Puppy Care : What You Should Know

Puppy care is multifaceted and includes environmental temperature, safety, health monitoring, vaccinations, deworming and socialization. During the first few weeks of a puppy's life, special attention needs to be paid to keeping the puppy warm and providing a quiet, clean environment. As the puppy grows, the ambient temperature should be gradually reduced and socialization training, such as regular potty breaks and learning of basic commands, should be initiated. Vaccinations and deworming are critical steps in preventing disease and should be done according to your veterinarian's recommendations.

How to Care for a Newborn Puppy?

Newborn puppies require extra care and attention, here are some key considerations.

• Keeping warm

Newborn puppies cannot self-regulate their body temperature, so they need to be provided with a constant warm environment. A heat lamp or hot water bag can be used to maintain the right temperature, and make sure the puppy has a clean, dry den.

• Feeding

Newborn puppies rely heavily on breast milk for the first few weeks of life. If the mother is unable to provide enough breast milk, she will need to be artificially fed special dog formula and fed using a bottle or small syringe. 

• Defecation training

Newborn puppies do not defecate on their own and need to be manually stimulated in the anus to assist defecation. A moistened cotton swab can be used to gently wipe the anus of the puppy, simulating the licking action of the mother dog. 

• Environmental hygiene

Keeping the whelping area clean is essential to prevent disease. The bedding needs to be changed regularly and the environment kept dry and hygienic. 

• Avoiding over-stimulation

Newborn puppies should avoid excessive human interference during the first few weeks of life to avoid stress or injury. 

• Monitor health

Closely monitor your puppy's behavior and weight gain to ensure they are healthy and growing. Consult your veterinarian promptly for any unusual symptoms. 

• Socialization Preparation

Although newborn puppies are not suitable for extensive socialization activities at this stage, you can start to gradually acclimatize them to the home environment and familiarize them with family members to lay the foundation for future socialization. 

How to Provide the Right Living Environment for Your Newborn Puppy?

Newborn puppies need a warm, safe and comfortable environment to thrive.

• Temperature Control

Newborn puppies have a poor ability to regulate their body temperature, so they need a constant warm environment. It is recommended to use an electric blanket or hot water bag to maintain the temperature in the litter and to ensure that the temperature is moderate to avoid overheating or overcooling. The ideal initial ambient temperature should be between 85 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit, which can be gradually lowered as the puppy grows. 

• Comfortable bedding

Your puppy's litter should be lined with soft blankets or cotton to provide a comfortable resting surface. The litter should be the right size for the puppy and have some height to prevent the puppy from climbing out. 

• Cleaning and Sanitizing

Keeping your puppy's living area clean is key to preventing the spread of disease. Bedding in the litter should be changed regularly and the litter environment should be cleaned with a safe disinfectant, avoiding chemicals that are harmful to puppies. 

• Safety Measures

Puppies are curious and may chew on small objects or wander into dangerous areas. Make sure all electrical cords, small parts and toxic substances are kept out of your puppy's reach, and use puppy-friendly furniture and decorations. 

• Monitoring Health

Regularly check your puppy's weight and vigor levels to ensure they are healthy and thriving. If you notice anything unusual, contact your veterinarian. 

How to Know if a Puppy has Lost Thermoregulation?

A puppy's loss of thermoregulation is usually characterized by a body temperature that is lower than the normal range, and is determined by the following criteria.

Temperature measurement: Use a thermometer to measure the puppy's body temperature. The normal body temperature of a newborn puppy is between 35 and 37 degrees Celsius. If the body temperature is lower than 35 degrees Celsius, it indicates that the puppy may be suffering from hypothermia. 
Behavioral observations: Puppies may show signs of depression, lethargy, weakness, trembling, and muscle stiffness. These behavioral changes may be outward signs of hypothermia. 
Physiological Reactions: Heart rate and respiratory rate may decrease and pupils may dilate, all signs that neurological function is affected in hypothermia. 
Ambient Temperature: Newborn puppies require a specific ambient temperature to maintain their body temperature for the first few weeks of life, and if the temperature of the puppy's environment is lower than its ability to maintain its body temperature, this may result in a drop in body temperature. 
Emergencies: If a puppy's hypothermia is accompanied by other abnormal symptoms, such as unconsciousness or coma, immediate emergency measures should be taken and a veterinarian should be contacted for treatment as soon as possible. 

The Proper Way to Measure Your Puppy's Body Temperature

Preparation tools: Use a special electronic thermometer or a soft glass thermometer and have the proper amount of lubricant, such as baby oil or petroleum jelly, to minimize discomfort.

Measuring site: The anus is the most accurate site for measuring your dog's temperature. Lubricate the tip of the thermometer before taking the measurement.

Inserting the thermometer: Gently insert the thermometer into your puppy's anus to a depth of about 1 centimeter, avoiding inserting it too deeply.

Wait for a reading: For electronic thermometers, it is usually necessary to wait 30 seconds to 1 minute. For glass thermometers, you may need to wait 1 to 2 minutes.

Take a temperature reading: Immediately after removing the thermometer, take a temperature reading. Normal puppy temperatures range from 35 to 37 degrees Celsius. If the temperature is below 35 degrees Celsius, hypothermia may be a problem.

Safety and hygiene: After taking the measurement, sterilize the thermometer using an alcohol cotton ball to avoid cross-contamination.

Precautions: Keep your puppy stable during the measurement and avoid sudden movements that could cause injury. If your puppy shows discomfort, stop the measurement immediately and consult your veterinarian.

What First Aid Measures Should I Take When My Puppy Is Hypothermic?

When your puppy becomes hypothermic, the following emergency measures should be taken immediately:

Increase the ambient temperature

Move the puppy to a warm room and close the doors and windows to maintain the room temperature.

Use warming tools

A hot water bag (keep the water temperature below 40°C) wrapped in fabric can be used and gently placed on the puppy to prevent burns.

Check breathing and awareness

Make sure your puppy is breathing well and check for consciousness. If the puppy is unconscious, do not force food or water on it.

Physical warming

Wrap your puppy in blankets or clothing to help bring his or her body temperature back up.

Emergency Medical Assistance

Contact your veterinarian as soon as possible and continue the above warming measures while en route to the veterinary clinic.

Monitoring Body Temperature

Use a thermometer to monitor your puppy's temperature to ensure that it gradually returns to the normal range.

Avoid rapid warming

During the resuscitation process, avoid any rapid rise in your puppy's temperature that could cause other health problems.

How to Deal with Newborn Puppy Poop Cleaning?

The following steps should be followed when dealing with fecal cleaning in newborn puppies.

• Prepare cleaning tools

Make sure you have enough diapers, wipes, waste bags, gloves, and disinfectant spray. These tools will help you clean up the poop more efficiently while protecting you from potential bacterial or parasitic infections. 

• Prompt cleanup

Newborn puppy poop should be cleaned up immediately to maintain a sanitary living environment. Use wipes or diapers to gently wrap the feces and place it in a garbage bag. 

• Disposing of poop

Seal the garbage bag containing feces and place it in a designated pet waste container or outdoor trash can. Avoid disposing of poop directly in the natural environment to prevent contamination of land and water. 

• Cleaning and Disinfection

After cleaning, thoroughly clean the area that has been in contact with the feces using a disinfectant spray or cleaner to eliminate bacteria and odors. 

• Pay attention to personal hygiene

After handling poop, be sure to remove gloves and wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water to maintain personal hygiene. 

• Monitoring Puppy Health

The state of your newborn puppy's feces can be an indicator of his or her health. Consult your veterinarian if you notice abnormal stool color, texture or odor. 

What Does a Puppy's Immunization and Worming Program Usually Include?

• Puppy Immunization Procedures

Puppy immunization is a critical step in preventing infectious diseases. Typically, puppies are vaccinated beginning at 6 to 8 weeks of age with a variety of vaccines including distemper, poliovirus, infectious hepatitis, and rabies. Vaccination schedules usually include multiple shots to establish complete immune protection. For example, a puppy might receive its first dose of DPT vaccine at 6 to 8 weeks of age, followed by vaccinations every 3 to 4 weeks until all basic vaccine series are completed. The rabies vaccine is usually given when the puppy is 3 months of age. 

• Puppy Worming Program

Deworming is likewise an important part of puppy care to prevent health problems caused by parasites. A puppy's deworming program usually begins at 2 weeks of age, then monthly until half a year of age, and quarterly after that. Deworming medications should be chosen based on the puppy's weight and health status and fed in strict accordance with the dosage instructions. Fasting should be done before deworming to increase the effectiveness of the medication and should not be fed within 3 hours after deworming. 

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Precautions

When performing immunization and deworming, make sure that the puppy is in a healthy state, without fever, vomiting, diarrhea and other symptoms. After vaccination, the puppy should be observed in the hospital for a period of time to prevent allergic reactions. About a week before and after deworming and vaccination, you should avoid bathing your puppy and taking your puppy outside to minimize stress and risk of infection.

FAQs

Why Do Puppies Need Special Ambient Temperatures to Maintain Body Temperature After Birth?

Puppies need special ambient temperatures to maintain their body temperature after birth because their thermoregulatory system is not fully developed. Newborn puppies are less able to thermoregulate and are unable to maintain a constant body temperature as effectively as adult dogs. During the first few weeks of life, puppies rely on their mother's warmth to maintain their body temperature, and once they leave their mother, they need an external warm environment to compensate for their lack of thermoregulation.

If the ambient temperature is too low, the puppy's core body temperature will drop, which may lead to a lower metabolic rate and weakened immune function, thus increasing the risk of illness and death. Therefore, it is critical to provide appropriate insulation for newborn puppies to support their early development and survival. As puppies grow, their thermoregulatory ability improves and their ability to adapt to ambient temperatures increases, and the temperature of the holding environment can be gradually reduced until the puppies are able to self-regulate their body temperature. 

How Soon After Birth Can Puppies Regulate Their Own Body Temperature?

Puppies usually begin to develop the ability to self-regulate their body temperature within the first 3 to 4 weeks of life. During this time, the puppy's thermoregulatory system matures and they are able to adapt to different ambient temperatures, no longer relying solely on external heat sources to maintain their body temperature. By 6 weeks of age, puppies have developed a more complete shivering reflex and thermoregulation, and are able to survive in a wider range of temperatures. Therefore, special attention should be given to providing a stable, warm environment during the first two weeks of life and gradually lowering the ambient temperature over the following weeks to promote the development of thermoregulation.

How Does a Puppy's Ability to Thermoregulate Gradually Increase as it Develops?

During the first few weeks of life, puppies have very limited thermoregulatory abilities and are largely dependent on the constant temperature provided by their mother. Newborn puppies have a low body temperature, ranging from about 34.5 to 36 degrees Celsius, and they do not have a shivering reflex to self-regulate their body temperature. Therefore, during this time, puppies require additional insulation, such as the use of incubators and electric blankets, to maintain an appropriate body temperature. 

As puppies grow, they begin to develop the ability to self-regulate their body temperature. At about 6 weeks of age, puppies develop the shivering reflex, which is a natural mechanism for increasing body temperature. At the same time, the puppy's eyes open at 10 to 16 days of age and the ears open at 15 to 17 days of age, and these sensory developments help the puppy to better perceive its external environment and thus regulate its body temperature more effectively. 

By 2 to 6 weeks of age, the puppy's body temperature rises to 36 to 39 degrees Celsius, approaching that of an adult dog, and by 4 weeks of age, the puppy's ability to regulate its temperature is approaching that of an adult and it is able to cope better with changes in ambient temperature. 

The development of thermoregulation in puppies is a gradual process involving multiple physiological and behavioral changes. During this process, puppies gradually learn to maintain a stable body temperature by adjusting their metabolic rate, increasing or decreasing their activity, and through the regulatory mechanisms of the skin. As puppies mature, they are able to handle changes in internal and external environmental temperatures more efficiently, eventually achieving thermoregulatory abilities similar to those of adult dogs.

When Should Puppies Begin Socialization Training?

Puppy socialization should begin as early as possible to help them build confidence and adapt to various environments and social situations. According to expert recommendations, the prime socialization period for puppies is around 3 weeks of age to 4 months. At this stage, puppies have little to no concept of caution and are very friendly and bold, making socialization training more effective at this time. The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavioral Veterinarians (AVSAB) recommends that puppies can begin attending socialization classes at 7 to 8 weeks in order to complete socialization before vaccinations are completed. 

During the socialization process, puppies should be introduced to a variety of different people, animals, sounds, smells, and environments to promote adaptability and reduce the potential for future fearful or aggressive behaviors. Puppies' socialization experience can be enhanced through positive rewards such as praise, affection, play and snacks, making them more open to new things. 

Therefore, as the owner of a puppy, you should begin to consciously socialize your puppy from the moment it arrives at your home, taking advantage of the various opportunities in your daily life to facilitate the socialization process.

When Does a Dog Stop Being a Puppy？

Dogs usually stop growing when they become sexually mature, and this point in time varies depending on factors such as breed, gender, genetics and nutritional status. Small breeds typically reach sexual maturity at 6 to 8 months, while large breeds may take 18 months or more to fully develop. Sexual maturity marks the readiness of a dog's reproductive system to reproduce, but somatic maturity may occur later, and somatic maturity is usually when a dog's body size and weight stabilize.

Prior to sexual maturity, dogs go through a phase of rapid growth, a phase that includes significant increases in body length and weight. After sexual maturity, a dog's growth rate slows and eventually stops, at which point their skeletal and muscular development approaches adult status. For specific breeds of dogs, the approximate time of cessation of growth can be estimated by referring to the growth curve and maturity standards of the breed. For example, small breeds such as Chihuahuas and Pomeranians may stop growing at 8 to 9 months of age, while large breeds such as German Shepherds may take up to 20 months to completely stop growing. 

Can Puppies Eat Adult Dog Food？

To ensure that your puppy grows up healthy, you should choose a dog food that is designed for puppies.

Conclusion

Raising a puppy requires time, patience, and a lot of love. By providing proper daily care, a balanced diet, and consistent training, you’ll set the foundation for a healthy, happy, and well-behaved adult dog. Enjoy the journey with your new furry friend—it’s a rewarding experience that will bring you both joy for years to come.