Understanding Puppy Physiological Traits for Proper Car

Initial Stages of Puppies: Physiological Characteristics

Newborn puppies are quite limited in their mobility, unable to stand and relying on crawling for movement. It typically takes around 20 days for them to gain enough strength to stand and take their first steps, and another 5 days to walk steadily.

They have not yet developed their temperature regulation mechanisms, lacking subcutaneous fat and having short fur, which makes them poorly equipped to regulate their body temperature and highly sensitive to external temperature changes.

Their digestive organs are underdeveloped, with incomplete digestive functions. Their stomachs are small, producing little stomach acid and digestive enzymes, which are also less active. However, these functions gradually improve as the puppies grow older.

Newborn puppies lack lactase, making them sensitive to lactose. Their intestines can directly absorb and utilize larger molecules of immunoglobulins, which are essential for their immune system.

Excretory functions are also underdeveloped, and they cannot fully control their bowel movements. They rely on the mother dog to stimulate排泄 by licking around the perineum. It takes about 16 days after birth for them to start controlling their excretory functions independently.

At birth, their ears are sealed and eyes are closed, rendering them deaf and blind. They rely on their sense of touch to perceive their surroundings and locate the only source of food: their mother's milk.

Newborn puppies grow rapidly and have a high metabolic rate, requiring more protein and minerals than adult dogs.

They lack innate immunity and rely on the mother's colostrum to receive maternal antibodies that protect them from external diseases. However, after 25 days, the level of maternal antibodies begins to significantly decline.

Daily Care for Newborn Puppies

Creating a Nest: Provide a warm nest for the mother and her puppies, placing it in a quiet corner away from drafts.

Temperature Regulation: Primarily rely on the mother's body heat for warmth, with additional methods as needed. If the mother frequently leaves the nest or shows poor maternal care, provide supplementary warmth.

Feeding: Ensure the puppies receive enough colostrum to gain immunityboosting antibodies and active substances from the mother's milk. In cases with many puppies, assist the mother in feeding them regularly to prevent weaker puppies from going hungry. Offer supplementary feeding in small, frequent meals, every 3 to 4 hours.

Excretion: Since excretion functions are underdeveloped, they cannot control their bowel movements. They rely on the mother's stimulation by licking the perineum. It takes about 16 days for them to start controlling their excretory functions independently. Regularly check the puppies' excretion status during daily care.

Common Diseases: Diarrhea, bacterial infections, changes in the mother's diet affecting milk quality, and exposure to cold can lead to illness.

Treatment: Administering Simeticon as the primary treatment, along with measures like feeding and maintaining warmth, can typically cure the condition.

Umbilical Infection: This is a common issue, and prevention is key:

(1) Keep the puppies' nesting area clean and tidy.

(2) Ensure the mother dog is also clean and wellgroomed.

(3) Disinfect the umbilical cord with iodine before it falls off to prevent infection.