Here are few basic essentials required while taking care of a newborn pet!
Becoming a proud parent of a pet is an out of the world feeling. Those newborn may look like the most charming creatures to play with, but they are also quite a handful when it comes to looking after them. Still there is no doubt that bringing a newborn pet into your home will be your best decision. It will shower you will endless love and when he/she looks up at you with those mushy eyes, you will know it’s all worth it.
The first months of your puppy’s life will go through an amazing transformation and will require you to stay on your toes! To avoid overwhelming yourself with the arrival of new family member, it is important to be prepared and keep those things ready that the newborn pet would immediately require at your home. Remember this may look like a difficult thing to do and may also get on your stress nerve sometimes, but our little fur-balls just require some love and support from us. You will soon experience how they bring a new meaning to your life.
How Often Should a Puppy Eat?
It is crucial to note the frequency of your newborn’s feeding. Puppies generally take feed at least every two hours in their first week of life. As they grow and become bigger, the intervals between feedings increase.
Feeding motherless puppies can be a little tricky job. Some puppies take a little longer time to get a hack of the sucking part of feeding. At around four weeks of age, puppies can begin to transition from nursing to eating solid food. When making this transition, consult your local vet and ask the kind of good your puppy can start having. Normally, a dry kibble can be soaked in warm water and milk replacer and blended to the consistency of a semi- solid. Your vet can also help in creating a long-term feeding schedule suited to the puppies’ development needs.
Bedding For Your Pet
One of the first things which should be ready when you bring the newborn to your home should be the bedding for the little one. To create a place where the newborn can rest, keep in mind that it should be a warm, dark and cozy space. This is essential because newborn animals find it difficult to regulate their body temperature, and require some kind of protection from extreme temperatures.
If the weather is too cold, It is recommended to use a heated pad beneath the bedding or set a heat lamp far enough from the bedding to avoid overheating the area. Just make sure your pup should stay warm at this tender age.
Feeding a Newborn Puppy
Feeding a new born pet can be a challenge. If you are taking caring for an orphan or the mother is not there to nurse the baby, then firstly consult with a veterinarian to guide you on the proper way to bottle-feed newborns.
The baby will need to be fed a commercial canine milk replacer. Take care to use one specifically formulated for newborn pups, as cow’s milk and other milk replacer can cause diarrhea. Newborns will need bottle or syringe feeding every few hours for several weeks.
Look Out For Any Alarming Signs Of Sickness
Time may seem to slow down when our pups are little and unable to do anything on their own. But, It is during this time when they need our attention the most. Young puppies are vulnerable to disease and infection, hence you would always have to keep an eye on them.
If you notice any type of abnormality in their appearance, behavior or health, then you should immediately contact your veterinarian to get your newborn checked. Some unusual warning signs to look out for include vomiting, not eating food, excessive crying and diarrhea.
Our little puppies are also especially exposed to fleas and other parasites, so talk to your regular vet about appropriate parasite control. Also, take care that you and all family members thoroughly wash your hands before interacting with the pup to help reduce the risk of getting infected from any bacteria that might be there on your hands.
Toilet Sanitization
Newborn pups don’t really know how to do their business. It is essentially the job of the mother who stimulates the pups to urinate and excrete by licking their genitals. In the case of an orphaned pup or the absence of a mother, you will have to stimulate his bladder and bowels.
Pups normally do their business after a meal. So few minutes after a meal, lay down the plastic sheet and arrange warm but not hot water in a bowl, cotton balls and some baby wipes handy.
Always Stay In Touch With Your Local Veterinarian
Since newborn pets are so delicate and vulnerable, it’s best that you stay in touch with your vet. Ask about the schedule for the pups’ vaccinations.
Also, while you are busy ensuring the good health of your newborn pet, always remember that they need your love, cuddle and playful time with them. Allow them to explore and expose them to as many new experiences as possible.
Last but not the least, Newborn canine friends do ask for a lot of care and work. It is also true that these initial steps demand a lot of time, but these first few weeks go by in a flash. Proper nutrition custom made to their specific developmental needs can help them grow from delicate young pup to strong, healthy dogs. There is no other better feeling when you see you pup grow healthier by day and night and you will have the satisfaction knowing that you gave your best shot.
