Puppy development from birth to adulthood

Understanding the Growth stages of puppies remarkable transformation your puppy undergoes from birth to adulthood will help you provide the proper nutrition at each stage of their development.

Growth stages of puppies

Birth

Right after birth, it’s crucial to guide a puppy to suckle. During these initial hours and days, the mother transfers vital antibodies and nutrients to her litter, supporting their healthy development.

Behavior

Growth stages of puppies, At birth, puppies’ eyes are closed, so they rely on scent and touch to find their mother and litter mates for warmth, care, and nutrition. During this early stage, puppies spend most of their time sleeping.

Growth stages of puppies

Development

At birth, puppies should weigh between one and five percent of their anticipated mature weight. Their mother’s diet will cause them to put on weight swiftly. The size of the breed determines how much weight a puppy gains in the first several days. Puppies of the same breed should typically grow between two and four grammes of weight per day for every kilogramme of the adult dog’s weight.

Growth stages of puppies

Health

The main challenge for newborn puppies is to become autonomous in breathing, maintaining body heat, and feeding, which is crucial for their survival during this critical period. To support them, it is essential to properly prepare the whelping box. Ensure the space has 65-70% humidity by using bowls of water or a humidifier to promote proper breathing, and use a radiant or infrared lamp to maintain warmth.

Nutrition

It’s crucial for puppies to start suckling as soon as they are born. Instead of regular milk, they ingest colostrum, a substance produced by the mother that supports and enhances their immune system.

Growth stages of puppies

Becoming an adult

Though they all belong to the same species, dog breeds can vary significantly in size, weight, and nutritional needs. These differences become particularly evident during the puppy growth period.