How Soon Should Puppies Latch On After Birth?

The miracle of birth is an amazing thing to witness. As a new litter of puppies enters the world, many new pet owners eagerly await that special moment when the puppies begin nursing. But how soon after birth should puppies latch on to feed?

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Healthy puppies will usually latch on within 1-2 hours after birth. However, some may take up to 4 hours or more before beginning to nurse effectively.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about when puppies latch on after whelping, what to expect, signs of trouble, and how to assist the process if needed.

What Is an Ideal Timeline for Puppies to Latch After Birth?

Within the First Hour

Puppies should attempt to nurse within the first hour after birth according to the American Kennel Club (AKC). Suckling helps stimulate contractions in the mother dog to deliver the placenta and additional puppies.

The first milk, colostrum, contains vital nutrients and antibodies that provide a layer of early immunity against viruses and bacteria.

According to veterinarian Dr. I. Pitcairn, the sooner puppies nurse, the more likely the full litter will survive. Ideally, all puppies will nurse at least once within the first 4-12 hours after birth. The first milk sets the foundation for the puppies’ long-term health.

1-2 Hours Post Whelp

If puppies have not latched and nursed within the first couple hours after birth, the breeder may need to assist the pups. Gently picking up each puppy and placing its mouth near the mother’s nipples can stimulate their reflex to suckle.

According to the online resource PetPlace, healthy puppies will root around, crawling and squirming until finding the mother’s nipples and self-latching.

The mother may also lick the puppies to rouse them. If necessary, very gently open the puppy’s mouth and wiggle one of the rear nipples to trigger latching and nursing. Be patient, as some may take a bit longer if they are smaller or weaker.

Up to 4 Hours Can Be Normal

While sooner is better, some puppies may take 3 to 4 hours after birth to successfully latch on and nurse. Premature pups or those needing revival immediately after birth often need more time.

Assisting weak or non-latching puppies is crucial. Dip a cotton ball or gauze in warm milk replacement formula and gently rub it around the puppy’s mouth to stimulate rooting and swallowing after birth.

If a newborn puppy has not nursed after 4 hours, use an eyedropper to manually feed small amounts of puppy formula very slowly. Stop immediately if the formula bubbles back up or the puppy begins coughing and choking.

Contact a veterinarian if assisted methods fail after 6 hours. Puppies can only survive 1-2 days without any early nourishment.

Why Do Some Puppies Take Longer to Latch On?

There are a few key factors that can affect how quickly a newborn puppy is able to successfully latch on and nurse from its mother:

Size of the Litter

In large litters with many puppies competing for milk, the smaller or weaker ones may have trouble navigating to the teats and latching on. Having numerous littermates can make it very chaotic and difficult for some puppies to latch in a timely manner.

Health of the Puppies

Puppies born small or premature may lack the strength and coordination to crawl and latch on as efficiently. Certain birth defects, illnesses, or injuries can also impair a newborn puppy’s suckling reflex or mobility to locate the teats.

Experience Level of the Mother

First-time mother dogs often require more assistance from breeders facilitating the puppies to nurse. An inexperienced dam may struggle with positioning herself properly to allow the puppies to latch on.

Dams who have had litters before tend to instinctively lie in a better position and care for newborns more adeptly.

In most cases, puppies that do not latch on quickly after birth can be manually assisted to the teats and train the suckling reflex. However, puppies that go too long without nursing can suffer from dehydration and low blood sugar, requiring emergency medical care.

Vigilant observation and intervention is key to helping slower puppies get the early nourishment they need.

Signs of Trouble If Puppies Don’t Nurse

Missing Reflexes

Newborn puppies have innate reflexes that enable them to nurse and receive colostrum shortly after birth. These reflexes include rooting, sucking, and swallowing. Puppies that lack these reflexes or have weak responses may struggle to latch onto their mother to nurse.

This puts them at risk of missing those crucial early feedings of nutrient-rich colostrum.

According to the American Kennel Club, if puppies fail to nurse within the first 24 hours, they have a greatly increased risk of hypothermia, hypoglycemia, failure to thrive, and mortality. Veterinary assistance is imperative to get nutrients into the puppies through alternative feeding methods.

Low Birth Weight

Puppies that are born substantially underweight or smaller than average have more difficulty nursing effectively. Their smaller size can indicate developmental issues or complications from the pregnancy.

Low birth weight puppies often lack the strength and stamina to compete with their larger littermates for nursing access. These struggling pups must be closely monitored and supplemented with colostrum and formula to ensure they get adequate nutrition.

Irregular Breathing

Wheezing, gasping, coughing, or otherwise noisy and labored breathing can be signs of lung or respiratory problems in newborn puppies. These breathing issues can prevent them from nursing effectively.

Puppies with pneumonia or underdeveloped lungs often tire too quickly to nurse for sufficient time. They may not take in enough milk to accommodate their high caloric needs. Supplemental tube or bottle feeding under veterinary guidance is typically necessary.

On average, newborn puppies that fail to nurse adequately within 4-12 hours have significantly higher mortality rates. Therefore, recognizing the signs of ineffective nursing quickly is critical. Contacting a veterinarian for evaluation and assistance can greatly improve the chances of survival for struggling neonates.

References:

• https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/newborn-puppy-care/
• https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/dog-care-caring-for-newborn-puppies

Assisting Puppies Having Difficulty Nursing

Helping Them Find the Nipples

Newborn puppies can sometimes have trouble locating their mother’s nipples to nurse. This is especially common in large litters when there is a lot of competition for nursing spots. If you notice a puppy wandering around crying and not able to latch on, you may need to assist it.

Gently pick up the struggling puppy and bring it close to its mother’s belly near a nipple. Allow the puppy to catch the scent and root around for the nipple. You can also try gently guiding the puppy’s mouth to latch onto the nipple.

Be patient, as it may take some time and effort for the puppy to get the hang of nursing.

Check on the puppy regularly to ensure it is able to find a nipple and nurse. Supplemental bottle feeding may be necessary if the puppy continues having trouble. Contact your veterinarian for advice if you are concerned the puppy is not getting adequate nutrition.

Supplemental Feeding

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, a newborn puppy may be too weak or small to nurse effectively. In those cases, supplemental bottle feeding is necessary to supply the nutrients and calories the puppy needs to grow and thrive.

Use a commercial puppy milk replacement formula purchased from a pet supply store or vet clinic. Follow preparation and storage instructions carefully. Do not feed cow’s or goat’s milk, as this can cause diarrhea.

You will also need a small pet nurser bottle with a nipple and should only feed a few milliliters at a time.

Gently open the puppy’s mouth and insert the nipple, allowing it to suckle the milk. Go slowly and give time for breaks and burping. Expect the feeding process to be messy at first! With some practice, the puppy should get the hang of bottle feeding.

Weigh the puppy daily and track feeding amounts and energy levels. Contact your vet if you have any concerns about dehydration, weight loss/gain or formula intolerance. Most puppies need supplemental feeding for just a week or two before transitioning to nursing fully.

Keeping Them Warm

Ensuring newborn puppies stay warm is crucial during the first few weeks of life when they are unable to easily regulate their own body temperature. Exposure to cold can quickly lead to hypothermia which can be fatal if left untreated.

Ideally, they should be housed in a warm, draft-free area in close contact with their mother and littermates. The ambient air temperature should be maintained between 85-90°F. You can provide supplemental heat with a heat lamp directed over the whelping area, out of reach of the puppies.

Weigh the puppies twice per day and monitor their temperature with a rectal thermometer. Normal temperature is 95-99°F. Contact your veterinarian immediately if you notice lethargy, crying, coolness to the touch or a temperature under 94°F which can indicate hypothermia.

With attentive supplemental feeding, assistance locating nipples and a nice warm environment, most newborn puppies who have some initial nursing difficulties can get back on track quickly!

When to Call the Veterinarian

Knowing when to call the veterinarian after a puppy’s birth is crucial for their health and survival. Here is some guidance on when a vet visit is warranted:

Not Nursing

Puppies should begin nursing almost immediately after being born. If a newborn puppy does not nurse within the first 2 hours, it is important to contact your veterinarian right away. Lack of early nursing can lead to low blood sugar and dehydration, which can be fatal if not addressed.

Labored Breathing

Some irregular breathing or coughing is normal right after birth as puppies transition to breathing air. However, if a puppy seems to be struggling for air or has consistent chest retractions, veterinary assistance should be sought as soon as possible.

This could indicate pneumonia, infection, or a birth defect affecting the lungs.

Diarrhea

It’s common for puppy stools to be somewhat loose at first. But watery, projectile, or bloody diarrhea in a newborn is abnormal and suggests an underlying health issue. Contact your vet promptly if you notice unhealthy stools to get treatment and prevent dehydration.

Failure to Gain Weight

Puppies should gain roughly 10% of their birth weight per day in the first week of life. Weigh puppies daily to monitor their progress. Consult your veterinarian if weight gain seems inadequate, as this may reflect an inability to nurse, diarrhea, infection and other concerns.

Hypothermia

A newborn puppy’s temperature should be 95-99oF. Feel puppies periodically to check that they are warm. If they feel cold and do not warm up when reunited with the mother and litter, call your veterinarian right away.

Puppies cannot self-regulate body temperature well and can die quickly from chilling.

In addition to the above urgent situations, it is a good idea to have your veterinarian examine new puppies within 24 hours of birth to check overall health and discuss vaccinations, deworming, and future wellness care.

While most puppy births go smoothly, complications can arise quickly. Knowing the warning signs requiring veterinary assistance can help keep newborns safe. Don’t hesitate to call your vet with any concerns about a whelping or new litter of puppies.

Conclusion

While most puppies will latch on to nurse within the first couple hours after birth, some may take a bit longer, especially in large litters. As long as the pup appears healthy, stirring and crawling towards the mother, a few more hours wait is normally fine.

But if you notice any signs of distress like labored breathing, low weight or lack of suckling reflex, be prepared to intervene with assistance and contact your vet. With attentive breeders guiding the process, the puppies should latch on soon for their first critical meals.