A Guide To Newborn Puppy Care

Hi! I'm Jamie Crittall from Beech House Veterinary Centre in Surrey and I'm here to talk to you about dog breeding. My guide to newborn puppy care. Once your bitch has had her puppies, for the first three weeks, they really act as one unit.

She provides absolutely everything that they need: food, water, warmth, even keeping them clean by sort of tidying them up and urging them to go to the loo and mopping up after them. She's going to be very protective but it is so essential that you do still interact with her, and even from the puppies because, at that stage, it's when they start to develop their socialization skills and by being calm and quiet, you can help with that. By the stage of, sort of day 10, 14, their eyes start to open and their hearing develops and this makes them a lot more interactive because they want to, sort of, meet their fellow siblings and they may be moving around the whelping box a lot more.

And, it's a lot more fun! From about week three, you might want to start worming them but do speak to your vet about their recommendations. Their nails will be getting quite sharp and it may be a really good time to start clipping them. And, then every week, keep a really close eye on them.

From about week four, you might want to start introducing puppy food. Again, your vet will give you really good advice on what food is best. For me, I think Hill's Puppy Food is absolutely essential and you might want to add a bit of water to the dry food or you may want to give them a bit of tinned food.

Your bitch needs to drink more and eat more because she is needing to provide everything for your puppies. And, remember, the litter may be huge! I think the world record is 24 pups for a mastiff so she's providing a lot of energy and warmth for her pups. .