How to Care for Newborn Puppies

Waiting for the arrival of newborn puppies is an exciting experience, but it’s essential to know how to care for both the mother and her puppies. Proper care ensures the safety and health of both the mother and her pups. This article covers how to prepare the mother and your home before the puppies are born, as well as the best practices for caring for newborn puppies.

Choose a box large enough for the mother dog to lie comfortably. The whelping box is where the dog will give birth. It should be able to keep the puppies warm and protect them from being crushed if the mother accidentally lays on them.

• The box should have four sides and a bottom. Pick a box with enough length and width to accommodate the mother’s head and legs when she stretches out. The width should allow the mother to lie down and leave space for the puppies, which is typically half the mother’s height.
• Ensure the sides are tall enough to prevent the puppies from escaping, but low enough for the mother to easily jump out.
• Whelping boxes are available at most pet stores, or you can use a sturdy cardboard box or make one from plywood or MDF. You can also connect two large boxes, like a TV box or an appliance box, by cutting one side of each and joining them to create a longer box.

Create a safe space for the puppies. Puppies need a secure area in the whelping box where the mother cannot accidentally lie on them (which could lead to suffocation). You can create this separated space by installing a sturdy wooden barrier about 10-15 cm high from the bottom of the box.

• A broom handle works well as a barrier.
• This is particularly important once the puppies are over two weeks old and become more active.

Line the bottom of the whelping box. Place several layers of newspaper and a few old towels at the bottom of the box, or use a pet-specific plastic polyester liner that can absorb moisture from both the mother and the puppies.

Place a heating pad in the puppy area. After preparing the area for the puppies, place a heating pad underneath the newspaper layers. When the puppies are born, turn on the heating pad at the lowest setting to keep the puppies warm after they leave their mother's womb.

• If you prefer not to use a heating pad, you can use a heat lamp, directing the warmth towards a corner of the box. However, be cautious as the lamp can dry out the puppies' skin. If you must use a lamp, regularly check the puppies' skin to ensure it doesn't become dry or red. Turn off the lamp if you notice any skin issues.
• You can also use a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel for temporary warmth.

Cover the opening of the whelping box with fabric. During labor, the mother dog often prefers to lie in a den-like area where she feels secure and is more likely to deliver more easily. Cover part of the opening of the box with a large towel or blanket to provide her with some privacy and comfort.

Place the whelping box in a quiet room. The mother dog will prefer to be undisturbed while giving birth, so it's important to choose a quiet area for the whelping box, away from any noise or distractions.

Place food and water near the whelping box. Make it easier for the mother dog to eat and drink by placing food and water close by. You can still keep the food and water in their usual spot, but having them nearby the whelping box will help the mother feel more secure.

Let the mother explore the whelping box. At least two weeks before the puppies are due, allow the mother to freely explore the whelping box. Be sure to place the box in a quiet location. The mother typically prefers to nest in a peaceful place as her labor approaches.

Place her favorite food in the box. To help the mother get comfortable with the whelping box, put some of her favorite food inside. This will help her associate the box with a pleasant and familiar place where she can enjoy her favorite treats.

Let the mother choose where to give birth. Don’t worry if she doesn’t choose the whelping box for delivery. The mother will select a place that feels safest to her, such as behind a sofa or under a bed. As long as it’s not dangerous for her, allow her to settle in her chosen spot.

• If you try to move her, it may cause stress and delay or halt the labor process.

Prepare a flashlight in advance. If the mother dog decides to give birth under the bed or behind the sofa, it’s best to have a flashlight ready to monitor the situation easily.

Have the veterinarian's phone number ready. Save the vet’s phone number in your phone or post it on the fridge. In case of an emergency, you’ll need it to contact them immediately.

• Ask the vet how to reach them if the dog goes into labor during the night.

Assign an adult to monitor the birth process. Have a trusted adult stay near the whelping box to ensure everything goes smoothly. This person should be very familiar with the mother dog. Limit access to the area while the mother is giving birth, as it could cause stress or distraction, potentially delaying or halting the labor.

Don’t invite guests to watch the birth. The mother dog needs a quiet environment to focus on giving birth, so avoid inviting neighbors, children, or friends to observe. This could cause stress or distraction, which may stop the labor.

Do not cut the umbilical cord of the puppies. Cutting the cord before the elastic membrane, which contains shrinking blood vessels, can cause bleeding. Leave the cord intact, and it will dry, shrink, and eventually fall off by itself.

Do not touch the puppies' umbilical cords. There is no need to apply antiseptic to the puppies' umbilical cords or the placenta stump. As long as the whelping area remains clean, the umbilical cords will not get infected.

Replace old towels and newspapers in the whelping box. It’s crucial to keep the whelping area clean after the puppies are born, but you should avoid disturbing the mother too much. When the mother goes to the bathroom, you can replace the soiled bedding material. Dispose of the dirty newspapers and replace them with fresh ones whenever possible.

Allow the mother dog and her puppies to bond in the first 4-5 days. The first few days of the puppies' lives are vital for establishing a bond with their mother. Try not to interfere with them during this period.

• Avoid moving the puppies around early on. Only move them when necessary for cleaning the box, typically from day three onward.

Check the puppies' body temperature. Feel their bodies by hand. Puppies that are too cold will feel cool to the touch and remain unresponsive and very still when touched. Puppies that are overheated usually have red ears and tongues. They will wriggle uncomfortably to avoid the heat source.

• The normal body temperature for puppies at birth is around 34.5-37.2°C. This will rise to 37.8°C when the puppy is 2 weeks old. However, there is no need to measure the temperature with a thermometer. If you are concerned, consult a veterinarian.
• If using a heat lamp, regularly check the puppies’ skin to prevent it from becoming dry or red. Turn off the lamp if this happens.

Adjust the room temperature. Newborn puppies are unable to regulate their body temperature, making them prone to cold. If the mother is not around, you must provide a heat source for them.

• Set the room temperature to a level where you would feel comfortable wearing shorts and a t-shirt.
• Place a heated pad underneath the bedding material to provide extra warmth for the puppies. Keep the heat on a 'low' setting to avoid overheating, as puppies cannot move to a cooler spot if they get too hot.

Weigh the puppies daily. Use a handheld electronic scale to weigh each puppy daily during the first three weeks. Record their individual weight to ensure they are healthy and receiving adequate nutrition. Sterilize the scale surface before placing the puppies on it. Use a household disinfectant to clean the scale, then dry it.

• Monitor for steady weight gain each day. Don’t worry if one day the puppy doesn’t gain weight or loses a small amount. As long as they are active and eating normally, you can wait until the next day to check again. Contact a vet if the puppies aren't gaining weight.

Keep visitors from bringing in germs. Visitors who come to see the puppies are often the source of infections. Their shoes and hands may carry bacteria or viruses.

• Ask visitors to remove their shoes outside before entering the room where the mother dog is nursing her pups.
• Require visitors to wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water before touching or holding the puppies. However, limit contact with the puppies to avoid unnecessary handling.

Do not allow non-pet animals near the puppies. Other animals can carry diseases and bacteria that are dangerous for newborn puppies. The mother dog is also vulnerable to infections, which can then spread to her puppies. Therefore, you must keep non-pet animals away from the household during the first few weeks after the puppies are born.

Help the puppy latch onto the nipple. Newborn puppies cannot see or hear, and they are unable to walk until they are about 10 days old. They must fumble around to find their mother's nipple. Some puppies may need a little help during the process of learning how to latch onto the mother.

• Start by washing and drying your hands. Pick the puppy up and gently place its mouth on the mother's nipple. The puppy will often fumble with its mouth to explore, but if the puppy cannot find the nipple, you can gently guide its head so that its lips are on the nipple.
• Sometimes, you may need to express a few drops of milk from the nipple. The puppy will smell the milk and find the mother's nipple.
• If the puppy still cannot latch, gently place a finger at the corner of its mouth to open its jaws. Then, place the puppy’s mouth on the nipple and remove your finger. The puppy will start to nurse.

Monitor the nursing process. Keep track of which puppy usually nurses from which nipple. The nipples at the back typically produce more milk than those at the front. A puppy nursing from the front nipple will receive less milk than one nursing from the back nipple.

• If a puppy is not gaining weight as quickly as the others, try to encourage it to nurse from the back nipples.

Do not bottle-feed while also letting the puppy nurse from the mother. When the mother is nursing, her body produces milk. If the puppies do not nurse enough, the milk production will decrease. A decrease in milk production can lead to insufficient nutrition for the puppies.

• Only bottle-feed if absolutely necessary. This is when a puppy is too weak to compete with its siblings for a nipple or when the mother has more puppies than she has nipples.

Place food and water where the mother can easily access it. The mother dog often does not want to leave her puppies, so make sure food and water are within her reach. Some mothers will not leave the nest for 2-3 days after giving birth. In this case, you should place the food and water inside the box.

• The puppies will be able to observe their mother eating.

Allow the puppies to explore their mother's food. Newborn puppies depend completely on their mother’s milk for the first 3-4 weeks. After this period, they start to explore their mother's food, which is a natural reflex as they begin weaning. By this time, they are no longer considered newborn puppies.

Prepare for round-the-clock care. Caring for newborn puppies is a demanding task that requires full dedication, especially during the first two weeks. Initially, they need constant care, 24 hours a day.

• You may need to take time off work to care for them, as puppies need near-constant attention during the first two weeks.
• Consider this before allowing your dog to mate. If you cannot commit enough time to care for the puppies, you should avoid breeding your dog.

Buy a suitable puppy milk replacer. If the puppies do not have a mother to nurse from, you must purchase an appropriate milk replacement. The best option is a specially formulated puppy milk replacer. This product is usually available in powder form (such as Lactol) and needs to be mixed with boiled water, similar to preparing infant formula.

• This milk replacer can be found at veterinary clinics or large pet stores.
• Do not use cow’s milk, goat’s milk, or infant formula, as they are not suitable for puppies.
• As a temporary solution, you can mix evaporated milk with boiled water until you can get the proper puppy milk replacer. Mix 4 parts condensed milk with 1 part boiled water for feeding.

Feed the puppies every 2 hours. They need to be fed every 2 hours, which means you must feed them 12 times in a 24-hour period.

• Follow the instructions on the milk replacer packaging (usually 30 grams of powder for 105 ml of boiled water).

Watch for signs that the puppy is hungry. Hungry puppies cry loudly, making a whimpering noise to signal they need to nurse. If the puppy is arching its back and whimpering, it likely hasn’t eaten in 2-3 hours and needs to be fed.

• You can also observe the puppy’s belly. Since puppies have very little body fat, when hungry, their bellies will appear flat or slightly sunken. When full, their bellies will look round like a little barrel.

Use a specially designed bottle and nipple for puppies. The nipples designed for puppies are softer than those made for infants. You can purchase these from veterinary clinics or large pet stores.

• In an emergency, you can use an eyedropper bottle to feed the puppies. However, this option should be avoided as it can introduce too much air into the milk, which can lead to discomfort and bloating.

Feed the puppy until it stops sucking. Follow the instructions on the product packaging to estimate the amount of milk needed. However, a good rule of thumb is to feed the puppy until it is no longer hungry. It will stop sucking when it is full.

• When the puppy is full, it will likely sleep and will ask for food again when it’s hungry, usually in about 2-3 hours.

Clean the puppy's face after feeding. After the puppy has finished feeding, wipe its face with a warm, damp cotton cloth. This method mimics the mother's licking behavior and helps reduce the risk of skin infections.

Sterilize all feeding equipment. Thoroughly wash and sterilize all feeding tools used for the puppies. Use sterilizing products specifically designed for infant equipment or steam sterilizers.

• Alternatively, you can boil the items in water to sterilize them.

Clean the puppy’s anus before and after each feeding. Newborn puppies cannot urinate or defecate on their own and require stimulation. The mother usually licks the area around the anus before and after feeding to help stimulate elimination.

• Wipe the area around the anus with a warm, damp cotton cloth before and after each feeding. This will stimulate the puppy to urinate and defecate, and you should clean up any waste promptly.

Bắt đầu giãn biên độ cho ăn khi chó đạt 3 tuần tuổi. Dạ dày chó con lớn hơn theo thời gian nên có thể trữ thức ăn nhiều hơn. Đến tuần thứ ba bạn có thể cho ăn sau mỗi 4 giờ.

Kiểm tra thân nhiệt chó con. Dùng tay sờ cơ thể chúng, chó bị lạnh sẽ tạo cảm giác mát khi chạm tay vào, nó cũng không phản ứng và rất im lặng khi bị chạm. Chó bị nóng quá mức thường có tai và lưỡi đỏ. Chúng cựa quậy bất thường nhằm cố gắng tránh nguồn nhiệt nóng.

• Thân nhiệt chó con lúc mới sinh thường vào khoảng 34,5-37,2 độ C. Nhiệt độ này sẽ tăng lên 37,8 độ C khi chó được 2 tuần tuổi. Tuy nhiên bạn không cần phải đo thân nhiệt chó bằng kẹp nhiệt độ. Tham khảo ý kiến bác sĩ thú y nếu bạn lo lắng hay có thắc mắc.
• Nếu đang sử dụng đèn làm ấm bạn phải định kỳ kiểm tra da chó để tránh bị bong tróc hay đỏ. Tắt đèn nếu tình trạng này xảy ra.

Điều chỉnh nhiệt độ phòng. Chó con mới sinh không thể tự điều hòa thân nhiệt nên chúng dễ bị lạnh. Nếu không có chó mẹ ở đó bạn cần cung cấp nguồn nhiệt cho chúng.

• Điều chỉnh nhiệt độ phòng sao cho bạn cảm thấy thoải mái khi mặc quần đùi và áo thun.
• Cung cấp thêm nhiệt vào chỗ chó con nằm bằng cách đặt đệm làm ấm dưới vật liệu lót. Điều chỉnh nhiệt ở mức “thấp” để tránh quá nóng. Chó con không thể tự di chuyển sang chỗ khác nếu bị nóng.

Sau hai tuần tuổi bạn có thể sử dụng sản phẩm chống giun cho chúng. Chó thường mang giun và các ký sinh vật khác có thể gây ra nhiều vấn đề về sức khỏe, vì vậy bạn nên sử dụng thuốc chống giun ngay khi chó con đủ lớn. Không có sản phẩm chống giun nào được khuyến nghị dùng cho chó con mới đẻ. Tuy nhiên fenbendazole (Panacur) phù hợp cho chó từ 2 tuần tuổi trở lên.

• Panacur có dạng lỏng và được sử dụng bằng cách dùng ống tiêm bơm vào miệng chó sau khi bú sữa. Liều lượng uống là 2 ml mỗi ngày cho mỗi kilôgam cân nặng. Cho uống mỗi ngày 1 lần trong 3 ngày.

Wait until the puppy is 6 weeks old before applying flea medicine. Flea treatments should never be used on newborn puppies. Most of these products include weight and age recommendations, and currently, there is no product approved for use on newborn puppies.

• Puppies must be at least 6 weeks old before applying selamectin.
• For fipronil (Frontline), puppies need to be at least 8 weeks old and weigh over 2 kg.

Start vaccinating the puppy at 6 weeks of age. Puppies already have some immunity from their mother's milk, but they still require additional vaccinations for full protection. Consult your veterinarian about an appropriate vaccination schedule for your puppy.