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As mentioned in some articles, dogs are like children that never grow, especially if they are newborns. Puppies, although they are very cute, are very sensitive and delicate and require special care in the first weeks of life, a process on which their further development will depend.
In many cases, from the moment they are born, dogs suck their mother's milk, but in cases of abandonment, you will have to feed them yourself. Basically, the care dynamics for newborn puppies is based on five key areas: observation, feeding, body temperature, social skill development and veterinary care.
The most important thing is to have a lot of patience and take this whole process with a lot of love, this way everything will be simpler and even more rewarding. If your dog is about to have puppies or is simply curious to know what the care for newborn puppies, continue reading this article by PeritoAnimal where you will find several important information. The rest depends on you and Mother Nature. Good luck!
Dog observation
Observation is the first stage, starting from the moment the puppies leave their mother's belly until the first few months. You must observe the state of each of the puppies, see if they move or not, if they breathe correctly or irregularly, if they are bigger or smaller among themselves, and very importantly, observe the relationship they have with their mother.
We have to keep the dogs near the mother, your natural care is crucial for the physical and psychological well-being of each animal. We shouldn't separate them until about 3 months, as their life and socialization depends on it.
On the other hand, it is observed signs of illness, such as vomiting, excessive crying, diarrhea or any physical abnormality, it is important that you report it immediately to your veterinarian.
dog feeding
At birth, puppies feed on their mother's milk that will provide them the colostrum necessary to develop. Colostrum gives them immunoglobulins, fats, carbohydrates, proteins and water. This food gives them the defenses they need so they don't have any illnesses.
If, on the other hand, you have adopted a dog and do not have the mother present, you will have to give him a bottle. If you want to know how you can do this visit our article on how to feed newborn puppies. Normally, during the first few days, newborns feed every two or three hours. This happens in the first few weeks, as they develop, the interval increases. After a month, they begin to transition from liquids, to soft foods and then solids.
don't forget that food is super important. Puppies that do not gain adequate weight during this stage may not survive. For this, you should weigh them regularly and keep a strict follow-up on the weight of the puppies.
the dog's temperature
Maintaining the newborn's body temperature is of crucial importance. Puppies inside their mother's belly keep themselves at an ideal temperature when they leave, if you don't pay attention to these details. can get to die. Many puppies do not live longer than a week for this reason.
The mother and the puppies should have a special area prepared where they can be comfortable, warm and have a some privacy. We recommend that you have a mat, pillows and thick blankets. Cleaning is also necessary to keep babies healthy. Daily you should clean the space and change all the clothing.
On the other hand, if the puppy does not have a mother who gives him warmth or has been rejected by the mother, he must give her a lot of love and be even more careful. Ideally, put it in a cardboard or transport box with your blankets. You will need a stable temperature between 20°C and 22°C.
Just under your "nest" you can put an electric blanket, wrapped in another blanket (so that it doesn't have direct contact). This is an excellent tool for conserving heat.
dog socialization
If you want your puppies to grow up healthy and happy, you should pay attention to socialization, which for them is very important at this stage, on which their future interaction with other puppies, with you and with the outside world will be based.
According to some experts, it is positive that puppies, from the moment they are born, keep in contact with their mother and siblings until they are 3 months old. This teaches them to relate, to acquire behaviors typical of puppies and later on, build the necessary emotional confidence to get by on their own.
Sharing food, space and the affection of the owner are things that have been learned since puppies are puppies. Body contact and the fact that they develop their sense of smell is essential for them to develop good and healthy social skills, allowing dogs to interact with each other in a natural way.
Stay alert with the puppies that isolate themselves from the group and try to bring them closer, however, don't push too hard, each puppy has its own character and personality.
Visit the expert
It will be very important to use a professional to make sure that the puppies are in good health and start their vaccination schedule. It will also be critical. put a chip to all puppies so they can be located if they get lost in their adult stage. Castration is also very convenient.
