How to Care for Newborn Yorkies

Yorkies are a small breed of dog that generally grow to be about 9 inches long and 4 to 7 lbs. A litter of newborn Yorkie puppies can be a scary thought as you try to make sure they are all well-fed and healthy. Luckily you don't have to be a professional breeder to take good care of your Yorkie puppies and set them on their path to a healthy adulthood.

Things You'll Need

  • Bedding
  • Food (for the mother)
  • Water
  • De-worming medication
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Instructions

    • 1

      Stay out of the way for the first few weeks and let the mother Yorkie handle the work, according to the Yorkie Info Center website. The mother will take care of the feeding and cleaning during these weeks, so you'll want to make her comfortable with clean bedding, plenty of food and water.

    • 2

      Make sure each of the puppies is getting enough to eat and not become malnourished. If one puppy doesn't appear to be gaining weight as quickly as the others (a puppy should double its weight in the first 10 days), try removing the other puppies and give the undersized some alone time with its mother.

    • 3

      Check for signs of hypoglycemia, an ailment that comes from a sharp drop in blood sugar. Yorkie puppies can develop hypoglycemia if they are not receiving enough food. Telltale signs of hypoglycemia include weakness, a loss of balance and confusion. If you think your puppy is hypoglycemic, contact your veterinarian immediately, as the condition can prove fatal if not treated.

    • 4

      Let your puppies explore their surroundings around the three-week mark. This will let the puppies get more familiar with the world away from their mother. This is also a good time to begin paper-training your puppies by spreading some newspaper around the area. Leave the paper there for a while, so the puppies can notice the scent and get used to doing their business in the appropriate area.

    • 5

      Consult with your veterinarian about de-worming options around the three-week mark. Some puppies will be ready to begin worming treatment at this point if they weigh enough and are healthy. Only a vet can give you the go-ahead on this treatment, so don't do anything without talking to one.