Newborn Puppies: First Week Care Guide

 The first week of a puppy's life is the most delicate and important time. Newborn puppies are tiny, fragile, and completely dependent on their mother — and on you. Whether this is your first litter or you have done this before, knowing exactly what to expect and what to do during these first seven days can make all the difference.

When Bella delivered her puppies, I stayed by her side almost the entire first week. It was exhausting but also the most rewarding experience of my life. Here is everything I learned — and everything you need to know.

What Newborn Puppies Look Like

Puppies are born with their eyes and ears completely sealed shut. They cannot see or hear anything for the first couple of weeks. They are also unable to walk — they move by crawling and wiggling toward warmth and their mother's scent. This is completely normal and nothing to worry about.

Their umbilical cords will dry up and fall off naturally within the first two to three days. Do not pull or cut them yourself unless there is a medical reason to do so.

The Most Important Thing: Keeping Puppies Warm

Newborn puppies cannot regulate their own body temperature. This is called being unable to thermoregulate — and it means that if they get cold, they can fade and die very quickly. Keeping the whelping box warm is your number one priority during the first week.

The whelping box temperature should stay between 85 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit (29 to 32°C) for the first seven days

Use a heat lamp positioned safely to one side — not directly above the puppies

A heating pad on the lowest setting placed under half the bedding is another good option

Always leave one cooler area in the box so puppies can move away if they get too warm

Check the temperature inside the box every few hours with a thermometer

Feeding: How Often Do Newborn Puppies Eat

In the first week, puppies should be nursing from their mother every one to two hours. Yes — that often! Their tiny stomachs cannot hold much milk, so they need to feed constantly to grow and gain strength.

Watch each puppy carefully to make sure everyone is getting a turn. In larger litters, weaker or smaller puppies can get pushed aside by stronger siblings. If you notice a puppy that is not nursing, gently guide it toward a nipple and help it latch.

Signs a puppy is feeding well:

Gaining weight every day

Sleeping peacefully between feedings

Soft, rounded belly after nursing

Making little suckling sounds while feeding

Signs a puppy is not getting enough milk:

Crying constantly

Feeling cold to the touch

Losing weight or not gaining

Appearing limp or weak

Weighing Puppies Every Day

One of the best habits you can build during the first week is weighing each puppy every single day at the same time. Use a small kitchen scale. Healthy puppies should gain weight steadily every day — even a small gain is a good sign. If a puppy loses weight for two days in a row, contact your vet immediately.

Keep a simple notebook with each puppy's weight recorded daily. This helps you spot problems early before they become serious.

What About the Mother

While you are focused on the puppies, do not forget about mama! She is working incredibly hard — nursing, cleaning, and protecting her litter around the clock. Make sure she has:

Constant access to fresh clean water — she needs much more hydration than usual

High quality food available at all times — nursing mothers need extra calories

Quiet and privacy — limit visitors and loud noises around the whelping area

Gentle check-ins from you — but give her space to bond with her puppies

Watch her for any signs of illness too, such as fever, loss of appetite, or unusual discharge. Mastitis (infection of the mammary glands) can develop in nursing dogs and needs prompt vet attention.

Stimulating Puppies to Go to the Bathroom

This surprises many first-time dog owners — newborn puppies cannot go to the bathroom on their own! The mother stimulates them by licking their belly and bottom area after every feeding. This triggers them to urinate and pass waste.

If for any reason the mother is not doing this, you will need to step in. Use a warm damp cotton ball or soft cloth and gently wipe the puppy's belly and bottom in small circular motions after each feeding until they go. This is essential — puppies who are not stimulated can become dangerously constipated.

How to Handle Newborn Puppies

During the first week, handle the puppies as little as possible. The mother needs to bond with them, and too much human handling can stress her out. When you do need to handle a puppy — to weigh it or check on it — always wash your hands first and handle gently and briefly.

Never pick up a puppy if the mother seems anxious or upset. Always let her feel in control of her space.

Warning Signs to Watch For

Call your vet right away if you notice any of the following:

A puppy that cries non-stop for more than an hour

Any puppy that feels cold and cannot warm up even near mother

A puppy that is rejected by the mother and pushed away

Bluish or pale gums on any puppy

A puppy that suddenly stops nursing after feeding well

The mother refusing to care for her puppies

My Personal Experience

Watching Bella with her puppies during that first week was something I will never forget. She barely slept — she was constantly nursing, licking, and nudging her babies into position. I weighed each puppy every morning and kept notes in a little diary. Every small weight gain felt like a victory.

There was one tiny puppy in the litter who struggled to nurse in the beginning. I spent hours gently guiding her to latch, keeping her warm, and checking on her through the night. By day four she was nursing confidently on her own. That little girl turned out to be the most energetic puppy of the whole litter!

Final Thoughts

The first week with newborn puppies is intense, emotional, and absolutely beautiful. Stay close, stay observant, and trust your instincts. Your mama dog knows what she is doing — your job is to support her, keep the environment safe and warm, and step in when she needs help.

You are not just a dog owner anymore. You are a dog grandparent — and that is a very special thing.

For more guides on puppy care and dog pregnancy, keep exploring PawMama!

My dog Bella is such a wonderful and loving companion. During her pregnancy, I noticed how she became even more gentle and trusting. Watching her settle into the whelping box I had built for her was one of the most touching moments I have experienced as a dog owner. She sniffed every corner, circled around a few times, and then lay down peacefully — as if she knew this was her safe place.

Building that box for her did not take much time or money, but it gave her exactly what she needed — security, warmth, and a space that was truly hers. If you are preparing for your dog's delivery, please do not skip this step. Your dog cannot ask for what she needs, but she trusts you completely to provide it.

That trust is the most beautiful thing about being a dog mama.