You can hold newborn puppies as soon as they come out of the mother's womb. While it's important that newborns spend ample time feeding from and bonding with their mother and other puppies in their litter, it won't harm them if you gently hold them.
What happens if you touch newborn puppies too much?
As newborns, puppies need to eat frequently to keep their blood sugar at normal levels. Their bodies are unable to maintain their blood sugar levels until they are older. Frequent handling by humans can interfere with the pups' feeding schedule and lead to low blood sugar, which can cause seizures and even death.
How soon can you hold newborn puppies?
In general, puppies shouldn't be picked up, carried around or played with until their eyes are open and they can walk easily. This is around three weeks of age. Until then an adult may hold a puppy and allow a small child to pet it carefully.
Is it OK to handle newborn puppies?
Handling puppies and weighing them As a general rule, you don't want to lift, hold or carry puppies younger than 3 weeks because they're very delicate and even a short fall could injure or kill them. You will have to lift them, though, while you're performing basic health and husbandry procedures.
Can you touch puppies when they are first born?
Once the puppies are about three weeks old, they will begin to move around on their own. This is when you can begin to pet them and interact with them more. You should only touch or pick up a newborn puppy if you observe that it is sick, if the mother abandons it, or in the case of orphaned puppies.
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