A Puppy’s First 24 Hours: What Really Matters Most

You’ve waited weeks for this moment. The first puppy arrives, still wrapped in its sac, the mother licking and nudging in a flurry of instinct and excitement. It’s beautiful—and nerve-wracking.

Those first 24 hours after whelping are the most critical of a puppy’s life. What happens in this short window often determines whether each newborn thrives or struggles.

Let’s talk about what really matters most in those first hours and how you, as the breeder, can set every puppy up for success.

1. Clear the Airways, Stimulate, and Warm

A healthy start begins with breathing.

After each puppy is born, remove the membranes and fluid from the nose and mouth. A bulb syringe or DeeLee mucus trap works best—gently suction the mouth and nostrils, including the back of the throat.

Then comes the part most new breeders hesitate about: vigorous rubbing.

Use a clean, dry towel and rub firmly enough that you almost feel like you’re overdoing it—you’re not. This friction stimulates breathing, circulation, and warmth. Keep rubbing until the puppy squirms and cries. Those cries are the sound of life.

Once the puppy is breathing steadily, dry, and moving, make sure it stays warm.

Newborns can’t regulate body temperature on their own. Aim to keep the whelping area at 85–90°F (29–32°C) and the room itself at 75–80°F (24–27°C).

If you see puppies huddling and crying, they’re too cold. If they’re scattered and restless, they may be too hot. Adjust until the litter is comfortably resting in loose contact.

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2. Tie, Check, and Weigh

If the umbilical cord is still bleeding, tie it off about ½ inch from the body with unwaxed dental floss or thread. Then, perform a quick but important newborn check:

• Look for a cleft palate (a gap in the roof of the mouth)
• Confirm there’s an anus present and open
• Note sex and color markings for your records

Next, weigh each puppy immediately. Record that birth weight and keep the same scale handy—you’ll use it daily.

A small digital kitchen scale is perfect, and placing the puppy in a shallow container keeps them safe while you get an accurate reading.

Puppies may lose up to 10 % of their birth weight in the first 24 hours, but after that, steady daily gain is non-negotiable. (We’ll talk more about that in next week’s blog post!)

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3. Encourage Nursing and Bonding

Within minutes, help each puppy latch. Strip a few drops of colostrum from the nipple and guide the puppy’s mouth to it.

That thick, yellowish first milk is packed with antibodies and nutrients—it’s their entire immune system for the first few weeks.

If a puppy struggles to find or stay latched, hold the nipple between two fingers, open the puppy’s mouth, and gently place it over the nipple. A few seconds of steady support can make all the difference.

Keep the whelping box quiet, warm, and clean to encourage nursing and maternal bonding.

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4. Know When to Call for Help

Even with perfect preparation, some puppies need extra support.

Call your veterinarian if you notice:

• Weak or absent suckle reflex
• Pale or gray gums
• Low temperature (< 96°F)
• Weight loss greater than 10 % after the first 24 hours
• Persistent crying or lethargy

Quick intervention in those early hours can turn a fading puppy into a thriving one.

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Your Calm Makes the Difference

Every experienced breeder remembers the first time they helped a puppy breathe. It’s a moment that never leaves you.

The good news? With the right preparation, most puppies don’t need dramatic intervention—they just need you to be calm, ready, and confident.

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