Maximum Safe Separation Time for Newborn Puppies

When puppies are born, they continue to rely on their mother for nursing to get necessary milk and colostrum. Since milk is their primary food source for eight to 12 weeks, their mother needs to spend most of her time with them. For the first couple weeks, the mother should be around her pups at all hours of the day to keep them fed and cuddled and within close proximity for up to 12 weeks.

Mother dog's health

The mother dog's health is just as important as that of the puppies. Postpartum, she will need more calories and rest to heal from birth. Making milk also uses a lot of energy, so be sure she is getting a healthy and balanced diet and always have fresh water nearby for her. Small, frequent meals are ideal for a nursing mother dog.

Instinctually, mother dogs usually want to stay close to their babies, so taking her away to clean her up after they are born or to go to a veterinarian may be upsetting. Your presence near her and her puppies may be comforting. Weaning puppies can begin three to four weeks after the pups are born but should be done very gradually, slowly introducing puppy formula and giving small amounts of soft, moist food, like baby rice cereal.

Mother and puppy nursing issues

If a dog is upset after feeding or if the mother does not want to nurse, there are underlying puppy nursing issues that may need to be resolved. The mother dog may have bacterial or fungal mastitis, an infection of the breast. She should be taken to the veterinarian for treatment if you notice redness, swelling, or milk production issues. Keeping the mother, puppies, and whelping area clean can also help prevent infections.

Postpartum anxiety and depression in dogs may also lower milk production. Watch for signs of sadness, loss of hunger, or disinterest in her puppies. If you notice these symptoms and they don't improve, contact your veterinarian.

Give the mother and her pups a whelping box — a small playpen area where the puppies will be born and that will keep everyone together in their early days. This can give mother dog comfort as well in knowing her young dogs are safe. You can buy one premade or make one yourself using aa large box. Add some comfortable bedding for warmth and support for the mother and her puppies.