Newborn puppies need to eat very frequently because their stomachs are small and they can become dehydrated quickly. The general feeding frequency for newborn puppies is:
- Every 2 hours during the first week of life. This means about 8 feedings per day
- Every 3 to 4 hours during the second week of life. This reduces to about 5 feedings per day
- Every 4 to 6 hours from weeks 3 to 4. This corresponds to about 4 feedings per day, with weaning often beginning around this time
- Every 6 to 8 hours by 6 to 8 weeks old, when puppies are usually transitioning to solid food
Puppies typically nurse or bottle-feed for around 45 to 50 minutes per feeding session in the newborn stage
. It is crucial not to miss feedings or overfeed, as both can cause health problems like diarrhea or bloating
. In summary, newborn puppies eat approximately every 2 hours initially, gradually increasing the interval between feedings as they grow older, with the frequency dropping to about 3-4 times per day by 4 to 6 weeks of age
