterinary advice and possibly supplemental feeding.

Remember, puppies shouldn’t leave their mother or littermates too early. These early weeks are vital for learning social behaviors. Legally and developmentally, puppies should stay with their family until at least 8 weeks old, with 10 weeks being ideal to maximize social learning.

Proper Feeding and Weaning Practices

Newborn puppies must nurse every 2 hours during their first week or two to get adequate nutrition. As they grow stronger and gain weight, feeding intervals can gradually increase to every 3 to 4 hours.

When the puppies reach 3 to 4 weeks old, you can start the weaning process by introducing soft, moistened puppy food. Mix high-quality commercial puppy kibble with water or canned food to make it easy for their tiny jaws.

The mother should remain accessible for nursing during this transition, but over the coming weeks, the puppies will gradually shift to eating solid food. Most mother dogs naturally wean their pups between 5 and 6 weeks, as the sharp teeth emerging can make nursing uncomfortable for her. Keep an eye on the mother for any signs of mastitis and seek veterinary care if needed.

Connect With Your Veterinarian Soon After Birth

Reach out to your veterinarian shortly after the puppies arrive for guidance on their first health checkups. Some vets prefer to evaluate newborns immediately to screen for cleft palates, umbilical hernias, and other concerns, while others may recommend waiting until the pups are a few weeks old.

Most veterinarians suggest starting deworming every two weeks beginning at 2 weeks of age. The initial distemper and parvovirus vaccinations are generally scheduled around 6 weeks, unless your vet advises otherwise.

By providing loving, informed care from day one, you set the foundation for happy, healthy puppies that will grow to be treasured members of your family.