The mother bitch is often responsible for the care and well-being of her newborn litter. If the mother is absent, inattentive or unable to care for her new puppies, you may have to remove them from her and raise them yourself. If you have to raise a new litter, it is important to educate yourself about their needs and how to fulfill them.
Instructions
Keep your newborn puppies warm. Newborn puppies cannot regulate their own body temperature and usually rely on their mother and littermates to keep them warm. If the mother is not available, you should place a couple towels in a box and use a heating pad or a heat lamp, similar to what farmers use with baby chicks, to keep your puppies warm. Be careful not to overheat them. According to The Book of the Bitch: A Complete Guide to Understanding and Caring for Bitches by J.M Evans and Kay White, a newborn puppy's body temperature should be 94 degrees Fahrenheit and gradually increase to 101.5 degrees Fahrenheit.
Learn to feed your newborn puppies properly. Mothers will normally nurse their puppies, but if the mother is unavailable, inattentive or does not produce enough milk then you should purchase a commercial milk replacement product. At first you may need to administer it with a children's medicine dropper but before long they will be able to take a baby bottle. Newborn puppies should be fed every two hours.
Help your puppies urinate and defecate after each feeding by manually stimulating their anal area. This can be done by rubbing a warm, moist towel over the area.
Encourage your puppies to be active and play with others. According to peteducation.com, enabling the puppy to feel well-loved and secure will prevent future behavioral problems.
Visit your vet. Newborn puppies can be susceptible to diseases such as distemper, parvo and rabies, all of which can be prevented through proper vaccinations. Regular deworming is also recommended.