It can be quite concerning when a mother dog separates one of her puppies from the rest for no apparent reason. Though it can seem mysterious, there is usually an underlying scientific explanation for why mom dog separates one puppy from the rest.
Why Does My Dog Separate One Puppy From The Rest?
A mother dog separates one puppy from the rest to increase the survival rate for the remaining puppies. If the mom dog feels that she is unable to take care of the number of puppies due to physical exhaustion, lack of milk, or mental exhaustion, she will remove one or more puppies from the rest so she can better focus on the remaining litter.
The mother dog has a mission to raise as many puppies as she can. However, sometimes the mom just feels so tired, exhausted, or depressed that she can’t take care of all the puppies. This especially happens in first-time dog moms. Their way of telling you that she can’t take care of that one particular puppy is by separating it from the rest of the litter.
As a pet parent, this is the right time for you to step in and care for the separated puppy. Caring for a puppy rejected by its mother can be both rewarding and difficult. First, if the puppy is very young, it will have to have formula milk in place of regular nursing. Nursing a puppy is time-consuming. They typically need to feed every two to three hours in the beginning.
Puppy pads or grass trays should also be provided until they are old enough to take themselves outside for potty breaks. As much as possible, provide a safe and comfortable area for them away from loud noises or distractions that may scare them.
Why Is My Dog Not Feeding One Of Her Puppies?
If a mother dog is not feeding one of her puppies, it can be because the pup is too weak and unable to feed, it has a congenital defect that affects its ability to suckle, or simply because the mother feels that something is wrong with that puppy and she refuses to waste her time.
Newborn puppies are some of the most fragile and vulnerable creatures on earth. Unfortunately, some of them are born weak and unable to feed which can be caused by a number of factors such as malnutrition in their mothers, poor nutrition before and during pregnancy, lack of appropriate medical care, or complications with the delivery.
To ensure the best outcome for all puppies, try supplementing their nutrition with supplemental milk formula. Just make sure to speak to your veterinarian first. Additionally, closely monitor the canine’s behavior. If the other puppies are fed regularly but one is always left out, consider taking interest and syringe feed the puppy every two hours.
Although newborn puppies are incredibly vulnerable and in need of frequent attention and care, it is still possible for them to survive without their mother. With the proper medical intervention, hygiene, and nutrition, you can keep the rejected puppy alive.
As most puppies aren’t even ready for solid food or sheltering away from their mother until at least two weeks of age, people often take on the role of a surrogate parent by providing special supportive formulas that mimic a mother’s milk and providing plenty of snuggles and cuddling.
Should I Force My Dog To Feed Her Puppies?
Deciding whether to force your dog to feed her puppies can be a particularly difficult situation. If the reason why the mother dog is not feeding her babies is due to a medical issue, fatigue, or stress, you shouldn’t force her. However, if the mom dog is focusing more on going on a walk, or just sleeping on the couch, it is fine to try and get her to feed the puppies.
Some dog mothers just lack maternal instinct and are stubborn. You should then take matters into your own hands and intervene. Providing food for the puppies either through bottle-feeding or special veterinary formulas can help them get the nutrition they need. But also you should get the mother to feed her babies.
However, you should keep in mind that some dogs will suffer from postpartum depression and won’t feel like feeding their puppies. The time spent caring for her newborn puppies may feel overwhelming. This strain of postpartum depression is likely caused by hormone levels changing after giving birth and the new responsibility of caring for someone else.
If the mom dog is suffering from postpartum depression, she will escape from her puppies and will not feed them. If this is the case, you shouldn’t force her to feed her puppies because it will only make things worse. Instead, let her rest and regain her energy. In the meanwhile, you can syringe feed the puppies every two hours to make sure they are not hungry.
How Long Can Newborn Puppies Go Without Nursing?
Newborn puppies are entirely dependent on their mothers for food – without her, they wouldn’t survive at all. Even though newborn puppies can go on for up to two days without nursing, it is not recommended because they can dehydrate within 48 hours.
It is best to consult a vet if there are concerns about a puppy not being fed enough or regularly in order to ensure that it gets the necessary nutrition needed to preserve its health and development. The vet will decide how to proceed. They know which formula is best for newborn puppies.
Newborn puppies that are not being fed by their mother should be syringe fed every two hours for the first three weeks of their lives. By three weeks old, most newborn puppies will have begun taking in some solid food as part of their daily meals.
Does a Mother Dog Have a Favorite Puppy?
Mother dogs often have a special bond with one pup in their litter. While it might seem like the mother dog has a favorite puppy due to this behavior, experts agree that the pup’s level of comfort is what actually determines which pup she has the most interaction with.
A mother will gravitate towards whichever puppy appears to be more scared or timid and comfort it over the others. In fact, her interactions with each of her puppies are calculated and tailored to encompass both physical and emotional security. By providing rest comfort, and protection from any possible threat – ensuring that all her puppies receive equal care despite any potential differences in their personalities or development levels.
Some signs that might indicate a particular puppy has been singled out can include increased contact from the mother, fussing or extra effort from her when caring for a certain pup, or her staying near them when other pups wander off.
If a mother dog has a favorite puppy, it doesn’t mean that she will neglect the other ones. In fact, she only tries to increase the survival rate of the weakest pup. It all comes down to either taking extra care of that one pup or rejecting it. This is the choice that a mother dog will make. But, most of the time, the mother will not reject her puppy. Instead, she will try her best to make sure it survives.
