Baby Beagle
Baby Beagles
The baby Beagle is one of the cutest puppies out of all the breeds in the world. When they are born, they are just ounces...very tiny....and their heads are very large in comparison to the rest of their body. The average litter size is 6, so they will usually have plenty of siblings to play with.
Day 1 to Week 2
This is an important phase in the life of a tiny baby Beagle. They are born with no teeth, eyes are closed, they are unable to hear and are not able to walk yet. A healthy puppy will gain weight each day....And this should be checked. It is recommended to mark each pup with a ribbon, string or even a dot of white out so that there are no mistakes about who is who...And to weigh each pup each day to ensure that each is growing.
While one will be tempted to want to pick up and hold these adorable little pups, during the first 2 weeks they need almost constant care by their mother (dam).
She will provide warmth and nutrition. There is always a chance that a baby Beagle will be rejected, sometimes this happens with the smallest one, and if this is the case an owner must take over the responsibility of feeding and giving warmth.
A heating pad, set on medium, and placed UNDER a blanket will work well to keep core body temperature warm enough. Feeding may be done via bottle with canine milk replacer and in some cases, tube feeding must be done before the puppy has matured enough to feed from the bottle.
Week 3
A lot of change have been taking place! By now, eyes have opened. They are hearing and also working on walking. It is normal for them to be wobbly at first as they find their balance and muscles are stretching.
And this play in important. One of the main ways that they play is to nip and bite....And this will help to teach them that using too much strength is not a good thing. When one nips at another too roughly, the other will let out a loud yelp. It is the signal to say, "Don't do that!".
They are still growing rapidly. The majority of growth will be from day one to 6 months of age.
Weeks 4 and 5
The whelping box should be extended to include another area that the pups can go to while still being able to return to the dam to rest and drink. Toys can now be placed there and they will be more receptive to be picked up and cuddled by their human family members. Still small, they best way to do this is to have a good support on their bottom with 1 hand and to have the other hand in front, supporting their body, allowing their front legs and paws to fall over that hand.
The dam will want to and need to get away for longer periods of time now. She should be allowed out of the whelping box not only for bathroom needs but also to get a break from babysitting and slowly get back into her regular schedule. She will still be cleaning her puppies at this time, but that is soon to change.
One of the most important changes will be the start of weaning, which is the process of transitioning from a fluid diet to a solid diet. A baby Beagle will do best if first being given a substance that would be comparable to a soup or watery mashed potatoes. It will take some adjusting to get used to chewing. Less liquid will be added every few days until he or she can handle solid food. It is best to choose 1 brand to feed, as a fast change in food is 1 of the factors that can lead to hypoglycemia.
Week 6
The pup should not be doing well on solid food and since he is spending less time nursing, he will be exploring his new world.
They will be much more independent now, wanting to put that amazing nose to good use as they follow scents around the home. If it has not been done yet, now is the time to puppy proof the house. All small objects should be placed out of reach, cabinets should have locks on them and an owner should scan the floor every day for any objects that could potentially be mouthed can swallowed. This can be anything from a penny to a small sock.
Week 7
The baby Beagle is now not only walking but running around the house. They are becoming familiar with where items are placed. On a fully solid diet now, food and water bowls should be put in 1 area and not moved. It is important hat they know exactly where to go to for their needs.
House training
can begin at this time, however one must understand that the puppy's bowel and bladder muscles are not fully formed....and won't be for several months. However, training must start at some point and at 7 weeks old, a pup can be led outside for their needs.
Week 8
They are now independent enough to live without the dam. She will no longer clean them and this means that the owner will now give baths and perform grooming needs. Solid food is now the norm and a healthy Beagle puppy will have a rounded shape. At about 6 months, weight
increases will slow down but they will continue to grow in height which causes the round puppy shape to change over to a more sleek adult look.
It is at this age that most are able to go to new homes if that is what is planned. Since they are so used to their litter- mates, they will do best in a new enviousness if they have a blanket with the others' scents on it. Sleeping a lot (up to 18 hours a day) but very hyper when awake, a Beagle puppy will now be ready to explore the world and keep their owners busy with command training, housebreaking, play, grooming needs and exercise!
