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In my lectures on canine neonatology, I often highlight the vital role of nursing in a newborn puppy’s life. The mother’s milk is more than just nutrition; it’s a lifeline, delivering essential nutrients and antibodies that support their growth and health. This natural process usually unfolds seamlessly, with puppies instinctively nursing and mothers willingly providing. However, when a puppy refuses to nurse, it becomes a source of considerable stress and worry for owners. It’s a situation that demands immediate attention and informed action. Through this blog, I aim to shed light on this critical issue, offering strategies and answers for those facing the challenge of a non-nursing newborn puppy. Here, you’ll find insights drawn from my experience in canine neonatology, guiding you on how to navigate and resolve this concern effectively.
- Understanding Normal Nursing Behaviors in Newborn Puppies
- Common Reasons Why Newborn Puppies May Not Nurse
- Assessing the Health of the Newborn Puppy
- Creating a Comfortable and Stimulating Nursing Environment
- Assisting the Newborn Puppy in Latching Properly
- Techniques for Promoting Milk Production in the Mother Dog
- Alternative Feeding Options for Newborn Puppies
- Tips for Monitoring the Newborn Puppy’s Progress
- Patience and Persistence: Dealing with a Newborn Puppy’s Nursing Challenges
Understanding Normal Nursing Behaviors in Newborn Puppies
Newborn puppies require proper and consistent nursing to ensure their growth and development. Understanding normal nursing behaviors can help address issues such as a puppy refusing to nurse, not latching, or not suckling effectively.
Normal Nursing Behaviors
I can never write this enough: understanding what’s normal in basic newborn puppy care is vital for their well-being.
Newborn puppies are basically born with an instinct to nurse. Indeed, nursing on their mother provides essential nutrients as well as antibodies (especially via the colostrum) necessary for their development.
Normal nursing behaviors include:
- Rooting: Puppies will nuzzle the mother’s abdomen in search of a nipple.
- Latching: Once the puppy has found a nipple, it will grab onto it with its mouth and begin to suckle.
- Suckling: Puppies rhythmically compress the nipple with their jaws and tongue to extract milk.
- Frequent nursing: Puppies will nurse 10-20 times a day, with each nursing session lasting 10-20 minutes.
It is important to note that not all puppies will nurse in unison or constantly. Some may nurse more frequently or for longer periods of time, while others may take breaks and nurse less frequently but for a longer time.
Common Nursing Issues
Despite normal nursing behaviors, there are common issues that can arise with newborn puppies:
- Puppy refusing to nurse: This can be due to illness (think hypothermia, hypoglycemia or dehydration – what I refer to as “the 3-H syndrome” – or bacterial infections), or inadequate milk supply from the mother.
- Puppy not latching: Puppies may have difficulty latching due to lack of experience or a physical issue such as a cleft palate.
- Puppy not suckling: Weak or lethargic puppies may not suckle effectively, leading to inadequate milk intake and poor growth.
It is important to detect and address these issues promptly to ensure the puppy receives the necessary nutrients for healthy development.
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Common Reasons Why Newborn Puppies May Not Nurse
There could be a variety of reasons why a puppy is not nursing, including:
| Reason | Symptoms |
|---|---|
| Illness | Puppy appears lethargic, or is showing signs of sickness (cold, difficulties breathing, seizures…). Always think Hypothermia–Hypoglycemia-Dehydration AND/OR Bacterial Infection first. |
| Inadequate milk supply from the mother | Puppy is not gaining weight, appears weak, or seems hungry after nursing. |
| Puppy is rejecting nursing | Puppy appears uninterested in nursing or actively pushes away from the mother while trying to nurse. |
| Stress | The mother is experiencing stress, restlessness, she seems not to know how to take care of her puppies. This is something to look for especially in primiparous females (females giving birth for the first time). |
If you notice that your puppy is not nursing, it is important to address the issue promptly in order to ensure your puppy’s health and wellbeing. This is why it is crucial that you monitor their nursing behaviour as quickly as possible after birth.
In canine neonatology, remember that preventing problems is far more effective than trying to cure them later; an ounce of prevention is truly worth a pound of cure. In some cases, it may be necessary to seek veterinary assistance to ensure that underlying health issues are not present.
Assessing the Health of the Newborn Puppy
As a concerned owner, one of the first steps in addressing a newborn puppy that won’t nurse is to assess their health. A puppy that refuses to eat or drink may be experiencing underlying health issues that require immediate attention.
#1 Check the puppy’s weight to ensure they are gaining weight properly.
You should do this right after birth (this will help you detect newborn puppies with a low birth weight, which are at higher risk for neonatal mortality). And you should then monitor this weight gain daily until 3-4 weeks of age. Rule of thumb: a healthy puppy gains weight on a daily basis. They should NEVER lose weight!
| Expert Tip: Today we also know that they should not grow too fast. This is where tools like neonatal growth charts come in very handy! |
| 👉🏽 I recommend starting with kitchen scales (like this one), but for serious accuracy, consider this lab-grade scale, perfect for tracking puppy weights up to 5kg. |
#2 Monitor the puppy’s body temperature as well, as newborn puppies are highly prone to hypothermia.
Check my recent blog on how to determine hypothermia and how to manage it in newborn puppies.
A rectal thermometer can be used to accurately measure the puppy’s body temperature.
| 👉🏽 To ensure accurate temperature monitoring, I recommend using a pediatric digital thermometer like this one or an infrared thermometer like this one for a non-invasive option. Both are fast, reliable, and essential for tracking a newborn puppy’s health. |
#3 Inspect the puppy’s mouth for the presence of clef palates or any signs of infection or injury.
A sore mouth can make nursing painful and difficult for the puppy. Check for any discharge from their nose or eyes, which may indicate a respiratory infection.
If you notice any signs of illness or infection, it is crucial to consult with a veterinarian immediately. Your veterinarian can provide guidance on how to address the underlying health issue and ensure the puppy receives the necessary treatment to recover.
| Check the following blog to see the full monitoring protocol I recommend for newborn puppies: Newborn Puppy Care: The A-to-Z of Nurturing New Beginnings. |
| Also, a very useful tool to assess a newborn puppy’s health right after birth are the APGAR scores. Those can be used during the first 8 hours after birth. Check my blog on the topic to find out how t o use their full power: The Neonatal Game-Changer: APGAR Scores for Puppies and Kittens. |
Creating a Comfortable and Stimulating Nursing Environment
When dealing with a newborn puppy that is not nursing properly, creating a comfortable and stimulating nursing environment is always essential. This is always one of the first things to address here.
There are several steps you can take to ensure that your puppy is comfortable and focused on nursing.
1. Ensure warmth: Puppies are unable to regulate their body temperature during the first 3 weeks after birth, so it is important to keep them warm at all times. Use a heat lamp or heating pad to maintain a warm temperature. For temperature recommendations, as well as heat source recommendations, check my blog on how to manage hypothermia in newborn puppies.
| 👉🏽Maintaining the ideal temperature for newborn puppies is crucial for their survival and well-being. There are different options available, including a heating lamp for evenly distributed warmth (like this one), a heating pad with adjustable settings for targeted heat (like this one), or a pediatric incubator, which offers precise temperature and humidity control (like this one). |
2. Ensure proper humidity levels: when optimizing the newborn puppy environment, one parameter to also always focus on is humidity. It is recommended to target a humidity level of 55±10% in the maternity. Having a small weather station to evaluate this parameter is important I think.
3. Provide comfortable bedding: Use soft, clean blankets or towels for the puppy to lie on while nursing. This will help keep them comfortable and secure. Important aspect: the bedding should be changed almost daily, it should always be kept clean to decrease the risk of bacterial infection, especially infections of the umbilical cord – which are very common in newborn puppies.
4. Minimize stress: Keep the nursing area quiet and minimize external stimuli. This is important to decrease the stress on the mother especially; because if she is stressed, she will not properly take care of her newborn puppies. If you are under the impression that “something” stresses the mother out, you must make it a priority to identify the source of stress and address it.
A recent study has demonstrated that the use of pheromones in the maternity, starting 7 days before whelping and continuing for 3 weeks after helped increase the maternal behaviour of the mothers. In my opinion, definitely something worth implementing!
| 👉🏽Here is the pheromone diffuser I recommend for dogs |
Assisting the Newborn Puppy in Latching Properly
One common issue that new puppy owners face is a puppy not latching or suckling properly. This can be a frustrating and concerning issue, but there are several techniques that can help ensure the puppy is able to receive the milk they need for optimal health and growth.
An essential step for newborn puppies is to drink as soon as possible the first milk of their mother, the colostrum. Find out more on this topic in this blog:
Colostrum Secrets: Boosting Puppy Immunity and Growth From Day One
Tip 1: Guide the puppy’s mouth towards the nipple
One way to assist the puppy in latching properly is to gently guide their mouth towards the nipple. Using your fingers, position the puppy’s mouth so that it is properly aligned with the nipple, allowing them to more easily latch and suckle.
Tip 2: Check for a proper latch
It is important to ensure that the puppy has a proper latch, as an improper latch can lead to discomfort and difficulty obtaining milk. A proper latch involves the puppy taking in both the nipple and the surrounding areola (the darker skin around the nipple) and using their tongue to compress the milk ducts and suckle effectively.
| Signs of a proper latch | Signs of an improper latch |
|---|---|
| – The puppy’s lips are flanged (turned outward) | – The puppy’s lips are turned inwards |
| – The puppy’s chin is touching the mammary gland | – The puppy’s chin is not touching the mammary gland |
| – The puppy is taking in both the nipple and the surrounding areola | – The puppy is only taking in the nipple |
Tip 3: Encourage active suckling
Another technique for helping the puppy latch and suckle effectively is to encourage an active suckling motion. This involves gently stroking the puppy’s head or back to encourage them to use their mouth and tongue to compress the milk ducts and obtain milk. You can also try gently pressing the puppy’s cheeks inward to encourage them to suckle more actively.
Techniques for Promoting Milk Production in the Mother Dog
When a newborn puppy is not nursing properly or refusing to feed, it could be due to inadequate milk supply from the mother dog. As a concerned owner, it is important to ensure that the mother dog is producing enough milk to support her litter. Here are some techniques that can help promote milk production:
| Technique | Description |
|---|---|
| Provide a nutritious diet | The mother dog’s diet should be balanced and include enough calories, protein, and fat to support milk production. This is key and it starts during gestation actually! Proper feeding during gestation ensures the mother is in the best conditions to properly produce milk. And keep in mind that lactation is THE most energy demanding life-stage. That’s why during lactation, it is recommended to free-feed the female (this is the only time you will EVER hear me say this!) and to feed her using a specific growth-diet. |
| Ensure regular feedings | Sounds obvious, the mother should obviously be kept with her newborn puppies, remember they nurse 10-20 times a day, so she should be allowed to nurse her puppies frequently. On top of that, this helps stimulate milk production and ensures that the puppies are receiving enough nourishment. Also, nursing leads to production of oxytocin, which appeases the mother and also helps clear the uterus from any debris and fluids remaining after whelping. |
| Use lactation supplements? | This is one I often hear about, people mention lactation supplements, such as fenugreek, saying “these can help boost milk production” in lactating dogs. I am not aware of any scientific study documenting the benefits of fenugreek supplementation in dogs during lactation. Using fenugreek in dogs during lactation is based on extrapolation from its perceived benefits in humans; however, scientific studies in humans have contradicted these beliefs, revealing that fenugreek supplementation offers no real advantages. There are medical treatments that can be used in veterinary medicine to stimulate lactation in dogs, however those are mainly interesting when dealing with a condition called agalactia (when the mother is not producing ANY milk). The key to stimulate lactation is really to focus on nutrition, as energy and water consumption are the main drivers to milk production. |
| Minimize stress | Stress can have a negative impact on milk production in lactating dogs. Minimize stress by providing a quiet and comfortable environment for the mother dog and her puppies. As mentioned earlier, pheromones are definitely worth implementing in the maternity (from 1 week prior to parturition, until 3 weeks after parturition). And remember the benefits of oxytocin secreted when the puppies are nursing! So this is definitely something important to focus on here. |
| 👉🏽For the first part of gestation (0 to 42 days), this is the diet I recommend for small and large dogs. For the second part of gestation and throughout lactation, this is the diet I recommend for small, medium, large, and giant dogs. These nutritional solutions are also available through a breeder program. Learn more about options in the USA and Canada. |
Alternative Feeding Options for Newborn Puppies
If your newborn puppy is not feeding or eating properly, it may be necessary to consider alternative feeding options. There are several options available that can help ensure the puppy is receiving the necessary nutrients for growth and development.
Puppy Milk Replacer
A puppy milk replacer is a specially formulated formula designed to provide all the necessary nutrients for a newborn puppy.
Very important: Stick to a specific puppy milk replacer. Goat’s milk or cow’s milk or human’s milk are NOT valuable alternatives in newborn puppies.
When using a puppy milk replacer, it is important to follow the instructions carefully and ensure the puppy is receiving the appropriate amount of formula. Overfeeding can cause digestive upset and lead to weight gain, while underfeeding can result in malnutrition and stunted growth.
Find out more on this topic in those two blogs I wrote:
Puppy & Kitten Bottle-Feeding: The Essentials
Why Goat Milk is No More A Valuable Alternative for Newborn Puppies
| 👉🏽 Here is the milk replacer I recommend in newborn puppies. It is also available through a breeder program. Learn more about options in the USA and Canada. |
Syringe Feeding
If the puppy is refusing to feed from a bottle or the mother dog, syringe feeding may be an option. This method involves drawing the milk replacer into a syringe and slowly administering it to the puppy.
When syringe feeding, it is important to use a small, flexible tip and administer the formula slowly to prevent aspiration or choking. The puppy should be in an upright position to ensure proper digestion.
Feeding Tube
In severe cases where the puppy is not able to eat or drink on its own, a feeding tube may be necessary. This method involves inserting a tube through the puppy’s mouth or nose and directly into the stomach, where the milk replacer can be administered.
A feeding tube should only be used under the guidance of a veterinarian, as it can be dangerous if not inserted properly or if the wrong amount or type of formula is administered.
Consulting with a Veterinarian
When you detect a newborn puppy that has difficulties nursing, if you see no other red flags (like severe lethargy and/or signs of infection), I’d recommend to start with the measures we just described… and give it 24 hours.
If after 24 hours of implementing these measures, you see no improvement, it is time to consult with your veterinarian.
Your veterinarian can help determine the underlying cause of the issue and recommend appropriate feeding options or treatments. In the words-case scenarios, intravenous (or intraosseous) fluidotherapy might be required to support the newborn puppy.
Tips for Monitoring the Newborn Puppy’s Progress
If your newborn puppy is not nursing properly or refusing to eat, now you have a better idea of which measures to implement to hopefully course-correct here… but you should not stop here. Monitoring is key! And it is important to closely measure their progress to ensure their health and development.
Here are some tips for doing so:
- Track weight gain: This is the best indicator you can use in newborn puppies in my opinion. Again, a healthy puppy gains weight on a daily basis. Weigh your puppy daily using a kitchen scale or a scale specifically designed for small animals. A healthy puppy should gain weight consistently, so a lack of weight gain or a weight loss may indicate a problem. And remember, now you can access neonatal puppy growth charts to help you better track this!
- Observe nursing behavior: Monitor your puppy’s nursing behavior, including how often they nurse, how long they nurse for, and whether they are latching and suckling properly.
- Monitor elimination: Keep an eye on your puppy’s urine and stool output. Remember this is a reflex stimulated by the mother during the first 3 weeks of life of the puppies; and the mother typically eats the newborn puppies stools so if she is doing a good job, you should almost not see anything. If you see something though, and if it looks a bit messy, it could be a sign there is a problem, like neonatal diarrhea for instance – which is never a good thing. Also keep in mind that if you are bottle feeding/syringe feeding/ tube feeding the puppies, you should replace the mother in doing this. To stimulate defecation and miction in newborn puppies, gently massage their perineal area with a lukewarm, damp cloth right after the feeding session.
- Watch for signs of illness: Look for any signs of illness, such as lethargy, diarrhea, constipation or difficulty breathing. Contact your veterinarian if you notice any concerning symptoms or if you have any doubt. Do not hesitate, as studies have shown that newborn puppies can crash quickly!
Patience and Persistence: Dealing with a Newborn Puppy’s Nursing Challenges
Dealing with a newborn puppy that is refusing to nurse or rejecting nursing can be a frustrating and worrisome experience for any owner. However, it is essential to remain patient and persistent in addressing the puppy’s nursing challenges.
Consistency is key when dealing with a puppy that is refusing to nurse. Stick to a regular feeding schedule and keep the puppy in a warm, comfortable environment that encourages nursing. If the puppy is struggling to latch or suckle effectively, try different positions or techniques to help them find a comfortable and effective nursing style.
Dealing with a newborn puppy that won’t nurse can be concerning, but with the right knowledge and guidance, it is possible to address the issue and optimize the puppy’s health and well-being. I now spend a significant amount of time on this aspect when I lecture on this topic... and I think it is for the better! It’s my sincere hope that the insights and tips shared here, along with the connected blogs, will empower you guys with the knowledge and confidence to effectively address these challenges. These strategies are not just advice—they are vital tools to optimize the health and survival of these vulnerable newborns. Remember, each step we take in enhancing our understanding and care for these little ones can make a significant difference in their lives. So use this knowledge to give every puppy the best start in life.
Takeaways
- Understanding normal nursing behaviors in newborn puppies can help owners address common issues such as puppies refusing to nurse or not suckling effectively.
- Assessing the health of the newborn puppy is crucial, including checking for signs of illness, dehydration, or malnutrition.
- Creating a comfortable and stimulating nursing environment for the puppy can encourage proper nursing behavior.
- Seeking professional veterinary assistance is important if the puppy continues to have difficulty nursing or refuses to eat, as underlying health issues may be present.
One of the most common challenge we encounter in breeding kennels is NEONATAL MORTALITY.
It can be very frustrating… even heart-breaking.
Good news though : you can do something about it !
We now have more knowledge than ever in this discipline.
In recent years, new research brought us a much better understanding of what can be done to optimize the health of newborn puppies.
By taking this course, this is what you will learn indeed !
DR. EMMANUEL FONTAINE 