Table of normal puppy development from birth to 6 weeks of age
What is Normal Week 1 Week 2 Weeks 3-4 Weeks 5-6
Temperature, Rectal 96-98F 96-99F 100F 100-101F
Ambient Temperature 75-80F 70-80F 70-75F 65-75F
Heart Rate 200-240bpm 200-240bpm 160-200bpm Varies with breed
Respiratory Rate 15-35 per min 15-35 per min 15-25 per min 15-25 per min
Mucous Membrane Colour/CRT Pink to red if recently nursed Pink 1 second Pink 1 second Pink 1 second
Urine Colour Very pale yellow Very pale yellow Pale yellow Pale to moderate yellow
Weight May loose up to 10% in first 3 days Birth weight: Toys 100-200g, Medium 300-400g, Large 400-500g, Giant 700g. Gaining 5-10% daily, many double birth weight by day 10. Calculate weight gain of 2-4 gm/day/kg anticipated adult weight. Calculate weight gain of 2-4 gm/day/kg anticipated adult weight. Calculate weight gain of 4-4 gm/day/kg anticipated adult weight. Giant and large breeds gain at a faster rate than smaller breeds.
Activity Sleeps & eats 90% of the time, twitch while sleeping. Sleeps & eats 90% of the time, twitch while sleeping. Beginning to crawl, then stand & walk by day 21. Start to play when eyes open. Can sit. Walking, climbing, playing, may bark, begin to explore environment, mouthing. Normal postural reflexes.
Attitude Quiet, cry infrequently. Quiet. Quiet, more active. Start to develop ‘personalities’
Vision & Hearing No vision but may blink at bright light. No hearing. None to limited vision and hearing, may by waxy discharge. Vision blurry. Respond to sound & startle reflex develops. Approaching full vision and hearing.
Teeth None None Deciduous incisors & canines erupt. Deciduous premolars erupt.
Breeders Interaction Assure pups are nursing. Supplement if necessary. Daily temp, weight, urine & stool character. Begin early neurological stimulation day 2-16. Assure pups are nursing. Supplement if necessary. Daily temp, weight, urine & stool character. Continue early neurological stimulation day 2-16. Continue to assure pups are thriving, begin to enrich environment by variation of toys, surfaces. Begin weaning. Continue to assure pups are thriving, continue to enrich environment. Lots of human interaction for socialisation.
Food & Water Nursing only. If supplementing, 60ml/lb/24hours divided by 12. Fed every 2 hours. Nursing only. If supplementing, 70ml/lb/24 hours divided by 8, fed every 3 hours. Offer water, then gruel to start weaning. If supplementing, 90ml/lb/24 hours divided by 6. Fed every 4 hours. Teething. Many pups weaned, on full food and water, some still nurse for social interaction.