Newborn Puppy Care: The First Two Weeks
The first two weeks of a puppy's life are a fragile, rapid period. Newborns are born deaf, blind and unable to control their body temperature, and they depend completely on their mother and on you for a safe environment. Most litters do well when the basics are right, and knowing what normal looks like helps you act fast when something is not.
What a newborn puppy is like
A newborn puppy spends most of its time sleeping and nursing. It crawls using its front legs, finds the mother by scent and warmth, and squeaks softly when searching. Its eyes are sealed shut, its ear canals are closed and its sleep is often twitchy, which is normal. A healthy newborn feels warm and plump, has a strong suckle and settles quietly after a feed. A puppy that cries continuously or drifts away from the litter needs attention.
Keeping the nest warm
Temperature control is the biggest safety issue. Puppies cannot shiver properly for the first couple of weeks, so chilling is a real risk and it can happen quickly.
- Target warmth: Many vets suggest the nest area stays at roughly 29 to 32 degrees Celsius (85 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit) in the first week, then gradually lower in the following weeks. Ask your vet for advice for your litter.
- Use safe heat sources. Heat lamps must be placed carefully, and heating pads need a layer of fabric and a cooler area so puppies can move away. Avoid direct contact with hot surfaces.
- Prevent drafts. Use a whelping box with raised edges and keep it away from doors and windows.
- Avoid overheating. Puppies that pant, spread out or move away from each other are too hot.
- Check often. A puppy that feels cold or is separated from the litter should be warmed gradually and a vet called.
Nursing and colostrum
In the first day, puppies receive colostrum, the first milk, which carries antibodies from the mother. This early feeding is essential. Watch that every puppy latches and feeds, particularly weaker or smaller ones. Rotate puppies to the best nipples if the litter is large, and call your vet if any puppy cannot nurse. If the mother is not producing milk or is rejecting puppies, see our guide to caring for orphan puppies.
Weigh daily
Birth weight varies by breed, so what matters is the trend. Healthy puppies usually gain weight every day, and many double their birth weight in roughly ten to fourteen days.
- Weigh each puppy at the same time each day on a kitchen scale in grams.
- Record the weights in a notebook with the date.
- Mark puppies with a safe, removable identifier such as colored ribbons or nontoxic marks.
- Contact your vet if a puppy loses weight or fails to gain over a day.
Our guide on how to tell if a newborn puppy is healthy goes through the daily checks in detail.
Hygiene
- Keep bedding clean and dry, changing it daily or when soiled.
- Wash your hands before and after handling puppies.
- Limit visitors in the first weeks, because infections can spread quickly through young puppies.
- Keep the mother clean and her teats free of dried discharge.
- Do not bathe puppies unless advised by a vet.
Toileting
Mothers usually stimulate puppies to pee and poop by licking. If the mother is absent, you will need to do it yourself. See our guide on how to stimulate a newborn puppy to pee and poop.
Handling and early neurological stimulation
Handle puppies gently, supporting the whole body, and keep sessions short. Many breeders do brief, gentle handling daily from a few days of age to get puppies used to people. Always avoid anything stressful or prolonged, and put puppies back with the mother quickly.
Looking after the mother
The mother needs plenty of quality food and fresh water, a quiet place and access to her puppies. Watch for signs of trouble, such as fever, loss of appetite, foul discharge, hot or painful teats, or lethargy, and call your vet.
When to call the vet
Seek advice if you notice:
- A puppy that will not nurse or cannot latch
- Constant crying or restlessness
- Cold body or limpness
- Weight loss or no gain
- Diarrhea, bloating or vomiting
- Discharge from the eyes or navel
- Laboured breathing
Newborns can decline in hours, so do not wait.
What happens next
At around two weeks the eyes and ears begin to open, and puppies become more active. By three to four weeks weaning begins, which is covered in our guide to weaning puppies onto solid food.
The takeaway
Warmth, nursing, cleanliness and daily weighing are the pillars of newborn care. Watch closely, act early and lean on your vet whenever you are unsure.
Frequently asked questions
How often do newborn puppies nurse?
Very often, usually every one to three hours around the clock in the first days, with the mother staying close.
When do newborn puppies open their eyes?
Eyes usually open at around ten to fourteen days, and ears begin to open at about the same time.
Should I weigh newborn puppies?
Yes. Weigh them at the same time daily, because steady gain is the clearest sign they are feeding well.
Can I touch newborn puppies?
Yes, gently and briefly with clean hands. Most mothers accept it, but be calm and avoid disturbing a nervous mother.