Guide to Caring for a Newborn American Pocket Bully Litter

Raising a litter of American Pocket Bully puppies requires meticulous attention to detail to ensure the health and well-being of both the puppies and their mother. Below is a comprehensive guide to properly caring for a newborn litter.

Newborn puppies cannot regulate their body temperature in the first few weeks, so maintaining a proper heat source is essential.

• Week 1: 29–32°C (85–90°F)
• Week 2: 27–29°C (80–85°F)
• Week 3 and beyond: Gradually lowering to 21–23°C (70–75°F) by the fourth week

• The whelping area must be warm, clean, and disinfected to prevent infections.
• Avoid drafts, damp conditions, or sudden temperature changes.
• Heating sources (heating pads or infrared lamps) should be used carefully, ensuring puppies can move away if they get too warm.

The mother must nurse her puppies every 2–3 hours in the first few weeks. If she does not produce enough milk or rejects the puppies, supplemental feeding is necessary.

• Use a high-quality milk replacer (e.g., Royal Canin Baby Dog Milk).
• Always prepare milk correctly according to the manufacturer's instructions to avoid digestive issues.
• Feed puppies in a natural position (belly down, never on their backs) to prevent aspiration.
• Ensure milk does not enter the nose, as this can lead to aspiration pneumonia.

• Week 1: Every 2 hours, including overnight
• Week 2: Every 2-3 hours
• Week 3: Every 3-4 hours as they begin transitioning to soft food

Newborn puppies cannot urinate or defecate on their own and rely on their mother to lick their abdomen and genital area to stimulate elimination.

If the mother does not perform this task, the breeder must:

• After each feeding, use a warm, damp cotton pad or soft cloth to gently massage the puppy’s belly and genital area.
• Ensure that all puppies urinate and defecate before placing them back with their mother.
• Keep the whelping area dry and clean to prevent infections.

Tracking each puppy’s weight and development is crucial to ensure they are thriving.

• Weigh puppies every day at the same time.
• A healthy puppy should gain 5–10% of its birth weight daily.
• If a puppy is not gaining weight or is losing weight, immediate intervention is needed.

• Active and responsive when handled
• Pink gums (indicating good oxygenation)
• A full belly after nursing
• Consistent weight gain

• Weakness, lethargy, or excessive crying
• Cold body temperature (hypothermia)
• Failure to gain weight or weight loss
• Milk coming out of the nose during feeding (aspiration risk)

The mother’s health is just as important as her puppies'. She must receive proper nutrition and care to produce sufficient milk and recover from birth.

• High-quality, high-calorie diet: A nursing mother needs at least 3–4 times her normal food intake.
• Fresh water must be available at all times: Hydration is crucial for milk production.
• Monitor her mammary glands: Check for swelling, redness, or hardness, which could indicate mastitis (a painful infection).
• Ensure she does not accidentally crush puppies: First-time mothers may accidentally lie on their puppies, so supervision is essential.

• Days 1–14: Puppies are blind, deaf, and rely entirely on smell and touch.
• Days 10–14: Eyes begin to open (vision is blurry at first).
• Around 2 weeks: Ears open, allowing them to hear sounds.
• 3 weeks: Puppies start attempting to stand, walk, and explore their surroundings.
• 4 weeks: Begin transitioning to soft food, starting the weaning process.

Newborn puppies are vulnerable to parasites and infections, so early veterinary care is essential.

• Deworming:
  • First deworming at 2 weeks
  • Then every 2 weeks until 8 weeks old
• First Vaccination:
  • Usually given between 6–8 weeks (depending on the veterinarian’s recommendations)
• Health Checks:
  • Look for congenital defects (e.g., cleft palate, hernias, limb deformities)
  • Ensure all puppies are developing at a normal rate

Raising a litter of American Pocket Bully puppies requires constant monitoring, patience, and dedication. Proper temperature control, nutrition, hygiene, and health checks will ensure the puppies grow into strong, healthy dogs. By following these guidelines, breeders can significantly improve the survival rate and overall well-being of their litters.