How to Take Care of Newborn Puppies: Essential Steps for Healthy Development
Bringing newborn puppies into the world is both exciting and demanding. These tiny creatures depend almost entirely on their mother—and on you—to thrive during their first weeks. Let's walk through the key aspects of caring for newborn puppies so they grow healthy and strong.
The First Hours: Immediate Checks and Minimal Handling
Right after birth, it's tempting to scoop up every puppy, but resist the urge. Excessive handling can disrupt bonding with their mother and increase disease risk. Instead:
- Observe each puppy for obvious defects (like cleft palate or limb abnormalities).
- Weigh each puppy soon after birth, then again at 12 and 24 hours.
- Continue daily weighing for at least the first two weeks.
A healthy puppy should gain weight steadily—by day ten, expect them to double their birth weight. If a puppy isn’t gaining or starts losing weight, consult your veterinarian promptly.
Warmth: Creating a Safe Nest
Puppies can’t regulate their own body temperature until about three to four weeks old. Their environment is everything:
- Whelping box temperature: Keep it between 29–32°C (85–90°F) for the first few days.
- Gradually lower the temperature each week until you reach room temperature by week four.
- Ensure there’s a cooler area in the box so puppies can move away from heat if needed.
You can use heat lamps or heating pads (but be careful—never let them get too close or too hot). Overheating is just as dangerous as getting chilled.
Nourishment: Feeding Schedules and Nutrition
The mother’s milk is vital during the early days—especially colostrum, which is packed with nutrients and antibodies. Here’s what you need to know:
- Puppies should nurse about every two hours during the first week.
- If mom can’t nurse or if puppies are orphaned, use a commercial puppy milk replacer (never cow’s milk).
If you’re bottle-feeding, follow your vet’s advice closely regarding amounts and frequency. Proper nutrition now sets the stage for lifelong health.
Hygiene: Cleanliness Is Critical
The mother usually licks her puppies to keep them clean and stimulates them to urinate and defecate. If she’s inexperienced or absent:
- You may need to gently massage each puppy’s genital area with a moist cloth after meals to help them eliminate waste.
- Keep bedding clean and dry at all times—dampness breeds infection quickly in this vulnerable stage.
Developmental Milestones: Watching Them Grow
Puppies change rapidly in their first month:
- Their eyes open between days eight and fourteen; ears open around week three.
- Around three to four weeks old, they start walking more confidently and begin teething.
- This is when gentle socialization—short periods of handling—can start helping them adapt to people and new experiences.
Weaning: Transitioning to Solid Food
Around three to four weeks old, begin introducing softened puppy food mixed with water or formula (making a porridge-like consistency). Mom will gradually reduce nursing as her milk production drops off. By six to eight weeks old, most puppies are eating solid food comfortably. Offer fresh water in a shallow dish from about week three onward.
Deworming & Veterinary Care: Preventive Health Steps
- Deworm puppies starting at two weeks old; repeat every two weeks until at least eight weeks old.
- The mother should also be dewormed per your veterinarian’s advice.
- Puppies usually get their first vaccinations around six weeks old (for distemper, parvovirus, etc.). Follow your vet's recommended schedule strictly.
A checkup within forty-eight hours of birth for both mom and litter is wise—even if everything seems fine. Early intervention saves lives!
Troubleshooting: Signs Something’s Wrong
- If mom has abnormal vaginal discharge, red/swollen nipples, fever, or ignores her pups—call your vet right away.
- Puppies that don’t nurse well, seem restless or isolated from the litter, fail to gain weight, or appear weak/cold/unresponsive need prompt attention.
- Diarrhea or blood in stool is always urgent in young puppies—don’t wait it out!
The First Eight Weeks: Preparing for New Homes
Keep daily records of weights and milestones through at least four weeks. By eight weeks old—with proper nutrition, socialization, training basics, and preventive care—puppies are ready for new homes. Always reach out to your veterinarian if you have any doubts about a puppy's health or development; quick action makes all the difference in these early days!
