Is It Bad for Newborn Puppies to Eat a Lot?

Eating too much isn't a problem for newborn puppies, but not eating enough can have serious consequences. Usually the mother dog provides plenty of milk, and puppy nourishment isn't something to worry about. However, if the mother can't produce milk or the puppies are orphaned, you'll have to arrange for intense puppy feeding for the babies to survive.

  1. Colostrum

    • It's important that newborn puppies receive colostrum, the nutrient-dense "first milk" that also offers them antibodies and temporary immunity from various diseases. If your dog experiences difficulty nursing her puppies or doesn't produce milk, contact your vet immediately. Before the birth, obtain some colostrum from your vet in case of emergency. Puppies must receive colostrum within their first 24 hours. After that time, the mother's milk changes in quality so that it provides plenty of calories but not immunity.

    Inadequate Nursing

    • Newborn puppies nurse approximately every two hours for the first seven days. During the first two weeks, they're basically sleeping and eating. If all the puppies are nursing regularly and quietly, assume all is well. If any of them cry a great deal or aren't sucking well, you might have to intervene. It's also important that puppies stay warm, as they can't regulate their body temperature. A puppy who feels cold or is not nursing requires warmth and veterinary attention.

    Feeding Orphaned Puppies

    • If something happens to the mother, prepare yourself for several weeks of puppy-feeding. Ask your vet to recommend a canine milk replacer, which she can provide or you can purchase at pet stores. Mix the formula according to the directions, making enough only for one day's use. For newborns, you might need to feed milk replacer via a medicine dropper. Within a few days, try using a bottle designed for puppies, also available from your vet or at a retail feed or pet store. Not only is milk necessary for nutrition, but without it puppies can quickly become dehydrated, with possibly fatal consequences.

    Schedule

    • Newborn puppies require feeding every three hours, so they must receive eight feedings per day. After the puppy finishes the formula, place him on your shoulder and rub his back gently until he burps. If you're familiar with human babies, the experience is similar. What's not similar is then stimulating the puppy so he can urinate and defecate. Since mother dogs lick their puppies' privates to stimulate elimination, you must imitate that action. Use a soft, lightly dampened cloth or cotton ball and gently rub the anal area until he pees and poops. He needs this stimulation until the age of 2 or 3 weeks.