10 Essential Tips for Hand Rearing a Litter of Puppies

1. When Hand Rearing May Be Necessary

Hand-rearing a litter of puppies is a time-consuming and challenging task, often undertaken when the mother dog is unable or unavailable to nurse her puppies. This may be due to illness, death, or rejection of the litter. Sometimes supplemental feeding is also needed for large litters where the mother’s milk is insufficient, or when smaller pups require extra attention to thrive. Given the demanding nature of hand rearing, finding a foster bitch who has recently whelped is ideal, as she can provide natural maternal care and social learning that humans cannot replicate. You can search for a foster bitch through your vet, breed clubs, or pet forums, making sure all arrangements are responsibly handled to promote the welfare of all animals involved.

2. Importance of Colostrum and Immune Support

Colostrum, the first milk produced by the mother in the first 24 hours after birth, is rich in antibodies crucial for puppy immunity. Ideally, puppies receive colostrum before hand rearing begins. If not, veterinary advice should be sought promptly. In some cases, oral or injectable blood serum or plasma from healthy dogs may be given to provide these vital antibodies. Puppies without colostrum are more vulnerable to infections, so careful monitoring and cleanliness are critical to their health.

3. Assisting Puppies with Elimination

Newborn puppies need stimulation to urinate and defecate, a job normally performed by their mother. When hand rearing, gently massage the anus and genital areas with warm, damp cotton pads after each feeding to encourage elimination. Monitor stool quality closely; normal stools are sticky but firm. Loose stools require immediate veterinary advice, as dehydration can quickly develop. By around three weeks, puppies will start to eliminate independently but may still need cleaning assistance for a while.

4. Feeding With Appropriate Puppy Formula

Use a specially formulated puppy milk replacer, easily reconstituted with water, warmed to body temperature. Feeding should be done with a suitable bottle and teat designed for puppies rather than a syringe to reduce the risk of aspiration pneumonia, a dangerous lung condition. Always position puppies stomach-side down during feeding, never upside down or with their heads over-extended. Follow feeding volumes carefully according to age and weight, and avoid overfeeding. In the first week, feed every two hours, slowly extending intervals as puppies grow, and introduce liquidised solid food at around three to four weeks. Equipment hygiene and milk storage are key to preventing illness.

5. Enlist Help for Intensive Care

Hand-rearing is highly demanding: feeding every few hours, cleaning, burping, bathing, worming from two weeks, and constant health monitoring requires a team if possible. Helpers not only share the workload but also bring fresh eyes to spot early signs of problems, improving outcomes for the puppies and reducing stress for carers.

6. Providing Safe, Warm Accommodation

Keep puppies in a quiet, secure area away from household pets. Use easily cleaned bedding such as fleece, free from loose threads or hazards. Provide a heat source like a heat pad placed at one side so puppies can move away if too warm. Temperatures should start around 29-30°C for newborns and gradually reduce to room temperature by four weeks. Maintain humidity between 55-65% to prevent dehydration and respiratory issues. Offering a soft toy for comfort mimics the presence of siblings and mother, providing warmth and companionship.

7. Temperature Regulation and Environmental Conditions

Newborn puppies cannot regulate their body temperature until about two weeks old, lacking a shivering reflex. Avoid chilling by carefully managing the environment temperature and warm pups slowly if cold. Monitoring ambient temperature and humidity is essential to maintaining puppy health and preventing thermal stress or dehydration.

8. Monitoring Health and Development Closely

Daily monitoring includes weighing puppies at the same time each day to ensure steady growth. Check mucous membranes for colour and hydration, as these are early indicators of health issues. Know normal ranges for rectal temperature (starting at 35.6-36.1°C at birth and rising to 37.8°C by one week), respiratory rate (8-18 breaths per minute at birth, increasing to 12-35 by two weeks), and heart rate (120-180+ beats per minute at birth) to spot abnormalities early. Prompt veterinary consultation is vital if concerns arise to maximise survival and health.

9. Supporting Socialisation and Comfort

Social learning is important even for hand reared litters. While humans can meet physical needs, foster bitches or interactive toys help puppies develop bite inhibition, learn social cues, and prevent behavioural issues. Encouraging gentle play and introducing new stimuli gradually prepares puppies for later life and adoption.

10. Regular Veterinary Advice and Responsible Ownership

Hand rearing should only be undertaken when absolutely necessary due to its complexity and risks. Maintain close communication with your vet throughout the process to manage health, vaccination and parasite control schedules, and any emergencies. Responsible ownership means ensuring puppies are raised hygienically, fed appropriately, monitored closely, and socialised adequately to give them the best possible start in life.