Raising an Orphaned Pitbull Puppy

Pit bulls are one of the most common dog breeds found in animal shelters throughout the U.S. Many irresponsible owners allow their dogs to breed and then abandon the puppies. In other cases, mother pit bulls are unable or unwilling to care for newborn puppies, and responsibility for caring for the puppies falls to the dogs' owner. Raising an orphaned pit bull puppy is challenging, and if the dog is younger than 6 weeks old the dog will require constant care and supervision. With attentive care and proper veterinary attention, however, you can successfully raise an orphaned pit bull.

  1. Health Care

    • Whether the puppy has been abandoned by its mother or by previous owners, immediate veterinary care is the first step in keeping the puppy healthy. Mother pit bulls occasionally abandon sick puppies, so it's important to get a full veterinary exam to determine if the puppy requires special medical care. All puppies require shots and de-worming treatments in the first 8 weeks of life to remain healthy. Immunization requirements vary by state and are often affected by an individual dog's particular health risks, so consult a veterinarian to determine the right immunization schedule for your puppy.

    Feeding

    • One of the biggest challenges of raising an orphaned puppy is keeping the dog fed and hydrated. In the first few weeks of life, the puppy will need milk substitute once an hour, and possibly more. At 6 to 8 weeks old, most pit bulls begin the weaning process and can begin eating solid food. Dry food moistened with milk substitute is often a good transition food. Pit bulls gain weight rapidly and need ample protein, so it's important to adhere to the feeding schedule recommended by your veterinarian. You will also need to stimulate the puppy's anus to encourage it to go to the bathroom until it is 5 to 6 weeks old. Don't make assumptions about the right way to feed your puppy. Talk to a veterinarian about the specific needs of your dog.

    Warmth and Contact

    • Abandoned puppies younger than 6 weeks frequently fail to thrive when they don't get constant warmth and contact with their mother. Contact with a warm body stimulates brain development and disease resistance. Ask your veterinarian about the best way to substitute for the puppy's mother. You will need to keep the puppy warm, but avoid keeping the puppy in bedding that it could get stuck or suffocate in.

    Socialization

    • Improper socialization is among the biggest risks faced by orphaned puppies. Puppies learn basic social skills from their mothers and siblings and can become aggressive, fearful or otherwise developmentally stunted without these early experiences. Pit bulls are especially susceptible to aggression toward other dogs, making socialization even more critical for them. If possible, keep the puppy around its siblings to encourage the development of proper skills. As soon as you obtain approval from your veterinarian to do so, begin taking the dog out to meet other dogs and people, and make these experiences as positive and nonthreatening as possible. Teach your dog bite control by whimpering every time it bites you, and play frequently with the puppy to encourage proper play and body language development.