Puppies are cute little critters and oh, so adorable. If you have been diligent in caring for Spotty during her pregnancy, she is going to give you a healthy litter. Now that she has whelped her puppies, you have a new task ahead.

Caring for Newborn Pups

Newborn pups emerge with a thin coating of membrane. This is cleaned up by the mother to prevent her puppies from suffocating. You should be ready with the right implements to cut off the umbilical cord. Your vet can teach you how to do this or you can get an instructional video that shows clearly how the job is done.

When Spotty licks off all of the membrane, pick up the pup and dry it with a clean towel. Place the puppies in a box big enough to hold Spotty and all of her pups. Spotty will be spending most of her time in the box to nurse her puppies. This schedule will go on until the puppies are ready to explore the world around them.

Spotty should be fed the right food that would keep her and her litter healthy. If Spotty can't nurse all of her pups, feed the puppies with a nursing bottle. Your vet can give you useful tips for milk formula fit for puppies.

Keep Puppies in a Cool Warm Place

Puppies cannot regulate their body temperature. They should be kept comfortable, away from direct heat and cold. If the weather is chilly, they should be kept warm in a bed of old blankets or clean rugs. After ten to fourteen days, the little ones will open their eyes and try to walk around. You have to give them more space so they can move around yet stay close to their mother.

Hygiene

Puppies are cleaned by their mothers. New born puppies should not be bathed. Spotty's licking cleans them up. If Spotty licks her pups on the stomach, she is teaching them to go to the toilet after nursing. If the puppies get soiled with fecal matter, don't panic. Simply wipe it off with a dry rag or old newspaper.

The First Bath

Puppies are given their first bath on their eight week or as early as the seventh week. They should never be exposed to flea powder. It is indeed scary to give puppies their first bath but you can send them to a breeder's place for their first bath and watch how it is done. Puppy bathing kits are available in pet shops. Choose one that contains everything you need to give these little pups a quick but cleansing bath.

Train them to walk to their shower. If they are going to be big dogs, you can't keep them in a tub all the time. This makes it easier for you and the puppies.

Give Spotty a Break

Don't forget Spotty! When the puppies become mobile, Spotty will show signs of restlessness. She needs a break from all that mewling and tugging at her teats. Resume Spotty's regular walking tours but don't be too strict about the routine. Eventually, Spotty will resume her old familiar pace.