How to take care of a newborn dog
Newborn dogs are very fragile and require careful care from their owners to grow up healthily. Here is a detailed guide on how to care for newborn puppies, including feeding, warmth, hygiene, and more.
1. Feeding management

Newborn puppies rely primarily on their mother's milk for the first few weeks of life. If the female dog is unable to breastfeed, she must be artificially fed with specialized dog milk powder.
| age | Feeding frequency | Feeding amount (per meal) |
|---|---|---|
| 0-1 week | Every 2-3 hours | 5-10ml |
| 1-2 weeks | Every 3-4 hours | 10-15ml |
| 2-3 weeks | Every 4-5 hours | 15-25ml |
| 3-4 weeks | Every 5-6 hours | 25-40ml |
Note:Never feed cow's milk as it may cause diarrhea in puppies. Dog milk powder should be used and the milk temperature should be ensured (approximately 38°C).
2. Warming measures
Newborn puppies cannot regulate their body temperature and need to keep their environment warm to avoid colds or hypothermia.
| ambient temperature | Ways to keep warm |
|---|---|
| 0-1 week | 30-32℃ (use heat lamp or heating pad) |
| 1-2 weeks | 27-30℃ |
| 2-4 weeks | 24-27℃ |
Tips:Place soft towels or blankets in the puppy's kennel and change them regularly to keep them clean.
3. Hygiene and health
Puppies have low immunity and need to pay special attention to hygiene to prevent infection.
| Nursing matters | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Clean excretion (when the female dog is not licking) | after each feeding |
| Replace bedding | 1-2 times a day |
| Watch weight gain | daily record |
FAQ:If your puppy loses weight, continues to cry, or has diarrhea, seek medical attention promptly.
4. Socialization and training
After 3-4 weeks, puppies begin to explore the environment and can gradually undergo socialization training:
5. Weaning transition
Weaning can begin around 4 weeks, and soft soaked puppy food can be gradually introduced:
| stage | food type |
|---|---|
| 4-5 weeks | Milk powder + a small amount of soaked dog food |
| 5-6 weeks | Reduce milk powder and increase the proportion of dog food |
| 6-8 weeks | Complete transition to puppy food |
Summary:Caring for a newborn puppy requires patience and care, and ensuring nutrition, warmth and hygiene are key. If you encounter any abnormal situation, consult your veterinarian promptly to help your puppy grow up healthily!
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