Newborn babies of any species are incredibly adorable, and puppies are certainly no exception. The desire to pet and snuggle these little creatures can be strong. There is a common belief that touching newborn puppies may lead to their mother rejecting them, but is this actually true?
Handling newborn puppies should be limited, but it does not necessarily result in the mother rejecting them. In reality, veterinarians often need to handle puppies immediately after birth if the mother experiences complications or undergoes a C-section.
In this article, we will explore why minimizing touch with newborn puppies is important, situations where handling them is appropriate, and reasons why mother dogs might reject their puppies.
Why Newborn Puppies Shouldn’t Be Handled Often
Like all newborns, puppies are delicate and rely entirely on their mother’s care and protection. They are born blind and deaf and need help with feeding, as well as stimulation to urinate and defecate.
Newborn puppies struggle to regulate their body temperature and can quickly become too cold when separated from their mother’s warmth. Handling them may inadvertently expose them to dangerous cold conditions.
Additionally, newborn puppies require frequent feeding to maintain normal blood sugar levels. Their bodies cannot regulate blood sugar effectively until they are older. Excessive human handling can disrupt their feeding schedule, leading to low blood sugar levels, which can result in seizures and even death.
Since the immune systems of newborn puppies are not fully developed, they are susceptible to illnesses. Human contact or interaction with other animals can expose them to harmful diseases and parasites.
Research has shown that the quality of the bond between a puppy and its mother significantly influences the puppy’s temperament as an adult. As long as a mother dog is caring for her puppies and they are thriving, limiting human touch and handling is beneficial for their well-being.
When It’s Okay to Handle Newborn Puppies
There are circumstances where veterinarians and their staff must handle newborn puppies immediately after birth to keep them warm and fed until the mother can care for them.
Occasionally, you may need to briefly handle newborn puppies to ensure they are clean and healthy. Regularly weighing each puppy helps monitor their growth and feeding. Puppies that are not gaining weight appropriately might need additional nutrition through bottle-feeding.
Mother dogs, like all caregivers, require short breaks to eat and tend to their needs. During these intervals, you can check on the puppies, ensure their environment is clean and comfortable, and prevent them from getting too cold. Always handle newborn puppies with clean hands or gloves and keep them away from other pets.
Why Mother Dogs Reject Their Puppies
Unfortunately, in some cases, mother dogs may reject or harm their puppies despite human interventions.
Mother dogs that are stressed or unwell may struggle to care for their puppies and may reject them. Some mother dogs are highly attached to their owners and may not want to stay with their puppies if their owners are absent.
Natural instincts can also influence a mother dog’s behavior. In the wild, noisy puppies can attract predators, prompting the mother to protect herself by silencing the pups permanently. Mother dogs may also eliminate or reject sick puppies that are failing to thrive instinctively.
Young or inexperienced mother dogs, as well as certain dog breeds, may have a higher likelihood of killing or rejecting their puppies. Responsible breeders typically wait until their female dogs are mature, at least 2 years old, before allowing them to breed.
Conclusion
Breeding and caring for puppies is a significant responsibility that should not be taken lightly. However, touching newborn puppies does not automatically lead to the mother rejecting them. There are specific instances where handling the puppies is necessary. If a mother dog rejects her puppies for other reasons, you may need to raise them yourself, allowing you to spend plenty of time with the adorable puppies. Nonetheless, it is important to refrain from excessive interaction with the puppies until they are older to promote bonding with their mother and ensure their warmth and health.
See Also:
- Caesarean Sections in Dogs: Vet Approved Info & Care Tips
- Puppy Developmental Stages: From Birth to Adulthood (Vet Reviewed)
Featured Image Credit: arjunpeaceful02, Pixabay
