How to Tell If a Newborn Puppy Is Healthy

By Tailwisp Editorial TeamUpdated October 17, 20263 min read

Newborn puppies cannot tell you when something is wrong, and they can go from fine to critical quickly. A routine of daily checks lets you catch the earliest signs. Most of what matters is simple: warmth, feeding and weight.

What a healthy newborn looks like

• Body feels warm and the puppy is plump and firm, not wrinkled or limp.
• Strong suckle. The puppy finds a nipple quickly and feeds with energy.
• Quiet between feeds. Puppies sleep a lot and make small contented sounds.
• Active when awake. A healthy puppy crawls, roots and moves toward warmth.
• Pink, moist gums and good skin elasticity.
• Steady weight gain every day.
• Clean bottom, normal stool that is yellowish-brown and soft, and urine that is pale.

The daily checklist

1. Weigh each puppy at the same time and record it. See newborn puppy care.
2. Check warmth. The puppy should feel warm, not cool.
3. Watch nursing. Look for a strong latch and a full belly.
4. Check hydration. Gently pinch the skin on the back. It should snap back quickly.
5. Look at stool and urine.
6. Check the navel for redness or discharge.
7. Look at breathing. It should be quiet and even.
8. Observe behavior. The puppy should stay with the litter.

Weight is the best early warning

A puppy that does not gain weight, or loses weight, is in trouble even if it looks fine. Small puppies and the smallest in the litter, known as runts, are most at risk. Weigh them more often and ask your vet whether supplementary feeding is needed. If supplementing, our guide to bottle-feeding a puppy covers the technique.

Warning signs

Call your vet promptly if a puppy shows any of the following:

• Constant crying or whimpering
• Cold, limp or weak body
• Pushed away from the litter by the mother
• Failure to nurse
• Weight loss or no gain
• Diarrhea or very watery stool
• Bloated or hard belly
• Blue or very pale gums
• Gasping, wheezing or bubbling from the nose
• Discharge from the navel
• Constant tremors while awake

Fading puppy syndrome

Fading puppy syndrome is a general term for newborn puppies that start well but weaken and decline, usually during the first two to three weeks. Causes vary: low birth weight, chilling, infections, congenital problems, poor milk supply or issues with the mother. Signs include weakness, failure to nurse, crying, separation from the litter and cold body. Rapid veterinary care and warming can sometimes save puppies, but outcomes are unpredictable. Do not try to treat at home beyond gentle warming while on the way to the vet.

Safe first aid for a cold puppy

A chilled puppy should be warmed gradually, not rapidly. Wrap it in a warm towel, hold it against your body or use a heating source with a barrier, and call your vet. Do not feed a very cold puppy, because it cannot digest properly. Warm first, then feed under advice.

Dehydration

Dehydrated puppies have tacky gums, dry mouths and skin that stays tented. This needs veterinary care. Do not give fluids by mouth to a weak puppy without guidance, as it can enter the lungs.

Keeping records

Write down birth order, weights, feed times, stool and any concerns. These notes help your vet and show trends you might otherwise miss.

The takeaway

Daily checks of warmth, feeding and weight give you the best chance of catching trouble early. When in doubt, call your vet. For motherless litters, read our guide to caring for orphan puppies.