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Bringing home a new puppy is an exciting and heartwarming experience, but it can also feel overwhelming—especially during those first few critical days. If you're wondering what to expect during your puppy's first week of life and how to provide the best care, you're in the right place. Let's walk through everything you need to know about your newborn puppy’s development from day one to day seven.
🩺 Vet Recommendations
The first week of a puppy’s life is a crucial period for their growth and survival. Puppies are born entirely dependent on their mother for warmth, food, and care. Here are some important milestones and considerations for this delicate stage of life:
- Puppies are born blind, deaf, and toothless. Their eyes and ears remain closed during the first week.
- Their primary focus is nursing and staying warm, as they cannot regulate their body temperature yet.
- A healthy newborn puppy should sleep around 90% of the time and nurse frequently—about every 2 hours.
- Weight gain is a critical indicator of health. Puppies should gain 10–15% of their birth weight daily.
As a pet parent, your role during this time is to monitor the litter and ensure they are thriving. This includes checking that all puppies are nursing well and staying warm.
📋 Care Tips
Whether you’re caring for a new litter at home or fostering puppies, here are some practical care tips to help you support your newborn puppy’s development:
- Temperature Control: Puppies cannot regulate their own body temperature, so keeping their environment warm is essential. Use a heating pad or heat lamp to maintain a temperature of 85–90°F during the first few days.
- Nutritional Support: Ensure that the puppies are nursing from their mother. If the mother is unavailable or unable to nurse, you’ll need to provide a puppy milk replacer (never cow’s milk).
- Hygiene: Keep the whelping area clean and dry to prevent infections. Replace bedding regularly.
- Stimulation for Elimination: Puppies cannot urinate or defecate on their own during the first week. The mother stimulates elimination by licking their genital area. If you’re hand-raising puppies, use a warm, damp cloth to mimic this action after each feeding.
Pay close attention to each puppy’s behavior. If you notice a puppy is lethargic, crying excessively, or failing to nurse, it may require immediate veterinary attention.
✅ Do’s and Don’ts
To ensure your puppies thrive during their first week, keep these do’s and don’ts in mind:
- Do: Monitor each puppy’s weight daily to ensure they are gaining steadily.
- Do: Keep the whelping area quiet and free from unnecessary stressors like loud noises or excessive handling.
- Do: Contact your vet if you have concerns about the mother’s health or milk supply.
- Don’t: Handle the puppies too much during their first week, as it can stress both the puppies and the mother.
- Don’t: Use heating pads without supervision, as they can overheat the puppies if misused.
Following these guidelines will give your puppies the best start in life while minimizing potential risks.
💡 Expert Advice
Caring for newborn puppies can be challenging, especially if you’re new to it. Here are some additional tips from veterinarians to help you feel more confident:
- If the mother dog is attentive and healthy, she will handle most of the care herself. Your job is to support her and step in only if necessary.
- Ensure the mother is receiving high-quality, nutrient-dense food to support milk production.
- If hand-raising puppies, feed them with a bottle designed for newborn animals and avoid overfeeding, as their stomachs are very small.
- Keep your vet’s contact information handy in case of emergencies, such as a puppy refusing to nurse or showing signs of illness.
Remember, early intervention can save lives. If you’re unsure about any aspect of newborn puppy care, don’t hesitate to consult with a veterinarian.
FAQs
Q: How can I tell if my newborn puppy is healthy?
A: A healthy puppy will be warm to the touch, actively nursing, and steadily gaining weight. They should also appear quiet and content when sleeping.
Q: What should I do if a puppy isn’t nursing?
A: If a puppy is struggling to nurse, try gently guiding them to the mother’s teat. If they still won’t nurse, contact your vet immediately to discuss supplemental feeding options.
Book a $49 online vet consultation at https://www.dialavet.com for fast, expert advice.
