How to Care for a Puppy

1 How to Raise and Manage a Puppy

How to raise and manage a puppy.

Newborn puppies are born with eyes and ears closed, spending the first two weeks eating and sleeping. The key is to get colostrum from the mother as soon as possible; before nursing, clean and disinfect the mother’s nipples. Milk meets the puppy’s energy needs, so no extra food is needed yet. If the mother’s milk is insufficient, the litter is large, or the mother dies, hand-rear the puppy, but ideally find a foster mother.

If the mother nurses normally, prevent her from lying on the puppies. Also control the temperature and stimulate urination and defecation. Puppies have little fur and fat and unstable temperature control, so they chill easily. Use an incubator at about 30 C, adding heating pads, infrared lamps, or warmers if needed.

Puppies under 10 days cannot eliminate on their own; the mother usually licks the anus to stimulate it. If she does not, or the puppy is hand-reared, massage the genitals with a finger after feeding to trigger reflex elimination. Most puppies eliminate on their own by 16-21 days, some around 10 days.

After 28 days a puppy controls its temperature and explores more, growing fast and needing more energy and nutrition. If the mother’s milk falls short, supplement with puppy milk replacer or goat’s-milk formula using a small syringe or puppy bottle. Mix formula with warm water and feed at about 38 C.

Around 4 weeks, plan weaning. Introduce soft, moist food, puppy milk cake or kibble softened in goat’s milk, gradually increasing it. After full weaning feed puppy kibble; by about 6 weeks wean fully and separate from the mother to build independence. Feed puppy kibble 4 times a day in small portions, avoid free-feeding. Besides diet, give gentle sun exposure, 2-3 short sunbaths daily when light allows, and regular brushing to boost skin resistance.