Your 1-Week-Old Puppy: Newborn Care, Feeding, Sleep & Development

The first week of a puppy's life is all about warmth, nourishment, sleep and staying close to their mother. At this age, puppies are extremely vulnerable and rely on their mother or experienced caregivers for almost everything.

Their eyes and ears are still closed, their movements are limited, and most of their time is spent nursing and sleeping.

Understanding what is normal during this first week can help you provide a safe, calm environment and recognise when a puppy may need additional support.

This Week at a Glance

Age: Birth to 7 days

Development stage: Newborn (neonatal)

Main needs: Mother's milk, warmth, sleep and close monitoring

Movement: Crawling and wriggling rather than walking

Senses: Eyes and ear canals remain closed

Care priority: Ensuring each puppy stays warm, nurses effectively and gains weight

During this week, the goal is not training or play. It is supporting healthy newborn development.

Growth & Development

A 1-week-old puppy looks and behaves very differently from an older puppy.

Their body is still adjusting to life outside the womb, and many of the abilities we associate with dogs have not yet developed.

Eyes and Ears

Newborn puppies are born with their eyes closed and ear canals not yet open.

They cannot see or hear normally during their first week. Instead, they rely mainly on touch, smell and warmth to find their mother.

What you can do: Allow their eyes and ears to develop naturally. Never attempt to open them.

Movement and Coordination

At this age, puppies cannot stand or walk properly.

You may notice them:

• Wriggling towards their mother.
• Crawling short distances.
• Moving their heads while searching for milk.
• Making small movements during sleep.

These movements are part of normal early development.

Weight and Physical Growth

Healthy newborn puppies generally begin gaining weight after the immediate post-birth period.

The amount varies depending on breed, birth weight and individual health.

Weigh each puppy using an accurate scale, ideally at the same time every day, and record the results.

Keep in mind: A puppy that fails to gain weight, loses weight or becomes noticeably weaker needs prompt veterinary assessment.

Feeding & Nutrition

During the first week, a puppy's primary food should be their mother's milk.

Mother's first milk, called colostrum, provides important early immune protection, particularly during the first hours after birth.

How Often Do Newborn Puppies Feed?

Newborn puppies typically nurse frequently throughout the day and night.

Rather than following a strict feeding schedule, puppies with their mother should normally be allowed to nurse according to their needs.

Observe the litter to ensure that every puppy can reach a teat and feed effectively.

Signs a Puppy Is Feeding Well

Look for:

• Regular, effective nursing.
• A puppy that settles comfortably after feeding.
• Consistent weight gain.
• Normal warmth and activity for their age.

Persistent crying, weakness or difficulty nursing can indicate a problem.

What If the Mother Cannot Feed?

If the mother is absent, unwell or unable to produce enough milk, contact a veterinarian immediately for an appropriate newborn feeding plan.

Orphaned puppies need a commercially formulated puppy milk replacer, not cow's milk or ordinary human infant formula.

Bottle-feeding technique, milk temperature, feeding frequency and the puppy's body temperature all matter. Incorrect feeding can cause choking or milk entering the lungs.

Never force-feed a weak or cold puppy. Seek veterinary advice first.

Sleep & Rest

Newborn puppies spend most of their time sleeping and nursing.

Sleep supports their rapid physical development, and they do not yet have the regular day-and-night routine of an older puppy.

Creating a Comfortable Resting Area

Provide a quiet, clean and protected whelping area.

The space should be:

• Free from cold draughts.
• Large enough for the mother to lie comfortably.
• Equipped with clean, dry bedding.
• Protected from accidental crushing or entrapment.
• Warm enough for newborn puppies, with a cooler area available so they can move away from excess heat.

Newborn puppies cannot regulate their body temperature effectively. Heating equipment must be carefully controlled to prevent burns and overheating.

Keep in mind: Excessive handling, noise and unnecessary disturbances can interrupt feeding and rest.

Warmth & Everyday Comfort

Warmth is one of the most important parts of newborn puppy care.

During their first week, puppies depend on their mother and the surrounding environment to maintain a safe body temperature.

How to Help

Start here: Keep the whelping area appropriately warm, clean and dry.

Then: Observe whether the puppies are resting comfortably together and nursing normally.

Keep in mind: Puppies that feel cold, are unusually weak, cry persistently or are separated from the litter may need urgent attention.

A cold newborn puppy should be warmed carefully under veterinary guidance before feeding. Avoid placing puppies directly against heating pads, hot-water bottles or other concentrated heat sources.

Hygiene & Toileting

A 1-week-old puppy cannot reliably urinate or pass stools without stimulation.

Normally, the mother encourages toileting by licking the puppy's genital and anal areas after feeding.

This is a natural part of newborn care.

What If the Mother Is Not Present?

Orphaned puppies may need gentle stimulation using a warm, damp cloth after feeds.

A veterinarian or experienced neonatal caregiver should demonstrate the correct technique and explain what normal urination and stools should look like.

Keep bedding clean and dry, and avoid bathing newborn puppies unless a veterinarian advises it.

Behaviour & Early Bonding

You will not see much playful or social behaviour during Week 1.

Puppies communicate mainly through movement, touch and small vocalisations.

You might notice them:

• Moving towards warmth.
• Searching for their mother.
• Settling after nursing.
• Making quiet sounds during sleep.
• Crying when uncomfortable, cold or hungry.

These behaviours are part of their earliest survival responses.

For now, bonding is about gentle, necessary handling and providing a secure environment, rather than introducing toys or training.

Health & Veterinary Care

Newborn puppies can become unwell quickly, so careful observation is essential.

A veterinarian should advise on newborn examinations, any concerns following birth, and care for the mother.

Signs That Need Prompt Veterinary Attention

• Contact a veterinarian urgently if a puppy:
• Refuses or is unable to nurse.
• Is unusually weak, limp or unresponsive.
• Feels abnormally cold.
• Cries continuously or appears distressed.
• Has breathing difficulties.
• Has persistent diarrhoea or vomiting.
• Fails to gain weight or loses weight.
• Has unusual discharge, bleeding or swelling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a 1-week-old puppy see or hear?

No. Puppies are born with their eyes closed and ear canals not yet open. Their senses develop gradually over the following weeks.

How much should a 1-week-old puppy sleep?

Newborn puppies spend most of their time sleeping or nursing. Frequent rest is normal during this early stage.

Can I hold a 1-week-old puppy?

Gentle handling for necessary health checks is generally appropriate, provided the puppy stays warm and the mother is comfortable. Avoid excessive or prolonged handling.

Can a 1-week-old puppy drink water?

A healthy newborn puppy receives hydration through its mother's milk or an appropriate puppy milk replacer. Do not offer separate water or other liquids unless directed by a veterinarian.

When will my puppy start walking?

Puppies usually begin attempting to stand and walk during the following weeks as their muscles and coordination develop.

Why does my newborn puppy keep crying?

Crying can indicate hunger, cold, separation or discomfort. Persistent crying, especially alongside weakness or poor feeding, requires prompt veterinary attention.

Can a 1-week-old puppy live without its mother?

Orphaned puppies can sometimes be raised successfully with intensive neonatal care, but they need immediate veterinary guidance, suitable milk replacement, carefully managed warmth and frequent monitoring.

What Comes Next? Week 2

During Week 2, your puppy is still in the newborn stage, but important changes are approaching.

Their eyes may begin opening towards the end of the second week, their movements gradually become stronger, and they continue depending heavily on their mother.

Next guide: Your 2-Week-Old Puppy — Early Development, Feeding & First Changes.

Yaabu Care Note: This guide provides general educational information. Newborn puppies require close monitoring, and veterinary advice should always take priority when there are concerns about feeding, temperature, weight or health.