The first two weeks of a newborn puppy's life are essential to his health and survival. A mother dog is the best caretaker for her puppies because she produces nutritious milk and cares for them as nature intended. However, if there is a reason why she cannot nurse or care for a puppy, the newborn's survival depends upon hand raising. At two days old, a newborn puppy faces an uphill battle without his mother but with a little luck and a lot of commitment, you might save his life.
Things You'll Need
- Canine milk replacement (available from a veterinarian) Puppy bottle Thermometer Kitchen scale Cotton balls Cardboard box Heating pad Soft clean rags Unscented diaper wipes
Instructions
Obtain canine milk replacement formula immediately. Because cow's milk and baby formula are not acceptable for a newborn puppy, you must have the correct formula. Purchase a puppy bottle with a soft nipple. In emergencies, you may temporarily use a sterile eyedropper.
Keep the puppy warm in a small cardboard box with soft rags kept in a location where the temperature ranges between 85 and 90 degrees. A heating pad on low beneath the cardboard box may help maintain the temperature. Place a towel between the pad and the box to prevent the box from overheating.
Hold the puppy on his side, not on his back, to feed him the milk replacement formula. Feed a two-day old puppy a minimum of eight times per day for the first week or at least once every 3 hours. Weigh the puppy and feed him at the ratio of 60 calories per day per pound of weight. A puppy that weighs 8 oz. will need 30 calories that day. Weigh the puppy every day and feed him accordingly.
Dip a cotton ball in warm water after each feeding and massage the puppy's genital and anal area. The puppy's mother normally does this and it stimulates the puppy to use the bathroom. Don't skip this step; it is essential to the puppy's survival.
Check the puppy's stool for an indication of her health. If you overfeed her, her stool may be watery. If this occurs, dilute her formula with a little more water until her stools become firm, then return gradually to the recommended strength. Firm stools but constant crying might indicate underfeeding.
Change the puppy's bedding when he soils it to prevent irritation from urine contact. In addition, wash your hands every time before you handle the puppy. Use unscented disposable diaper wipes to gently clean him, taking care to clean his genitals. A small dab of petroleum jelly may prevent his genital area from drying out and becoming irritated.
Hold the puppy frequently and gently massage her in a similar manner to how the mother dog would lick her puppies. If you must raise more than one puppy, place a divider in the cardboard box to keep them from sucking on each other's noses, paws or tails, until they are 3 weeks of age.