Orphaned Newborn Puppy: A guide to basic puppy care

Saving an orphaned newborn puppy is rewarding and challenging at the same time. Weak newborn care requires prompt and special attention in their early stages– be it taking care of their nutrition week by week or planning a diet chart as they grow up. While you can keep the puppy under the supervision of an expert veterinarian, here is how to get started immediately with your basic puppy care:

Start with Nourishment and Hydration 

Dehydration could become one of the major problems for a newborn puppy without a mother. Notice the two common signs of dehydration: loss of elasticity in their skin and dry, sticky gums. In this case, a puppy milk replacer becomes essential for the newborn for week-by-week nutrition. Pour the milk replacer into a baby bottle (or an eye dropper, in case of emergency) to feed the puppy. Their primary diet chart for this time is to be fed every two to three hours to maintain the nutrition in their body around the clock.

Maintain the Right Temperature 

Another step to weak newborn care is to know that puppies can’t control their body temperature and require the support of their mothers. Hence, when it comes to an orphan newborn without a mother, they need a substitute.  
A few examples could be warm blankets, heat lamps, hot water bottles, or any external heat source. Be sure to maintain a temperature of 85° to 90F (29.4° to 32.2°C) in the first four days and then gradually decrease it week by week.

Ensure Hygiene and Cleanliness 

Without a mother, it is critical to keep the newborn in the same clean and safe surroundings as its parent. Take a box and put out clean papers or newspapers flat over a towel to make comfortable bedding. Keep the box in a warm, clean, and safe location.

Change their bedding regularly and always wash your hands before touching or handling a newborn puppy. This is to prevent them from contracting any infections or diseases.

Stimulation for Elimination 

The mothers lick their puppy's genital areas to stimulate elimination. As a pet parent, every orphan newborn puppy needs stimulation in their genital areas for urinating and defecating for at least the first two weeks. You can gently massage the area using a moist cotton ball or cloth to help them in the process of elimination. This is done to avoid the puppy from becoming constipated.

Monitor for Other Health Issues 

A week-by-week monitoring of health issues is required for newborn puppies and mom. Hypothermia and hypoglycemia are two health problems that the new pet parents should keep in mind. During weak newborn care, you might notice them losing body heat faster than an adult dog, especially without a mother to take care of them. Hypothermia can be prevented by maintaining the right body temperature, as listed in the above steps.

For hypoglycemia (or low blood sugar), the puppy might seem severely depressed. A few other signs are muscle twitching and convulsions or seizures. This creates an immediate requirement for honey or a sugar solution that can be poured in small drops on the orphaned newborn puppy’s tongue. Contact for veterinary care immediately.

If a puppy is developing a bloated belly or blood in stools, it could be a sign of internal parasites. You can take it to the veterinarian for a stool test.

Socializing for Development 

Maintaining a diet chart and monitoring health is not where it stops. As a new pet parent of a developing orphan newborn puppy, there is great significance in providing emotional support and fulfilling their social needs for puppy care. Just like newborn puppies and their mom, you must spend time holding and cuddling them to provide warmth and comfort. Make them feel secure and loved with your gentle handling.

Introduction to Weaning and More 

Week by week, you can begin introducing the newborn soft, moistened food (like mixing milk replacer with puppy food) to initiate the weaning process.

Take your orphan puppy out for routine worming programs. For protective immunity, the puppy should be given its first vaccination between 6-8 weeks of age.

A diet chart that contains the utmost nutrition, plays a vital role in ensuring that the newborn puppy without a mother still grows and thrives in loving homes. Pedigree PRO ensures that a newborn puppy's nutrition is covered with their Pedigree PRO Growth 3 formula. For the small breed puppies, the formula is rich in quality protein, zinc & omega fatty acids, calcium, and vitamin D. These expert meals target their healthy growth, healthy skin & coat along with strong bones and teeth.

The larger breed variant of Pedigree PRO Growth 3 formula boosts digestive health using prebiotic MOS, healthy joints with Glucosamine & Omega Fatty Acids, and strong bone development through controlled calcium: phosphorus ratio.

Caring for orphaned newborn puppies is a profoundly fulfilling experience. 
With the necessary nutrition, care, and affection, your efforts make a significant difference in the lives of these precious puppies.