How to Care for a New Puppy

Puppies are like human babies. They need tender care and are very subtle creatures. Giving them the care that puppies need is no different from taking care human babies. The minute a puppy is born until it is six months old, it can be very helpless and needs all the care in order for it to survive. A puppy should be fed four to six times a day if possible. Puppies needs to feed four times the amount of food that adult dogs feed on and it is in the food that puppies eat where they can grow healthy and gain weight and be old enough to care for themselves.

What happens when a mother dog can't care for her pups, died during childbirth, or can't produce enough milk for them all? Often these puppies be become orphaned and are picked up by humane organizations. If you are willing to work hard caring for a puppy, these new orphans can fill your heart with warmth. Be sure to begin with a visit to the vet so that he can get them started on all the right shots and feeding schedule.

Puppies are a lot of fun, but you must be very responsible as well. You'll need to establish a regular feeding schedule and begin to housebreak them immediately. It can be time-consuming, but if you can make this commitment, you'll have a lifelong friend. Puppies must be nurtured and socialized. Orphaned puppies will not have the benefit of natural milk, so nutrition will be very important to prevent diseases. Sanitizing the area where the puppy sleeps is also important.

Remembering all of the puppies needs will help you to make a realistic decision as to whether or not you truly have the time for a new puppy. An orphaned puppy will need to start out with either bottle feeding or tube feeding. Bottle feeding is usually the best option. Tubes can be risky to the puppy, as the tube can move into the lungs and cause choking. When bottle feeding, avoid choking by feeding the pup while it is on its' belly.

So what puppy formula should you use? It's a good idea to ask your vet, however Esbilac or Puppylac are widely used formulas. Cow milk, goat milk, raw egg whites, and honey should never be given to a puppy. Egg whites contain an enzyme that is dangerous for puppies, and honey can be fatal. Finally, you'll need to monitor the calories your puppy is taking in each day in order to keep a healthy weight. Begin with 60-69 calories per pound in week one. Then move up to 70-79 calories per pound in week two, 80-89 per pound in week three, and 90-100 in week four.