How to Treat an Orphaned Puppy

Sometimes, when a mother dog doesn’t bond with her puppy or becomes injured, a dog will become orphaned. These puppies are very vulnerable and need someone to step in and take over their care. They may have certain needs most puppies don’t have because they aren’t with their mother. Here’s how to treat an orphaned puppy and prove yourself an effective surrogate.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Evaluate the puppy’s condition. Notice if he looks undernourished, is lacking muscle tone or cries excessively. Write down the symptoms to discuss with a vet.

2. Make an appointment with the vet immediately. Because orphaned puppies are typically undernourished, they should be examined right away. This will help identify any health issues or problems.

3. Design a strategy for care with the vet. If the puppy’s body temperature is low, the vet will take steps to raise it. The animal may also be very dehydrated, which will require fluids to be administered. It’s also advisable that an orphaned puppy be tube-fed with special formula designed for this situation.

4. Create a care log for your puppy. Keep a daily log to record the animal’s appetite, weight and the frequency with which she goes to the bathroom. Discuss any changes in this log with your vet to evaluate your puppy’s progress.

5. Create a comfortable place for the dog to rest. Provide soft blankets and heating pads in your puppy’s crate. Wash the bedding frequently to minimize additional health concerns.

Tips & Warnings

• Administer a milk supplement as directed. The vet should provide feeding instructions based on your puppy’s age and weight. Follow those instructions closely and contact the vet with any concerns.
• If you have other dogs in the home, watch them closely around the puppy. While most dogs will be perfectly fine, others may sense the puppy’s weakness, which could put him at risk.

Resources

• PetPlace on orphaned puppies

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