Dogs generally deliver their entire litter without incident, and rarely run into difficulties or need assistance. However, it's important to be prepared for a range of possible eventualities for the rare occasions when that is not the case. Here are a few potential scenarios you may find yourself faced with when your dam is in labour, and what to do.
Puppy not breathing upon delivery
Once a pup is delivered, massage or gently rub the puppy until he takes his first couple of breaths, and as soon as he is breathing unaided, put him back with the dam to nurse until the next puppy arrives. If a puppy is not breathing upon delivery, you need to act quickly in order to stand the best possible chance of saving it. Remove any mucous or obstructions from the muzzle of the new pup, and administer two breaths over the nose and mouth gently until you see the stomach inflate. Check for signs of independent breathing, massage the puppy again to try and encourage them to take a breath, and repeat as necessary. Generally this is all you will need to do, and in the vast majority of cases this will not be necessary at all.
Puppy stuck in the birth canal
One of the most commonly faced problems with delivery occurs when a puppy gets stuck in the birth canal on the way out. This is a potentially risky situation for the puppy and the dam as well as any remaining puppies, so you will need to be prepared to intervene if needs be. If your dam has been straining for some time and a puppy is visible at the entrance to the vulva, try to grasp the head of the puppy (without pulling) to keep them from being retracted back into the birth canal between contractions. Then apply lots of lubrication such as KY jelly or warm soapy water, and hold the puppy's head with a clean dry towel or cloth and attempt to rotate them out. Try and work with the contractions, applying gentle but firm pressure while the dam is pushing. If contractions stop and the dam is no longer pushing, you can still attempt to draw the puppy out manually but be prepared to call the vet if this does not work, as this makes things rather more complicated and potentially serious.
Breech delivery
A breech or, as James Herriot so eloquently put it, an 'ass first' delivery, occurs when the puppy enters the birth canal with their back legs first instead of the head, and as such makes the birth harder and potentially risky. Sometimes the dam may successfully deliver a breech puppy unaided, although on occasion this may not be possible. If there is room to manoeuvre inside of the birth canal, it may be possible to get two fingers inside of the dam alongside the puppy and reposition them for a head first birth. If this is not possible, you may need to gently pull the puppy out backwards using plenty of lubrication to aid their passage. It is sadly not uncommon for breech birth puppies to be born dead, as they may have suffocated while in the birth canal or had their air supply cut off by a twisted cord. If you deliver a stillborn puppy, do attempt to revive it using the method described above. If you have help, try to work on the puppy for up to half an hour, as it is not uncommon for a puppy to revive after as much as twenty minutes. While you will of course always do the best that you can, it's important to note that breech births are not always viable, and even with the best of intentions you may be unable to revive the puppy.
Two puppies in the birth canal
On occasions, two puppies enter the birth canal at the same time- and then stop. Two puppies cannot come out into the world simultaneously, and so the two are likely to become stuck in the birth canal like a cork in a bottle. If you can get one finger inside of the vulva, you may be able to push one of the puppies back enough to allow the other puppy to deliver, and then the second puppy will follow in the normal manner.
Green discharge prior to birth
A green discharge after delivery is not uncommon, and signifies the normal separation of the placenta from the puppy that it was protecting. However, a green discharge prior to delivery indicates that the placenta has separated too early. Sometimes this can cause a problem, particularly if no puppy follows immediately afterwards, and you may need to call the vet.
Heavy bleeding
Passing a little blood is a normal part of the birthing process, but if your dam begins bleeding heavily, this may signify a ruptured or twisted uterus. This is an emergency, and you will need to call the vet as soon as possible.
Suspended delivery
If you suspect that the dam has more pups to deliver, but somehow contractions and labour appear to have stopped- this may simply be due to the dam resting and recovering her strength for the next birth, but if an hour or more passes without labour recommencing, you will need to get some help. Sometimes your vet will need to administer a shot that will stimulate contractions, or in some cases, a caesarean section birth may be necessary.
Uterine inertia
If your dam has a particularly large litter of puppies or the puppies are themselves particularly large, the uterus may potentially have stretched to the point that contractions are not possible, or very weak. At this stage, your bitch will require veterinary intervention to deliver, and again, a caesarean section may be considered.
These are some of the potential problems and challenges that may be faced by the dog owner as part of a delivery. Risk factors can be significantly higher with different breeds and types of dog, so it's always strongly advised to talk to your vet at every stage of the breeding process from the time before conception right up until the puppies go off to their new homes in order to prevent potential problems from arising or manage any problems that do come up.
If you are planning to have your bitch give birth at home, you should always have you vet on standby and ready to help out if something should go wrong or you need some advice- However sometimes, such as in the case of a puppy not breathing, you will need to act quickly and take some measures to save the puppy in the time before the vet get there. Having a basic understanding of the warning signs of problems and knowing what to do in an emergency- as well as having your vet on call and ready to attend when you need them- may just save a life.
Whelping your first litter can be exciting and rewarding, but if you’ve never bred dogs before, or experienced your dog giving birth, it can also be difficult to know what to expect. There’s lots to prepare for, such as getting the whelping box ready, knowing what you’ll need once the puppies arrive and how to keep the puppies at the right temperature once they’re born. Find out everything you need to know below in our guide to whelping.
What is whelping?
Whelping is the name that’s given to the process of a dog giving birth. Most dogs can whelp on their own, but sometimes, like humans, some dogs may have complications that can be dangerous to the mother or her puppies.
When is my bitch’s due date?
Knowing your dog’s due date gives you a deadline of when to have everything ready and lets you know roughly when to start watching out for signs that she’s in labour, bearing in mind that some bitches can whelp a few days after or even before their due date, especially if they are expecting a large litter. Most dogs are usually pregnant for around 63 days (plus or minus a week depending on litter size). If you know your dog’s mating date or her ovulation date then you can work out when she’s likely due to whelp.
How can I prepare for birth?
If you haven’t done so already, make sure you let your vet know that your dog is pregnant. If your dog is not registered with a vet then do so straight away. Your vet will be able to give you advice throughout pregnancy and will be there if you have an emergency during whelping. Make sure you have their daytime and out-of-hours telephone number saved in your phone or written down somewhere that’s easy to access.
Talk to your dog’s breeder and read up about what to expect from ‘normal’ labour. The more familiar you are with what normal labour should look like, the easier it will be to spot any possible problems before they become too serious.
What will I need to help my dog during whelping?
If your dog is due to whelp, try keeping everything you need in one bag, box or area, so that it’s easy to find and quick to grab for when she goes into labour.
You will need:
A whelping box
An absorbent material for the whelping box, such as newspapers (but these may become sodden quickly and often stay wet and cold), puppy pads, incontinence pads or vetbeds
Clean towels or paper towels to help clean up during labour
Towels for drying and cleaning up the puppies
Sterilised scissors to cut the umbilical cord, should you need them
A heat source for the pups, either beside, in or over the whelping box (i.e., heating pads or warm hot water bottles wrapped in towels)
A notepad to record time intervals between puppies and contractions
Digital scales to weigh the puppies once they’re born. It’s useful to know how much they weigh initially so you can keep a track of their weight gain or any loss
Clean bedding for when labour finishes
What is a whelping box?
A whelping box is a box that’s designed to keep puppies safe during birth and for several weeks afterwards as they grow and become more independent. You can buy a whelping box, or you can make one yourself, but its aim is to keep the puppies contained and protected from the cold.
A whelping box should:
Be large enough for the bitch to move around freely and stretch out comfortably, with a little room to spare. Make sure it’s not too big, otherwise, the puppies may move too far away from her and can become cold or may not feed enough
Have sides that allow the bitch to move in and out, but are high enough to keep newborn puppies safe and stop them from escaping
Be warm and comfortable
Have a waterproof base
Be lined with bedding that is absorbent, can be cleaned (i.e., vetbeds, towels or a whelping pad) and doesn’t slip easily when moved
Be safe and secure. Some breeders use ‘pig rails’ along the sides (around 3 - 4 inches high) to stop any puppies from being crushed up against the walls
In your whelping box, don’t use hay, wood shavings or straw, as these can damage the puppy’s skin and eyes. Also, don’t have lots of small blankets or pieces of cloth as the puppies may crawl underneath them and either be smothered by them or may be crushed by their mum – one large piece of vetbed is ideal.
Can I use a crate as a dog whelping box?
What you use as your whelping box is up to you, but it must be suitable for keeping your dog and her puppies safe. Some people prefer to buy a box specifically designed for whelping, while others may build a box or repurpose something that can be adapted to make it suitable. One issue with using a crate is that puppies could accidentally stick their head through the bars and get stuck.
Do all dogs nest before whelping?
In the last week or so of pregnancy, most dogs will begin to show signs of nesting behaviours. This is a natural instinct that comes to most dogs to help them find a place that is safe and quiet to give birth and care for their puppies. Some may try and dig holes in the garden under bushes, so it’s a good idea to introduce your dog to her whelping box and make sure that she’s got used to it before she goes into whelp.
What is the best place for my dog to give birth?
When you’re deciding where to put your dog’s whelping box, make sure that you choose somewhere that your dog will feel comfortable. It should be a room that’s warm, comfortable and not draughty. Also, try to choose a room where your dog can have a bit of peace and quiet and won’t be constantly disturbed. A busy family sitting room may not be ideal for some dogs. Despite you choosing the ideal location, some dogs will have other ideas and may find somewhere else that they think is better.
When should I put my dog in a whelping box?
It’s important to give your dog time to get used to her whelping box. Make sure that everything is set up, in position and ready for use around one week before she’s due to whelp. This should give your dog plenty of time for her to explore it on her terms, get comfy and make it feel like her own safe space.
How can I keep my puppies warm?
When your puppies are born, it’s important that, initially, the whelping box is kept at approximately 29°C to 32°C. When puppies are first born, it’s important to keep them warm until they’re able to regulate their own body temperature better. Puppies may snuggle up to their mum to keep them warm, but it’s a good idea to also have an extra heat source. You could use heat lamps, heating pads (electric or water-filled ones) or microwavable heat pads. Whatever you choose, make sure that the heat source:
Is put somewhere that allows the puppies to move away if they get too hot
Doesn’t stop mum from getting up, moving around the whelping box or leaving the whelping box to get water
Doesn’t have wires or other parts that can be chewed by the puppies
Is ideally in the centre of the box to encourage the puppies to move away from the edges of the box where their mum can lie down on them and squash them against the sides
Can be monitored with a thermometer, to check that it’s not too hot or too cold
Should I leave my dog alone during labour?
It’s a good idea for you to be with your dog while she delivers her puppies, especially if:
Being on standby allows you to jump into action if anything goes wrong. Some dogs may like their owners to be with them, while others may prefer a little more space. If your dog would rather be left alone, then try to be involved as little as possible, or stay at a distance to help her feel less stressed.
What to feed a whelping dog
It’s normal for your dog to not want to eat before or during labour. Labour can be thirsty work, so they must stay hydrated, so make sure she has access to plenty of cool water, should they need it.
What are the first signs of whelping?
A bitch’s temperature will often drop by about 1°C around one to two days before she goes into labour. To give you an early warning, you could take her temperature and keep a record of it two to three times a day from about a week before her due date.
The first signs that a dog is due to whelp can vary, but they might include:
Being restless
Nesting, by gathering bedding, circling or digging at the floor
Finding somewhere quiet to go and be by herself (hopefully the whelping box)
Eating less
Producing milk, although this can happen up to a week before she gives birth
Licking her genitals
Being sick and/or having diarrhoea
Panting
Shivering
She may pass a mucous plug from her vagina, which is usually white or clear, but may become red/brown closer to the arrival of the puppy
As she gets closer to giving birth, she may settle down and begin to have contractions. These contractions will become stronger and closer together as labour continues. As you get even closer to birth, your dog’s waters may break.
If you have any doubts while your dog is in labour, then speak to your vet straight away. It’s also useful to have an experienced breeder that you can contact if you have any non-urgent questions, or just for general guidance. For first-time breeders, having an experienced breeder with you to guide you is invaluable.
How long does dog whelping last?
This very much depends on the number of puppies expected. Whelping usually takes most dogs around 3 – 12 hours to birth their entire litter, but this may be different for some dogs and may vary between breeds. Dogs with slimmer heads tend to birth more quickly than dogs with bigger or wider heads. Some dogs may give birth to one or two puppies quite quickly and then rest for a while before labour starts again. Labour shouldn’t take more than 24 hours. If you’re concerned that your dog’s labour is too long, or isn’t progressing between puppies, then always speak to your vet urgently.
What happens during whelping – a step-by-step guide
Contractions - Your dog will begin to have strong contractions and she will pant, sometimes quite heavily. Her contractions should continue to get stronger until she begins to strain, ready to push out a puppy.
Discharge - During contractions, you may see some clear or bloody discharge around your dog’s vagina. This is normal. If you notice a lot of blood, then contact your vet at once.
When to expect the first puppy – Her first puppy will usually take the longest to arrive. How quickly this takes depends on the number of puppies she has and the strength of her contractions. The first puppy may arrive between 30 minutes to four hours after contractions start.
What’s the first thing you see? – As the puppy begins to come out, the first thing you usually see is the puppy in its amniotic sac. This is a fluid bag around the puppy. This may burst as the puppy is born and may be accompanied by the placenta.
Heads or tails? - When your puppies begin to arrive, they will usually come head first, but some come tail first. Both of these are normal.
Amniotic sac - Puppies are often born inside a thin membrane or sac. Your dog will lick and clean the puppies, remove the membrane and chew through the umbilical cord. She won’t usually need any help, but some bitches may focus on the next puppy that’s coming instead of caring for the one that’s just been born. If you need to help, make sure that the sac is broken and that the puppy’s mouth and nose are clear. Rub the puppy with a clean towel, or encourage mum to lick the puppy, to help them take their first breath. Some breeders blow on the puppy’s nose to help stimulate breathing.
Feeding – Soon after being born, and the mum has cleaned up the pup, it should begin to feed. If the puppy is finding it difficult to take milk or find their food, try rubbing their nose sideways on their mother’s nipple.
Green discharge - A puppy’s placenta is greenish-black in colour. Sometimes during labour, there may be a little bit of green discharge after a puppy has been born. But, if there’s an excess of green or dark discharge from your dog’s vagina, particularly if a puppy hasn’t been born yet or it’s been a while since a puppy was born, then it could mean there is a problem.
Between puppies - Between puppies, your dog should seem comfortable and settled and care for her newborn pups until her contractions begin again.
When to expect the next puppy? - There is often a 15 - 30-minute gap between puppies. Contact your vet if:She is not straining, but it’s been longer than two hoursIf she’s straining for more than 20 to 30 minutes and there is no sign of a puppy
Birthing placentas - Each puppy develops in the womb with a placenta. This gives the puppy nutrients and oxygen while they’re growing. Your dog will usually deliver the puppy and placenta separately. She may deliver a puppy and then its placenta, and then another puppy, followed by its placenta etc., or she may deliver several puppies followed by several placentas. Both of these are normal.
Counting puppies and placentas - Many breeders try to count the puppies and the placentas as they appear, this is sometimes not as easy as it sounds. Counting these helps you to know when she has finished giving birth and if she has any retained placentas. If your dog retains a placenta, it can cause an infection.
Eating placentas - Your dog may eat her puppy’s placenta. This is normal but is not essential. Rather than playing a necessary nutritional role, it’s likely an important part of keeping her nest tidy and clear. Eating too many placentas can cause her to be sick or have diarrhoea, so try to restrict how many she eats. Some breeders try to take the placentas out of the whelping box as soon as they arrive
Helping out - Most dogs don’t need help giving birth. Some breeders like to help clean up the puppies, ensure they are breathing and cut and tie off the umbilical cord, while others prefer to let their dog get on with it themselves. If possible, try to have an experienced breeder on standby to help answer any questions.
Vet check-up - Book an appointment with your vet for two to three days after birth to give your dog and her puppies a thorough check-up.
Should I count the afterbirths?
It’s useful to count the number of placentas that your dog births, but this is sometimes easier said than done. Some dogs may try to eat the placenta as soon as it’s produced, making it difficult to count, unless you’re watching your dog constantly. If the placenta isn’t passed straight away then it may break down and pass out when your dog goes to the toilet, around 24-48 hours later. Sometimes a retained placenta can cause an infection, so if you are concerned that your dog may have a retained placenta, or if you notice a bloody or unpleasant-smelling vaginal discharge in the next couple of days, speak to your vet.
Problems during whelping
Most dogs whelp their puppies without any problems at all, but occasionally there can be issues either during birth or afterwards.
How are puppies normally born? Do they usually come out backwards?
Puppies are usually born head first (anterior presentation) or back legs first (posterior presentation). Both of these are normal. If the puppy begins to come out bottom and tail first (breech presentation) it can cause difficulties. If you see the puppy’s tail dangling out of your dog’s vagina, or if your dog seems to be finding it difficult to pass her puppy, and there is a lump behind her vulva, contact your vet at once.
How do you know if a puppy is stuck?
Although most puppies are born without any problems, some puppies may become stuck in the birthing canal. Signs that a puppy might be stuck, that will require help from your vet, include:
She’s straining for more than 30 minutes and there is no sign of a puppy
You can see part of a puppy or an amniotic sac in the birth canal, but it doesn’t move any further for 20-30 minutes
If she seems to be in a lot of discomfort, especially if she is chewing or repeatedly licking at her vulva
If you see the puppy’s tail dangling out of your dog’s vagina and there is no sign of the progression
If your dog seems to be finding it difficult to pass her puppy and there is the is a lump behind her vulva
Can puppies be born 24 hours apart?
Puppies can very occasionally be born 24 hours apart, but this is not normal. If your dog has been in labour for 24 hours and has more puppies to come, or is still having contractions, then you should contact your vet for advice. Not only do the puppies need to come out, but your dog may also be exhausted, which can affect her ability to care for her puppies.
When to contact your vet
If your dog is due to whelp soon, let your vet know a couple of days in advance so that they know that you might need help, or to let you know if there might be any problems with you contacting them.
Although serious whelping complications are rare, it doesn’t stop your first time from being stressful. It’s always useful to have an experienced breeder on standby to help answer any questions, but it’s also useful to have a list of when you should contact your vet.
We recommend you contact your vet if:
It’s been more than 24 hours since the first stages of whelping (restlessness, pacing panting) and there are no signs of contractions
Her waters have broken two to three hours ago, but nothing has happened
She’s in between delivering puppies and she’s not straining, and it’s been longer than two hours
Your dog is straining for more than 30 minutes and there is no sign of a puppy
You can see part of a puppy or an amniotic sac in the birth canal, but it doesn’t move any further for 20-30 minutes
She has a dark or green discharge, especially if she hasn’t had any puppies yet, or it’s been a while since the last puppy was delivered
She is bleeding a lot
She has a foul-smelling discharge
She is very tired or if she seems to be in a lot of discomfort, especially if she is chewing at, or repeatedly licking her vulva
She is sick a lot or seems unwell
She collapses
She shows severe abdominal pain
There is something wrong with the puppies, e.g., they’re not feeding properly or constantly crying
You’re concerned that not all the placentas have been passed
If you need to take your dog to the vet, bring along any puppies that have already been born. Take them in a separate box with something to keep them warm, such as a heat pad or a hot water bottle. If you do use a hot water bottle, make sure there is no way that the puppies can burn themselves on it and that it is wrapped in something to protect the puppies’ skin.
How to know when your dog has finished whelping
Once she has finished whelping, your dog will probably begin to relax and give the puppies more attention. Labour usually takes 3 – 12 hours but can last longer. If your dog had a pre-whelping x-ray or scan, then the best way to know if she’s finished is to count the number of puppies and compare that to the number of puppies that you were expecting. If you are expecting more puppies, but there has been no sign of them for two hours then contact your vet for advice. Remember that pre-whelping scans are difficult to read accurately and should only be used as a guide to estimate how many puppies there are.
What should I do after my dog gives birth?
After all of the puppies are born, your dog will need some time to care for her puppies, bond with them and she will need to rest too. Make sure that she is comfortable and that the room she is in is kept quiet and calm. Your dog may also be hungry and thirsty. When feeding your dog for the first time after labour, feed her in the room that she’s whelped in. Some breeders prefer to put her food outside the whelping box, while others prefer to give it to her while she’s in the whelping box, but they make sure that it’s taken away and cleared up once she’s finished.
Make sure you contact your vet and tell them that your dog has just had puppies. Your vet should be able to do a home visit to check that the bitch and her puppies are all healthy. Find out more about the first vet visit after whelping.
When can I touch a new-born puppy?
You can touch a new-born puppy as soon as they’ve been born. Most dogs are able to care for their puppies by cleaning them up, licking them and ensuring that they can breathe. Some breeders are keen to help their dog with the cleanup by ensuring the puppy’s nose and mouth are clear and by rubbing the puppies to stimulate them to breathe.
After birth, it’s essential that new-born puppies feed and are kept warm. Although their mother does most of the hard work, there are several things that you can do to support her and her brand-new litter of puppies. Raising puppies can be a lot of fun, and very rewarding, but it’s also hard work. It’s important to know how to keep the puppies warm, whether they’re feeding enough and signs to watch out for should they need a bit of extra help.
Straight after birth
Puppies are often born in their amniotic sac (this is a membrane that puppies lie in when they’re in the womb). Most mothers remove this by licking their puppies, breaking open the sac and cleaning it off. Some inexperienced mothers may not know what to do and will need some help. If a puppy is left in its amniotic sac, use a fingertip to break and remove the membrane. Once you’ve done this, it’s important to make sure that the puppy’s mouth is clear and that they can breathe.
Although puppies are born with their eyes closed, they will often work their way toward their mum, being drawn to her smell and warmth. In the early stages of life, a puppy’s mother should be able to provide all of the things that they need, e.g., milk and warmth. If they have these, your puppies should be content and will spend most of their time feeding and sleeping, which is vital for healthy development.
Is it ok to touch newborn puppies?
The first few days of a puppy’s life help them to bond with their mother and are important for their physical development. It’s OK to pick up puppies to check them, weigh them or clean out the whelping box, but try to limit how much you handle them. Puppies are susceptible to disease and the cold, so handling them too much could put them at risk or may even be stressful for them and their mother. Although you may want to give them a cuddle, you’ll get your chance once they’re a bit older. Handling them as they become older and more active is an essential part of their socialisation
Checking your puppies
When they’re first born, check the puppies over and make sure that their ears, eyes, mouth, tail and limbs are all ok. If you spot anything that’s concerning, such as signs of a cleft palate that could affect their feeding, then speak to your vet.
Once they’re born and are feeding, check on them regularly to make sure they seem happy. If any of them seem cold or are crying, try placing them back on one of the mother’s teats. Try to handle new-born puppies as little as possible, but when you do, a sign that they’re healthy is that they wriggle enthusiastically (unless they’re asleep!).
Weighing your puppies
As soon as your puppies are born, try to spot any unique marks that help you identify each individual puppy. It’s important to record each puppy’s birth weight so that you can monitor their progress. Make sure you weigh each puppy 12 and 24 hours after birth to check that they’re gaining weight. It’s a good idea to continue to record these measurements at roughly the same time every day for two to three weeks. Each puppy should steadily be gaining weight each day but contact your vet if they’re not or if they seem weak. How much weight your puppies gain in the first few days depends on their breed. Each puppy should gain roughly two to four grams a day for every kilogram of a grown adult dog of that breed. By around day 10, they should have roughly doubled their birth weight.
Puppy emergencies – when to call the vet
You should contact your vet for advice if you notice any of the following:
A puppy that is not feeding regularly
A puppy that seems weak
A puppy that is not consistently gaining weight
A puppy that seems restless and cries, even though it seems to be feeding OK
Puppies are very sensitive and delicate and can quickly deteriorate, so don’t delay in contacting your vet for advice.
How long can you leave new-born puppies unattended?
After birth, you should check on your puppies every couple of hours to make sure that their mum is looking after them, that they’re feeding and are warm. You should also check that there are no puppies trapped under their mother, as this could suffocate them.
How to keep new-born puppies warm
When puppies are first born, it’s important to keep them warm until they’re able to regulate their own body temperature, which is at around 3 to 4 weeks. Puppies may snuggle up to their mum to keep warm, but it’s a good idea to also have an extra heat source, especially if she needs to pop out to go to the toilet. You could use heat lamps, heating pads (electric or water-filled ones) or microwavable heat pads.
Whatever you choose, make sure that the heat source:
Is put somewhere that allows the puppies to move away if they get too hot
Doesn’t stop mum from getting up or moving around the whelping box
Doesn’t have wires or other parts that can be chewed by the puppies
Is ideally in the centre of the box to encourage the puppies to move away from the edges of the box where their mum can lie down on them and squash them against the sides
What temperature is too hot for new-born puppies?
When your puppies are born, it’s important that, initially, the whelping box is kept at approximately 29°C to 32°C. The temperature can gradually be lowered each week until it's at room temperature by week four. You can tell if the puppies are too hot or too cold by their behaviour.
If the temperature is just right then they will be quiet, feeding and gaining weight. If they are restless and crying, then the temperature needs to be adjusted. If they feel cold to touch, then it’s important that you place them close to their mum and increase the temperature. If they’re trying to move away from the heat source, then try reducing the temperature a little.
Looking after mum
After she’s given birth, try to clean up your dog using warm water and a wrung-out damp cloth. Clean up the whelping box by removing any soiled bedding or newspaper. It’s important to give your dog and her puppies some space and some time to bond and feed together, but it’s also important to take her out to go to the toilet too. When you take your dog out, make sure that the puppies are able to keep warm.
While she’s out, check your dog’s nipples and vulva. If there’s anything that you’re concerned about, such as a foul-smelling discharge, bleeding or her nipples appear swollen, hot or red, then call your vet straight away. Some post-whelping issues can be very serious, so it’s important that you don’t delay if you have any concerns.
A newborn puppy’s first feed
Puppies need to feed from their mum soon after they’ve been born. Their mother’s milk will initially give them everything they need to help them grow. Puppies are born blind, deaf and unable to walk, but they’re able to get to their mother’s nipples by wriggling on their bellies, feeling her warmth and finding their way to her nipple by scent. At first, puppies will drink their mother’s colostrum, which is the first type of milk that she produces. It’s highly concentrated with nutrients and antibodies, giving the puppies the best start in life.
Some inexperienced dogs may not know how to feed their puppies, but you can help show them how by laying her on her side so that her puppies can latch on.
How to help puppies latch on
Sometimes, some puppies may need a little bit of help to find their mother’s teat and feed. If one of your puppies needs help, wash and dry your hands and then pick them up and place them against one of her nipples, with their mouth resting on it. If they still don’t know what to do, try squeezing a little bit of milk out from the teat. This should help the puppy smell the milk and know where to latch on. If the puppy is still not feeding, you could gently put a finger into the corner of their mouth to open it up. Then place their mouth over the teat.
How often should new-born puppies feed?
New-born puppies feed when they’re hungry, which is roughly every two hours. Feeding this often continues day and night for one to two weeks, gradually reducing as time goes by. For the first part of a puppy’s life, it’s important that you check on them every couple of hours to see if they are feeding ok. If you notice puppies that aren’t feeding or gaining weight, then speak to your vet for advice.
How long should new-born puppies nurse for in one sitting?
Puppies can feed for quite a long time and usually drink milk for around 45 to 50 minutes in one sitting. It’s a good idea to watch the puppies feed and make sure that each one is getting enough to drink and that they’re not being pushed away from the teats by larger puppies.
How to keep a weak newborn puppy alive
After they’re born, make sure the puppies are feeding enough. You can check in on them every couple of hours and take note of who’s feeding on which nipple. A dog’s front nipples (the ones closest to the dog’s head) produce the least amount of milk, so puppies that regularly feed from them may not get as much milk as their littermates. Puppies that are smaller than the others, or are not gaining weight as fast, could be placed on the rear nipples (closest to the back legs), as these produce the most amount of milk. If you notice that a puppy seems weak, or is not gaining weight, contact your vet for advice.
When to wean puppies?
When puppies are three to four weeks old you can begin to introduce them to puppy food. Weaning is an important part of your puppy’s development. When your puppy weans, it means that they move from relying on their mother’s milk for all their nourishment to enjoying solid foods.
Most mothers can feed their puppies without needing any help, but sometimes puppies may need to be bottle/tube fed. You might need to bottle-feed puppy if:
In these situations, you can either try to find a foster mother who is currently lactating, which may be difficult, or you'll need to give puppy formula. Your vet will be able to tell you which type to give, how to give it and when.
Can new-born puppies drink cow's milk?
No. Cow’s milk should not be given to new-born puppies and is not a suitable substitute for their mother’s milk. Cow’s milk and dog’s milk have different quantities of nutrients and calories and isn’t suitable for puppies. Puppies should ideally just have their mother’s milk, but some may need to be given specially formulated artificial milk. Always speak to your vet if you don’t think any of your puppies are putting on enough weight or if they're not growing at the right rate.
When do new-born puppies open their eyes?
Puppies are born blind and with their eyes closed. Their eyes usually begin to open between eight and 14 days after they’ve been born. They may not have good eyesight at first, but this improves as they continue to grow and develop. When they're first opened, a puppy’s eyes are usually a greyish blue, but they will become their true colour sometime after eight weeks old.
How to make new-born puppies poo
Puppies can’t go to the toilet by themselves until they’re around three to four weeks old. Until then, their mother licks around their genitals and bottom to help them poo and wee. You may need to help some puppies to go to the toilet, especially if their mother doesn’t know what to do, or if she's died (find out about coping with the loss of your dog).
Most puppies poo after feeding, so this is a good time to help them. You can do this by rubbing at their back end with a warm damp piece of cotton wool until they go to the toilet. Once they’ve gone, make sure you clean them with another piece of wet cotton wool. Check that their stools aren’t too hard or too soft and is of a usual colour. Similarly, their urine should be a pale-yellow colour, the darker it is, the more dehydrated they are.
Keep the whelping box clean
In the first few weeks after birth, your dog will clean up her puppy’s faeces, but she may need help to do this, especially if she’s a first-time mum, or she has a large litter. Make sure that you regularly change the bedding you use in the whelping box, to keep it fresh, clean and hygienic.
Even if the mother is wormed, her puppies can still be affected by intestinal worms. A few days after the puppies are born, most breeders arrange a home visit from their vet to give the puppies and their mum a general check-up. While you’re seeing your vet, they will be able to recommend when to begin worming. Most breeders begin worming their puppies from around two weeks old and continue to worm them regularly until they go to their new homes. There are different drugs used in different ways and your vet will be able to give you an appropriate drug and a suitable regime.
When can new-born puppies have visitors?
It’s tempting to show off your new-born puppies to visitors, but it’s also important that you keep the litter safe. Visitors can carry viruses, bacteria or parasites on their hands or shoes, which can be a risk to your puppies until they have been vaccinated and wormed. Initially, visitors should be kept to a minimum. They should remove their shoes before going into the room that the puppies live in, and they must wash their hands before touching them.
When do you take newborn puppies to the vet?
Even though their mother does a fantastic job of caring for her litter (feeding, cleaning, keeping them warm etc.), it’s still important for her and her puppies to be seen by a vet within 48 hours of giving birth. Many vets will do a home visit as this will be less stressful than taking the puppies to the vet. Seeing the vet is not only an important part of their health care but can play a part in their socialisation too. Getting used to being handled and cared for by a vet can make a big difference in how they react to vets in the future.
