How soon after birth does a puppy start nursing?
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👁 4019 views 💬 46 replies Respiratory System
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Expert Answer
Generally, a naturally delivered puppy will actively look for the mother dog’s nipple to nurse about 1 to 2 hours after birth. By then the mother has usually licked the dirt from the puppy’s mouth clean, and once the puppy can breathe normally it will nurse. If the puppy cannot find the nipple, the owner should place it next to the mother’s nipple.
A puppy born through a C-section may start nursing only about 2 to 3 hours after birth; before that, the vet or owner must help clear the amniotic fluid from its mouth and respiratory tract.