How to take care of newborn puppies

Methods for Taking Care of Newborn Puppies:

1. Eat well with breast milk

A dog can give birth to multiple puppies in one litter. Newborn puppies need to be fed every two to three hours. Generally, the mother dog can take good care of her babies. If there are no special circumstances, try not to intervene too much in the mother dog's care.

Because newborn puppies have poor hearing and their eyes are not open yet, they rely on instinct to suckle their mother's milk. Therefore, it is important to ensure that each puppy gets enough milk. Otherwise, it can affect their development and lead to physical weakness.

2. Dealing with insufficient breast milk

For puppies that do not have enough breast milk or cannot access it, they need careful care. Prepare lamb milk powder or specialized milk powder for dogs, dog-specific bottles or small-sized baby bottles, and disposable syringes can also be used.

Puppies younger than one week old need to be fed about 2ml of milk every two hours. For puppies older than one week, the interval between feedings and the amount can gradually be increased. After feeding, observe the puppies' stomach. If it is slightly swollen, it means they are full.

3. Ensure warmth and care

Puppies younger than three weeks old cannot maintain their body temperature, so they like to huddle together for warmth. Prepare a comfortable and warm nest with a soft cotton blanket. Be careful not to let the mother dog crush or step on the puppies.

4. Observe defecation

The mother dog will stimulate the puppies' anus with her tongue so that they can defecate. If the mother dog does not know how to take care of them, the caretaker needs to take measures to help the puppies defecate. Dip a small amount of warm water on a sterilized cotton ball and gently stroke the puppies' abdomen, anus, or genitals.

5. Sunbathe

Generally, puppies will open their eyes 7-10 days after birth. Once the puppies have opened their eyes, the owner can choose a sunny day to give them a sunbath. Sunlight can promote the absorption of calcium in the puppies, and the ultraviolet rays in the sunlight can also kill bacteria on the puppies' bodies, ensuring that the puppies grow in a healthier environment.

6. Weighing

For puppies that are one month old, their weight changes every day. Generally, their weight increases by 50-80g per day. If the owner finds that the puppies' weight stops increasing, they should quickly find out the reason. If it is due to insufficient milk from the mother dog, the owner should supplement the milk artificially. It is best not to feed the puppies with cow's milk, and lamb milk or specialized milk for dogs is the best choice. Before feeding, the milk should be warmed up, and a temperature of around 25℃ is suitable. After the puppies are one month old, they can be appropriately fed with liquid food. If the puppies stop gaining weight due to illness, the owner should immediately take them to a veterinary hospital for diagnosis and treatment.