Taking care of a newborn pup is simpler than a human child? You might want to rethink. Taking care of a brand-new animal is as challenging as a human.
Puppies such as cavapoo puppies have special needs, which one has to take care of while the furballs are still just balls of fur with absolutely no acknowledgement of the world.
If you are new to the world of raising puppies into beautiful and healthy dogs, check out the tips we have laid for you.
If you are new to the world of raising puppies into beautiful and healthy dogs, check out the tips we have laid for you.
1. Build a comfortable space
Newborn puppies will spend the first three weeks of their life in the box/den, unable to regulate their body temperature.
Keep the litter and their mother in a comfortable space, where she can stretch without crushing them. Line up the den with blankets and pillows, with a heating pad under it for warmth and comfort.
There will be waste in the area for the next few weeks, and you will need to change the bedding every day because they sleep about 90% of the day.
2. Don’t compromise on cleanliness
Mom dogs keep their litter clean by taking care of their waste. They lick the genitals of the newborn litter to stimulate urination and defecation. In case your puppies are orphaned, you can use a washcloth or cotton ball dipped in warm water to massage them before and after feedings. The puppies cannot perform the elimination of waste on their own until they are three to four weeks old.
3. Encourage eating
New-born pups are as hungry as the human ones. They need to be fed every two to three hours. They usually rely on their mother for their nutritional needs. Human or cow milk is not suited for puppies as only dog’s milk has the right amount of nutrients, calcium, and calories.
If you are bottle-feeding the baby, mixing formula, check the packaging to decide how much to give. The formula can be bought from any online pet store.
Ensure that only the recommended amount is consumed by the pup. Keep its bed warm to facilitate digestion. When you notice your pup chewing the bottle after three to four weeks, it means it is ready for semi-solid food.
4. Feeding should be done right
During the first few days of nursing, the puppies receive important germ protection from their mother’s milk. The colostrum they receive helps them fight off infections.
Even though it is healthy to let the puppy receive as much of the mother’s assistance as it can, you can feed the newborn through a bottle until they are four to five weeks old.
Puppies need to be fed lying on their stomach as they would feed on the mother. A lukewarm formula should be fed to the puppies and burp them from time to time. Puppies will pull away from the bottle when they are full or the formula is enough.
5. Constantly monitor weight
Every newborn’s weight varies according to its breed. They can weigh from 2.5 ounces to even 2.5 pounds. But the trick here is to keep an eye on the percentage of weight gain.
Weigh them every day for the first two weeks, and check if they gain 10% of their body weight because that is normal growth for the puppies. If there is an unusual drop in weight or there is a bloated tummy, contact your vet.
The babies might lose some weight in their first week but cover it up really quick. In the first year of their life, puppies gain weight rather quickly.
6. Sickness and socialization
It is advised to take your pup to the vet at the age of six weeks because by this time the mother’s antibodies wear off and they are more vulnerable to risk and infection. During their first visit, the vet will give your puppy immunizations and deworming medication.
You might have to tell the vet about the care you have provided already and get ready for the pup’s first vaccination. Once they are fully vaccinated, you can let the furballs socialize with the other dogs and humans.
Over to you…
Taking care of a newborn pup is no less than handling a cranky human child, with fur on it. If your dog had a litter, you are going to have a few tough weeks dealing with it. If your pup is adopted, make sure it was not taken away from its mother very soon.
Keep them away from anything that can harm them, even humans. Once the first few weeks flash away in a jiffy, you can finally be at ease and feel the satisfaction of raising a healthy dog.
