Best Practices for Feeding a Newborn Puppy: Essential T

1. Caring for a newborn puppy requires pet owners to understand that breastfeeding is crucial. Breast milk is rich in essential nutrients that are vital for a puppy's development. Since puppies' physiological functions are not yet fully developed, breast milk plays a significant role in building their strength and immunity, reducing the risk of infectious diseases. Therefore, it is essential for pet owners to ensure that their puppies receive adequate breastfeeding.

2. If a mother dog struggles with issues such as dysfunctional mammary glands, frail health, nervousness, endocrine disorders, obesity, or severe illness, leading to insufficient milk supply, the puppy cannot be fed naturally. In such cases, owners can opt for substitute milk products, like goat's milk powder. Goat milk has smaller fat globules, making it easier for puppies to digest and providing them with the necessary nutrients.

3. Puppies can start transitioning to solid food around 45 to 60 days of age. Given the rapid growth and high nutritional needs during their early stages, it's important to choose a specialized puppy formula. Ensure that the puppy food contains highquality animal protein to meet their growth requirements. Initially, puppies may not be used to solid food, so owners can soften the kibble before feeding it to their pets.

4. Puppies that have just been weaned may not adapt well to dry food, leading to vomiting and diarrhea. This is due to the delicate nature of their digestive systems, which lack sufficient enzymes like pepsin and amylase to break down the food. To prevent these issues, it's crucial for owners to select appropriate puppy food that caters to their delicate stomachs.

5. Newborn puppies may also be susceptible to parasites, some of which can be transmitted through the placenta or during breastfeeding. Common parasites include roundworms, whipworms, hookworms, tapeworms, and others. Around 20 to 30 days after birth, owners can begin deworming their puppies to protect them from these parasites.

To foster healthy growth in puppies, it is equally important for owners to schedule regular vaccinations. Vaccinations can start around the puppy's second month of life and help prevent a multitude of infectious diseases, ensuring the overall wellbeing of the dog.