How to Take Care of Newborn Beagle Puppies – Our Ultimate Guide
The motherhood journey for your pooch is another chapter that you are yet to share with her. Beagles are intelligent, loyal, and social dogs that do not inherit many health problems. However, a newborn baby beagle puppy can be tedious to care for the first couple of weeks. Mother beagles need a lot of assistance from their fur parents while caring for their delicate litter.
If this is your first time, you probably have many questions and concerns to ask. More than anything, you want your baby beagle pup to grow up healthy and well. Unfortunately, the mortality rate of puppies is high during the first three weeks of their lives. This is also the stage where they cannot see, hear, or walk.
To help lessen your worries, let us break down the tasks on how to take care of newborn baby beagle puppies in this ultimate guide.
Prep a Warm Den
A private place for the mother and the baby beagles is essential to keep them comfy. A den should have amenities to keep your pooches warm. You will need a blanket, a heating pad, and some pillows for a comfortable nook. Build the den inside the house, especially during the cold weather, to protect them from freezing.
Female nursing dogs tend to keep their nests clean and sanitary. And it does include eating the pups’ poops when necessary! Although natural and normal, this habit is a bit gross and may be inherited by her litter. Thus, it is your job to keep the den clean by daily cleaning and bedding change.
Handle the Puppies with Care
It is not always necessary to interact with the mother and her litter after the delivery. Puppies are born with innate reflexes for their survival, such as nursing and keeping warm. Bitches will even clean her young ones after delivering them. So, restrict your interaction with them to avoid stressing out the puppies and their mother.
The least you can do is help the newborn nurse immediately after birth and relocate it to a tiny box. You can do this until she has safely delivered all her litter. The average litter size of beagles is about six per delivery. After which, you can transfer all the puppies back to be with their mother and allow them to nurse. Do not touch newborn puppies unless absolutely necessary, like when they are ill, pushed away by their littermates, or abandoned by their mother.
Keep the Puppies Warm
All puppies have trouble regulating their body temperature in the first stages of their lives. Thus, they need their mother’s body and littermates to keep them warm. Keep your newborn beagle puppies with their mothers in the same den during this critical stage. It will also be easier for her to feed the young ones until they eat solid foods at four weeks old.
During the cold weather, puppies will have a hard time keeping themselves warm. Baby beagle puppies do not have thick furs to protect them. Sometimes, their mom’s body heat may not be enough to compensate for the cold. A heated dog bed where you can control the temperature is a huge help for keeping them warm and comfy.
Keep the Temperature Right
The newborn pups need an ambient temperature between 85°F to 90°F. You may gradually reduce the temperature to around 80°F when your baby beagle puppies reach 8 to 10 days old. Once they are a month old, a temperature of 72°F to 75°F of the bed will do.
It is not necessary to set the entire room temperature into these digits, but just enough to cover the whelping box. A heated electric blanket can be handy for maintaining this relative temperature. Otherwise, you will need a hot water bottle covered with a towel in your litters’ den. A heat lamp may also do, but wild dog breeds like the beagle usually prefer a dark spot for their boxes.
Attend to a Crying Puppy
A puppy’s behavior is an indicator of its comfort level. So, when the baby beagle puppies are crying, something is wrong, and you need to check them out. Restless puppies may be cold or hungry. When puppies are not eating, make sure you know why and address it. You can handle crying puppies by putting them on the hind teats or inguinal teats since these are the parts that give the most milk.
You should also ensure that the crying beagle is not pushed away by its littermates. But be careful about handling the puppies and moving them as little as possible. Bitches tend to become aggressive after they give birth and may attack you if left unrestrained.
Feeding Baby Beagle Puppies
If the mother pooch produces adequate milk, her newborn beagles will also look content. A restless or weak puppy that appears with a scrawny tummy may not be feeding well. When you notice it, it is time for you to step up and help the little one to latch and nurse properly.
The first thing you can do is put the puppy in the hind teats and see if it will work. If it has trouble latching, the best option is to feed it manually. You can get milk directly from the mother and dispense it using a syringe or dropper. Some dog owners use their fingers to stimulate a puppy to feed before introducing the feeding instrument.
A feeding bottle can be more helpful as it will encourage the little pooch to suck. But before handling the puppy, remember to wash and sanitize your hands.
Using Canine Milk Replacement
If you are raising the newborn pup on your own and getting milk from the mother is not an option, you can look for replacement milk. Use milk replacement that is tailored for newborn puppies. Never use human milk or even cow and goat’s milk. You can ask your vet for supplementary ingredients or online stores.
Always consult your veterinarian before using canine milk substitutes to avoid overfeeding them. Use the proper amount and weigh the baby beagle puppies regularly to see if they grow at the ideal healthy rate. Feed the puppies with only one brand of milk but watch out for signs of allergies.
Cleaning Baby Beagles
Don’t bathe newborn puppies until they reach at least 4 weeks of age. They still cannot regulate their temperature and become susceptible to cold. You may brush the baby beagle’s fur, though, once they are at least three weeks old. Brushing stimulates their blood flow and can help spread oil in their tri-colored coats. You can use a hound glove to help manage the fur that may shed off their coats.
Clean the eyes and ears as you go, giving more attention to the ears. Their big and floppy ears are prone to infection if left uncared for.
Toilet Training Baby Beagles
The beagle breed has a stubborn and mischievous temperament, and some adult beagle dog owners find difficult to train. Starting the training early with beagle puppies may save you a deal later on. Potty training, for once, is one of the most common early training that you can start with.
Generally, the mother dogs will lick their puppy’s nether regions to encourage them with their toilet habits. You can use a wet towel to mimic the action after every feeding.
Allow Them to Play
By the third week, baby beagle puppies will already gain their sense of sight and smell. They can also stand on their wobbly feet and begin to interact with their siblings and mother. Playing is an important aspect of their lives, and they will do so in many ways. By the fourth week, they are ready for human interaction, so you can pick and cuddle the adorable furballs.
When your little pooches begin to engage in extensive play, it is about time to puppy-proof your home. They will begin to explore the world with their mouth and nose. Thus, you should clear the floor from anything inedible that they might swallow. Take note that beagles are hunting dogs with a great sense of smell. They may roam around the house sniffing for various odors and some mischiefs.
Weaning
You can help little puppies transition into solid foods as early as four to five weeks old. Start with soup and gradually include a mass of solid food that they can handle. It is also important to stick to one brand of food to prevent allergies and low blood sugar levels, which are bad for baby beagle puppies.
Vaccinate Your Puppies
Beagles are ready for vaccination when they are about 6 to 8 weeks old. The earlier they can get their shots, the better. Before they are vaccinated, do not expose your pups to other dogs to keep them protected. You should also follow the vet’s instructions regarding the vaccination process and other necessary medications.
Conclusion
Raising energetic and fun-loving baby beagle puppies is easy if you know what you are doing. Although they can survive on their own, there might be instances when you should step in and help the mother dog. Watch out for signs of sickness like vomiting and diarrhea. Always touch base with your local veterinarians if you have any questions. You will be surprised how these delicate little furballs can eventually fill your home with their hyperactive but irresistible cuteness.