Instructions
Know your dog and her overall health while she is carrying her litter. Visit the vet regularly as she approaches delivery. Provide the new mother with high quality nutrition while she is nursing her young.
Count how many puppies have arrived after she finishes delivery. If she has more puppies than available nipples, you're going to need to step in.
Purchase puppy formula and nursing bottles from a reliable pet supply store. Check with your vet as to which type of formula to use. You can also use a Playtex nurser for preemies which has a nipple puppies seem to like.
Begin feeding each puppy and placing them back into the basket until every puppy has had a turn.
Begin rotating puppies out of the whelping pen. Wrap a two liter bottle filled with warm water in an old towel. Place half of the puppies inside a box or laundry basket with the warm bottle.
Give each puppy in the litter time away from mom each day. This will ensure they are not being overfed.
Check to see that the new mother is cleaning her babies thoroughly everyday. This helps stimulate urination and defecation. If she hasn't figured this out yet, you will need to clean each puppy until she starts doing it herself. Simply washing their tummies with warm water should do the trick.
How to Care for a Large Litter
Sometimes dogs have way more puppies than are expected. This is especially true for mixed breeds or that occasional litter that comes from a dog who gets out. A female with a large litter may need help caring for her abundance of babies. With a little knowledge you can help a large litter survive the first few weeks.