How to Care for Newborn German Shorthair Puppies

Since female German Shorthaired Pointers display excellent maternal instincts, humans rarely need to intervene, according to Chris C. Pinney, DVM. Yet, there are certain situations when you may need to step in and help care for a newborn puppy. A mother may reject a puppy if it happens to be smaller than its littermates or if it has physical abnormalities. If a puppy is rejected, the responsibility will become yours to ensure that it receives the care and attention it needs to thrive.

Things You'll Need

  • Blanket or well-insulated heating pad with low setting
  • Towel
  • One large egg
  • Bowl
  • Whisk
  • 4 oz. to 6 oz. homogenized milk
  • 1/2 tsp. to 3/4 tsp. honey
  • Cotton ball
  • Warm water
  • Feeding syringe or pet nurser

Instructions

    • 1

      Warm the puppy in a blanket or with a well-insulated heating pad set to the lowest temperature. You can place a blanket or towel on top of the heating pad and then place the puppy on top of the padding. Never leave the puppy and the heating pad unattended.

    • 2

      Make a homemade feeding formula. Crack one large egg and separate the yolk from the white. Use a whisk to mix the egg yolk with 4 to 6 oz. of homogenized milk. Add 1/2 to 3/4 tsp. of honey to the mixture to sweeten it. Warm the mixture slightly in a pan on low heat on the stove top.

    • 3

      Moisten a cotton ball with warm water and gently wipe the puppy's genital area in order to stimulate waste production. Do this before and after each feeding.

    • 4

      Use a feeding syringe or a pet nurser to feed the puppy 1 tbsp. of formula for every 2 oz. of the puppy's body weight, within a 24 hour period. For example, if the puppy weighs 6 oz., feed it 3 tbsp. over the course of a 24 hour period. Feedings should take place every 2 hours. If you don't have a way to weigh the newborn, feed it according to its demands, but no less than every 2 hours. Allow it to take as much as it wants during each feeding.

    • 5

      Monitor the puppy and take it to the vet immediately if it refuses to eat, or becomes bloated, listless or inconsolable.