​What Do Newborn Dogs Need?
What Do Newborn Dogs Need?
If you're bringing a new puppy home, there are several things you need to keep in mind. These include a warm bed, blankets, lights, food, and water. A flashlight is also useful to check on your pup during labor. Also, keep the phone number of your veterinarian handy so that you can call him in case of an emergency. During the first few days after the arrival, you should avoid moving your dog around too much.
Warm blankets
Dogs like warm blankets. Their short coats make them susceptible to cold. Some blankets are waterproof, while others are made from soft materials like microfleece. There are countless options on the market. You can also buy blankets made from sherpa or microfleece, but remember to wash them when they get dirty. Your dog's health depends on it. If you choose the wrong blanket, your pup could get sick or even die!
Warm lights
Providing a warm light for your puppy is a great idea for the first week of life. Newborn puppies cannot regulate their body temperature on their own, and need the help of their humans and dam to maintain the appropriate temperature. If the temperature is too cold, your puppy won't be able to get enough nourishment or sunning. Eventually, this can lead to rapid deterioration and death. If you're unsure if warm lights are right for your puppy, here are some tips:
Warm food
A new puppy will need a warm environment to stay healthy, and this is especially true when the pups are still very young. A newborn dog will need warm food and water at all times, and its body temperature is typically eighty to ninety degrees. The temperature is best maintained around eighty to ninety degrees during the first few days, and then should be lowered to seventy degrees by the end of the first week. Warm food for newborn dogs should be served at least once a day and be offered to the puppy regularly.
Warm water
One of the most basic things a new dog owner can do is provide warm water for their pup. Newborn pups cannot go to the bathroom on their own and need stimulation to help them eliminate waste. Mothers lick their pups, stimulating the nerves and muscles that stimulate elimination. Warm water simulates this process. This is particularly helpful if the dog is orphaned or has not had the opportunity to experience mother licking.
Help to go to the bathroom
Infant pups need help going to the bathroom until they reach a certain age. Most puppies under three weeks of age require help eliminating. But even older pups can have trouble eliminating if their diets are too low in fiber, or if they have underlying medical problems, such as spinal diseases or central nervous system disorders. This means that it is important to provide immediate relief for your pup. But what should you do if you notice signs of incontinence in your pup?
Immunizations
The first vaccination your puppy should receive is the rabies booster. This is an important booster to protect your dog against several common diseases. The puppy has a limited immune system because its antibodies come from its mother. Although the mother's milk contains protective antibodies, the pup's immune system is not yet mature enough to produce antibodies to ward off disease. This means that a puppy needs to receive additional vaccinations to ensure proper immunity.
Deworming medication
A vet can only give your puppy a worming medication after she has been vaccinated. This is because most puppies are born with roundworms, even if they are already wormed and healthy. However, there are a few steps you can take to ensure that your puppy is completely worm-free when it is a puppy. Deworming medicine for newborn dogs should be given at regular intervals, preferably every three months.
