Problems Associated With Orphaned Puppies

A litter of orphaned puppies could come into your care for any number of reasons associated with the mother. The mother may be deceased or unable to produce milk. Some mothers may be in a situation where they refuse or are unable to provide adequate care for their pups. Without a mother to provide this critical care, a newborn puppy foster parent will assume many of their duties, such as developing a newborn puppy’s feeding schedule.

What to Feed Your Newborn Foster Puppy Without a Mother

When feeding orphaned puppies, a puppy milk replacer may provide sufficient water with the recommended dilution. A milk replacer for puppies is also recommended because it provides the nutrients that would normally be found in mother’s milk. Check the label to ensure the nutrients include crude protein, fat and lactose.

How Often Should You Feed Your Foster Puppy?

If you’re wondering, “ How often do newborn puppies eat?”, milk for a puppy less than two weeks of age should be fed every two to three hours. If the puppy is older than two weeks, they should be fed four to five meals per day.

Newborn Puppy Feeding Schedule

Caring for puppies from birth to eight weeks involves close monitoring of how much they’re eating. To learn just how often you should feed a newborn puppy, the feeding chart below will help you identify when and how often to adjust the feeding schedule as the puppy ages.

How Much Should You Feed Your Foster Puppy by Weight?

Refer to the feeding guidelines on the commercial milk replacers. They should detail the total daily volume to be fed per day.

N ewborn Puppy Care Week by Week

Your commitment to orphaned puppy care during their first eight weeks of life is vital to their survival. Beyond their feeding schedule, you’ll also want to ensure you’re paying attention to other aspects of growth and development, such as weight and socialization. Below is another helpful guide to monitor the puppies’ health and well-being week by week.

Basic Medical Care for Newborn Puppies

Always keep a watchful eye on the litter to ensure they’re not developing health concerns. Once the puppies get to three weeks of age and can be handled regularly, look them over for signs of lethargy or lack of appetite. Note that if the puppies are orphaned, then they are ready to be handled regularly. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, puppy medical care is best handled by a professional. Consult a veterinarian or the shelter or rescue that’s sponsoring your foster care.

Socializing Orphaned Puppies

At three weeks of age, you’ll want to begin handling the puppies. Orphaned puppies should already be handled for basic care at this point. Not only does this help them get used to being picked up, it also helps with socializing puppies, allowing them to develop a comfort level with human interaction. In the coming weeks, you’ll want to introduce new textures, such as flooring. Experiment on soft textures, like the carpet, or hard surfaces, like wood or tile floors, but be sure to only experiment in environments where you can create safe and positive experiences.

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Guide to Caring for Your Newborn Foster Puppy

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