How to Take Care of Orphaned Chihuahua Puppies

Chihuahua puppies can become orphaned in a variety of ways. The puppies' mother could die during childbirth, be hit by a car or become lost and separated from the babies. Although orphaned chihuahua puppies can survive without their mother, they will need your help to do so.

Things You'll Need

  • Bedding
  • Box or portable kennel
  • Puppy formula
  • Puppy food
  • Baby bottle
  • Sponge
  • Heating pad or warm water bottle
  • Thermometer
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Instructions

    • 1

      Provide a warm, dry and safe space for the puppies. A cardboard box or portable pen will do the trick nicely, and you can add bedding for comfort. You want to contain them so they do not get into trouble.

    • 2

      Add a source of heat. A mother dog normally keeps her puppies warm through her body heat, but a bottle filled with warm water or a heating pad turned to low will do the trick. Wrap the bottle or heating pad in a towel to prevent the heat from burning the puppies' skin. Use a thermometer to ensure that the ambient temperature is between 90 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit in the first week of life, 85 degrees for the second week, and 80 degrees during the third week. The temperature can go to 75 degrees in week four and down to 70 degrees or normal room temperature beyond that.

    • 3

      Feed newborn chihuahuas special puppy formula, which can be purchased at any pet supply store. Follow the directions on the package to prepare the formula. Warm the milk to about 98 degrees and use a small baby bottle to hand feed the puppies. Buy the smallest nipple available, as chihuahua puppies have extremely small mouths. Puppies should be laid on their tummies while feeding. If they don't naturally accept the nipple, place it in their mouths. Afterward, burp the puppies like you would a baby, being careful not to put too much pressure on their tiny bodies. This should be done every few hours. After about week three, you can switch to a high-quality puppy food mixed in the blender with formula.

    • 4

      Help your tiny puppies eliminate immediately after they feed by using a small sponge dampened with warm water to wipe each puppy's rear end for a few minutes until it goes potty. After they are three weeks old, the puppies should be able to urinate and defecate on their own. Because chihuahua puppies are so tiny, look for a small sponge at a craft supply store or cut a larger sponge so that all you have is a small square or circle.

    • 5

      Keep their sleeping area clean. Replace blankets or other bedding if any of the puppies has an accident. Wipe down the puppies with a soft cloth periodically as well, because their mom is not there to clean them.