Newborn puppies look fragile — eyes sealed shut, ears flopped over, crawling around making tiny squeaky noises. And they are fragile, in the sense that the first two weeks are the most critical period of their lives. But with the right knowledge, you will not just keep them alive — you will set them up for healthy development.
They were so tiny. Eyes sealed shut. Ears flopped over. Crawling around making little squeaky noises. You worry that one wrong move and they will not make it.
Over time I learned: puppies are tougher than they look — as long as you give them what they actually need. Get the first few weeks right, and everything after that gets a whole lot easier.
The First Two Weeks — Let Mom Do the Heavy Lifting
If the mother is around and healthy, you do not need to do much in the first two weeks. She handles the feeding, cleaning, and warming. Your job is mostly watching and helping where needed.
Temperature control: Newborns cannot regulate their own body heat. During the first week, the whelping area should stay at 85°F to 90°F. Week two, drop it to 80°F to 85°F. By week four, you can gradually bring it down to room temperature.
Put a heating pad under one side of the box, covered with a towel, so puppies can move closer or further away as needed. If they are all piled up and crying, they are cold. If they are spread out at the edges panting, they are too warm.
Weigh them daily: Pick a set time each day and weigh each puppy. Healthy ones gain weight every single day. If a puppy does not gain for two days in a row, or loses weight, that is a sign to pay closer attention — you might need to supplement feed or call the vet.
Help them eliminate: Mother dogs usually lick the puppies’ bellies and rear ends to stimulate them to pee and poop. If she is not doing it enough, you can step in. Use a warm, damp cotton ball or soft cloth and gently rub those areas until they go. Do this after every feeding.
If Mom Is Not Around — Hand-Raising Takes Work
Sometimes you have to step in fully — if the mother is sick, not producing enough milk, or if the puppies were abandoned.
Use the right milk replacer: Do not use cow’s milk or goat’s milk. The nutrition is all wrong. You need a commercial puppy milk replacer, mixed exactly as the package says.
Bottle and nipple: Use bottles and nipples made for puppies. When feeding, let the puppy lie on their stomach with their head slightly raised, mouth on the nipple, sucking naturally. Do not feed them on their back — they can choke or get milk in their lungs.
How much to feed: The amount depends on the puppy’s weight and age. Check the feeding chart on the milk replacer package, weigh your puppy, and follow the recommended milliliters per feeding for their age.
How often to feed:
- 1 to 2 weeks old: every 2 to 3 hours, including through the night
- 3 to 4 weeks old: every 4 hours
- From 4 weeks onward: gradually reduce feeding frequency and start introducing weaning foods
Temperature of the milk: The formula should be around 100°F to 102°F. Test a drop on the inside of your wrist — it should feel warm, not hot or cold.
Weaning — Moving from Milk to Solid Food
Around 3 to 4 weeks, puppies start showing interest in solid food. This is natural — mothers also start pulling away from nursing, which is your cue to start the transition.
How to start: Soak puppy kibble in warm water or milk replacer until it forms a soft mush. Put it in a shallow dish and gently guide the puppies’ noses toward it. They will start licking and tasting. At first, most of it ends up on their feet and faces — that is part of the learning process.
How long it takes: Weaning usually takes 2 to 4 weeks. By 6 to 8 weeks, puppies should be fully on solid food.
How many meals per day: During weaning, feed 4 to 5 small meals a day. As their digestive system matures, you can drop the number of meals and increase the portion size per meal.
Warmth and Sleeping Setup
Puppies sleep most of the time — over 20 hours a day. They are not being lazy. That is when all the growing happens.
A proper sleeping area: A shallow box or whelping pen with low sides. Line it with non-slip bedding — towels or puppy pads work well. Avoid thick fluffy bedding that could trap a puppy’s head. Keep the bedding warm enough, but not so deep that they cannot move around easily.
Where to put it: A quiet, warm spot away from direct sunlight and heavy foot traffic. Keep noise and vibrations low.
Watching for Problems — Read What the Puppy Is Telling You
Newborns cannot tell you when something is wrong. But their body and behavior will.
Signs to watch for:
- Weak or unusual crying
- Not latching or nursing properly
- Body feels too cold or too hot
- Weight loss or no gain for two days
- Belly looks bloated or feels hard
- Diarrhea or vomiting
If you see any of these, call the vet. Do not wait.
Final Thoughts
Raising newborn puppies is not about doing a lot. It is about doing the right things at the right time. Let the mother do what she is built to do. Step in only when you need to, and do it the right way.
Get the temperature right from day one. Weigh them daily. Feed on schedule. Watch more than you fuss.
If you have a litter coming, or you just brought one home, remember — you do not need to get everything perfect at once. Start with warmth and feeding. Get those two things stable, and everything else has a foundation to build on.