How to Care for One Week Old Puppies

Perhaps your favorite female canine has just given birth to a litter of pups, and you're at a loss for how to care for them, or you have happened upon orphaned newborn puppies who need special care and attention. If your pups - also called the whelp - are lucky enough to have their mother around, she'll care for the one-week old pups most of the time. You'll need to record weight gain and make certain that the pups are eating and sleeping properly as well as provide a suitable environment. Most important, however, is to take care of the mother, giving her plenty of water and food.

Things You'll Need

  • Heat-controlled room
  • Blankets
  • Box or dog bed
  • Water
  • Water bowl
  • Puppy food
  • Claw trimmer
  • Canine milk replacement (optional)
  • Paper
  • Pen
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Instructions

    • 1

      Set the room temperature above 70 degrees to keep the one-week old puppies warm. Cover the floor with blankets to remove the chill from tile or hardwood. Puppies should never feel cold when you touch them. Carefully take a rectal temperature reading if this happens. Normal temperatures ranges from 98 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Place cold puppies closer to the mom and contact your veterinarian if this condition continues.

    • 2

      Give the mother plenty of water to maintain a healthy milk supply for the pups. A decrease in milk supply can result in stagnant weight or even loss of weight.

    • 3

      Feed the mother more food than usual, as much as she needs. It may typically be two to four times what she normally eats. Adequate feeding is vital for healthy milk supply. Give her puppy food because it's higher in minerals, protein and fat. Feed her near the puppies so she stays close by them, but give bathroom breaks and time to spend with her owners.

    • 4

      Trim your puppies' claws each week to prevent injury to the mother during nursing. When puppies scratch the mother, she may try to wean too early. Avoid cutting the claws too short, which causes bleeding. Keep the pups close by the mother and talk to her calmly so she knows they're safe.

    • 5

      Feed orphaned puppies canine milk replacement formula every two hours by bottle. Use a warm cloth or cotton pad to stimulate the puppies' rectal areas to encourage urination and defecation. Well-fed pups eat until their bellies round, then fall asleep. A restless, crying pup is probably not eating well, and you should consult your veterinarian if this is the case.

    • 6

      Write down how much weight your puppies gain each day. Puppies typically gain 20 ounces each day, their birth weight doubling between 8 and 10 days old. If puppies aren't gaining adequate, weight, contact your veterinarian.