During the first four days of life, the environmental temperature where the puppies are kept should be maintained at 85-90°F (29.5-32°C). The temperature may then be gradually decreased to approximately 80°F (26.7°C) by the seventh to tenth day, and to about 72°F (22.2°C) by the end of the fourth week.
Newborn puppies can't generate their own body heat until they develop the shiver reflex at around two and half weeks. At birth his body (rectal) temperature should fall between 95° and 99°F. If it drops below 94°F, your puppy could be facing life-threatening hypothermia.
A temperature below 94°F (34.3°C) can be life-threatening. Therefore, immediate action is necessary to provide the warmth the puppy needs to survive. A healthy newborn can usually survive hypothermia if re-warmed slowly.
It can actually provide clues as to whether they're too hot or too cold. If the puppies huddle close to each other under the heat source, it may mean they're too cold and are trying to use the group's body heat to stay warm. If the puppies are scattered in different areas of the box, it could mean they're too hot.
A whelping heating pad is crucial to have on hand next to and in the whelping box. While you clean the whelping box after the birthing process, you are going to need to place the new puppies onto a safe heating pad so they stay warm. The whelping box must also be warm to prevent illness.
Be sure the whelping box has adequate heat around 85 degrees, as puppies are not able to make their own body heat until they are 2 ½ weeks old.
The uniform heating, reduced risk of dehydration, and the temperature-adjustment ability are just a few of the reasons that a heating pad is a better option for your puppies and the winner of the 'pad vs. lamp' debate.
Using Heat Lamps & Bulbs for Puppies Safely
Heat lamps are typically used until puppies reach 8 weeks of age when they can better regulate their body temperature.
Puppies have difficulty regulating their temperatures during the first four months of life and will likely cry if they're too cold.
If you notice your puppy crying or whining frequently, be sure to take it to your veterinarian. Increased crying is a common symptom of most neonatal problems. If a puppy is crying, it may be overheated, becoming ill, experiencing pain, or not getting enough to eat.
A healthy newborn body temperature ranges between 95° and 99°F. By staying close to mama dog, a healthy puppy can maintain a temperature of about 12°F warmer than the air temperature. The air temp for those first few critical days, therefore, should be kept at about 85 -90°F (29.5-32°C).
An ambient temperature of about 32o Celsius is recommended for the first 4 days after whelping. This can be gradually reduced to a more normal temperature over the next 2 – 3 weeks as the pups grow. A comfortable temperature for newborn pups is likely to be too hot for the dam, though.
According to the American Kennel Club, puppies younger than 10 weeks cannot be left alone for more than an hour. From 3-6 months, they should not be left longer than their age in months (for example, 3-month-old puppies cannot be alone for longer than 3 hours).
The whelping box needs to be changed at least once a day at this stage, and 2-3 times a day as the puppies begin eating solids and the mother is not cleaning up after them. A large heavy paper may be laid on the bottom, several layers of newspaper over that, and a tightly stretched blanket over the newspaper.
Pups remain contently in their whelping box for the first 20 days of their life.
Low body temperature – Puppies have lower temperatures than adult dogs, usually starting around 97 degrees Fahrenheit and increasing to around 101 degrees within the first four weeks of their lives. Anything lower than this is concerning, and anything lower than 94 degrees Fahrenheit can quickly lead to death.
Puppies with fading puppy syndrome frequently die within 24 hours of showing signs. Also, some causes of the syndrome, such as birth defects, are not easily treatable. Immediate veterinary care is critical to try to save a fading puppy.
At this young age, newborn puppies are incredibly fragile. Puppies under two weeks old need to be fed every 3-4 hours. Slightly older puppies, aged two to four weeks, should be fed every 6-8 hours.
While there are many DIY methods of providing a heat source to keep newborn puppies warm and comfortable—some more reliable than others—a whelping nest is designed specifically for puppies. High-quality whelping nests are able to offer a reliable heat source and are made of medical-grade materials.
Newborn puppies sleep about 22 hours a day, so they're really not going to be experiencing much. They also cannot walk. They will try crawling around just a bit however they won't move far from mother at all. When not sleeping, a newborn will be eating.
In winter it is necessary to place a rug / towel / rubber mat, under the whelping box, in order to insulate from the floor. Place the heat mat on top of the rug and then the whelping box on top. In summer, however, have the whelping box straight on the floor with the heat pad still underneath.
All dogs can benefit from blankets. Young, old, and sick dogs need the added comfort. Small dogs, short-haired breeds, and dogs who are prone to be more cold-blooded need the extra warmth. Dogs love the comfort of having a blanket of their own, and blankets make great substitutes for dog beds.
If you use a heating pad make sure it only covers half or parts of the nursing area so that the neonates can move away from the heat if they need to, and also make sure it is set on "low" and that the electrical cord is out of reach of sharp little puppy teeth.
Heating pads made specifically for pets have heat settings favorable to a dog's needs. A human heating pad can be set too high, and overdoing the heat is especially a concern with an older dog, injured dog, or a very young pup. Always check your dog frequently to assess the dog's comfort.