My dog had puppies, why are they in different piles? Should I worry?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is normal behavior for dogs. When there is that many puppies it’s hard to avoid them all. It will be ok, mama will move the puppies if needed. Congrats and kisses to Kimber and her pups!

Hello. Is this Khaleesi's first litter? She may just be inexperienced, & probably still a little uncomfortable from her labor. As long as she is very intent on carry for her babies, she may neglect herself for a day or so. When she gets hungry, she will leave her babies for a few minutes. Give her a little more time. Thanks for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Hello. 8 puppies is a pretty good litter. If Mom seems content caring for her newborns, then I would not be too concerned. It is never a bad idea to have everyone checked in the next couple of days, but there is no hurry to do so as long as puppies are nursing & Louie is eating well. I should mention that with this many puppies, she should be on a puppy food for the extra calories, but no other supplements unless your vet recommends them. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Some dogs are just not great mothers. A lot of times this behavior is repetitive with subsequent litters so I would consider spaying her after the puppies are weaned. She could start to improve in her habits but she may not. Sadly you will have to do more work if she won't cleaning them, etc. Hopefully she is at least letting them nurse. You can encourage her to lay in the whelping box with them more. It is ok for her to leave them for periods of time. Be sure Loki is eating high quality puppy food and that all of her mammary glands feel normal. Also be sure the puppies are having normal stool. I hope this helps and I wish Loki and her pups the best!

Hello. Yes, this is fine. Unfortunately, not all dogs make good mothers, so if splitting up the litter makes it easier on the people that have to care for the puppies, then I think this is a good plan. When the puppies are a little older & getting close to weaning age around 3-4 weeks old, you can put them together, if you want. Otherwise, there will be no problems keeping them separated. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Sometimes mamas will separate a puppy that is not doing well, so if this puppy seems smaller than the others or isn’t eating as well I’d recommend having it examined by your vet. It could also be a behavior quirk of hers, sonif the puppy seems normal otherwise I wouldn’t worry too much.

Hello. You have beautiful puppies & have done a great job raising them. If your veterinarian detected no abnormalities in the smaller puppy that concerned him, like a heart murmur or enlarged liver on general palpation, then I would not be concerned at all. Many times a smaller sibling will grow to eventually catch up to or surpass the larger one. I have definitely seen this in the larger breeds such as shepherds & malamutes. But given that nutrition has been the same to both puppies, it may just be a normal genetic difference in the size disparity. Do not worry. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.