Puppies are one of the cutest things in the world. They can brighten your world in no time. The tiny creatures require care and constant attention. Especially during the first few weeks, they need extensive care and protection. It is advisable for the babies to be with their mother during the first few weeks but if you happen to have newborn puppies without their mother then the following are some of the ways in which you can take care of them:
Keep the puppies in a warm place:
Newborn puppies require warmth, and thus you need to make sure that you keep them in a warm place. The puppies will not be able to regulate their temperature, and therefore they are prone to get chilly. To prevent this, you can control the temperature of the room. You can also place warm clothes under its bed to make it feel warm. But at the same time make sure that you do not overheat the environment.
Check for weight gain:
Always weigh your puppies and check if they are gaining weight. Most puppies tend to gain weight regularly during the first three weeks. Use a mild disinfectant on the weighing machine before placing the puppy on the weighing pan. Your puppy should show continuous weight gain if it is eating properly. If you feel that your puppy is not gaining weight, then you can consult a vet.
Keep the Puppy away from harmful germs:
Most of our friends and family will be eager to come and see the newborn puppies. Make sure that they do not bring harmful germs along with them and spread them to the puppies. Request your guests to leave their footwear outside and wash their hands before and after they touch the puppy. Also if you happen to have other pets in the house, do not let them near the puppies.
Get milk substitute:
If the newborn puppy does not have its mother around, then make sure that you provide a suitable replacement for milk. You get them at the veterinary clinic and other pet stores. Try not to give them cow’s milk or goat’s milk. When the puppies grow a little, you can slowly start giving other food. But in the initial stages, it is better if you provide them with milk. You also need to feed the newborn baby every two hours which is about 12 times a day.
Sterilize the feeding bottles:
Make sure that you wash all the equipment you use to feed the dogs. Use a mild liquid disinfectant and a steam sterilizer to keep the feeding bottles clean. You can also boil the equipment in water to kill all the germs.
Wipe the face of the puppy after it feeds:
With a wet cloth wipe the mouth of the puppy. When you clean the mouth of the puppy, you reduce any chance of skin infections.