Timeline Photos

Many people come upon litters outdoors and �assume� they have been abandoned when in fact the mother dog is nearby, probably hunting. Outdoor or stray mother dogs sometimes scatter their babies to avoid predation. If the puppies are fed well, are in a safe place, and fall asleep after crying for a short while, the mother is probably around. It is best to monitor a nest for a couple of hours.

During the first ten days of life, the physical activities of the new-borns are very limited. Puppies are born blind, deaf and helpless. At this stage of their lives, just about the only things the pups know how to do are to suckle and sleep, which they do alternatively. Without their mother’s undivided attention, they would undoubtedly perish. The mother dog�s job is to provide them with food (milk), to keep them warm, and to protect them from danger.

The puppies must get around by crawling on their abdomens with a swimming motion. These �infants� will cry when they are hungry and require warmth of their mother�s body. They require feeding every 2-3hours.

The furry newborns will put a demand on their mother�s system, draining her nutrition. The mother will naturally produce milk for the puppies, but it will be at the expense of her health unless she is fed properly.

If you are concern of the welfare of the mother and babies, you can help by giving;

Shelter

Ease the mother dog�s worries but shielding her kids from sun and rain. Give them some towels to keep the puppies warm.

Food

A mother dog will need about 3 times as much food as she would under normal circumstances. Increase the amount of her regular food and increase the frequency. She needs to be fed before she could feed her newborns.

Water

Don�t overlook the importance of keeping the dog hydrated during the time she is nursing. This not only maintains the mother dog�s health, but also insures that the puppies are getting sufficient water too. The puppies need a lot of water to keep them healthy and sustain their blood volume. The pups� needs will come first, so they will get whatever fluids are available from their mother, who may be left dehydrated.

Please do NOT try to be �Hero� by surrendering the newborn furbabies to us. Our shelter has NO lactating mothers. The success rate of raising these litters without their mother is ALMOST ZERO percentage. We plead public not to be too excited and �overly helpful� to separate the litters from their mothers.

Source: https://www.facebook.com/SarawakSPCA/photos/a.176524749431.1..

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SPCA Sarawak

The Sarawak Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals believes that animals, as living creatures, have value beyond economic measurement, and are entitled to legal, moral and ethical consideration and protection. The Sarawak SPCA's mission is to act as an advocate on behalf of animals and as an enforcer of their rights; to provide for the well-being of the animals of the State of Sarawak who are abandoned, injured, subjected to unfair or cruel treatment, or otherwise in need; to cultivate in the people of our community an awareness of the animals whose world we share; to promote a bond of mutual assistance between people and animals; and to instill respect for and appreciation of all living things.

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