Recognising and Managing Hypothermic Puppies
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Hypothermic Puppies: What Breeders Need to Know
Learn how to identify, treat and prevent hypothermia in newborn puppies. Essential advice for breeders and new puppy carers.
Newborn puppies are especially vulnerable to temperature fluctuations. Without the ability to regulate their body temperature, they rely entirely on their environment—and their carer—for warmth. Hypothermia, or low body temperature, can quickly become life-threatening. Understanding the signs, treatment and prevention of hypothermia is crucial for anyone raising neonates.
What Causes Hypothermia in Puppies?
Puppies are born wet, with little body fat and an underdeveloped ability to shiver. If they’re not immediately dried, warmed, and kept in a stable environment, their body temperature can drop quickly.
Common causes include:
- Cold or draughty whelping area
- Separation from mum and littermates
- Poor maternal care
- Inadequate heating support
- Puppies being too weak to move toward warmth
Recognising the Signs of Hypothermia
Hypothermia can be mild, moderate or severe depending on the drop in temperature. Normal newborn puppy temperature ranges from 35.5°C to 37.2°C in the first week of life.
Watch for:
- Cool skin, especially on the paws, ears and tongue
- Weak cry or no cry
- Lethargy or inability to suckle
- Poor muscle tone
- Cold abdomen when touched
- Slow or irregular breathing
- Unresponsiveness or coma (in severe cases)
Always use a rectal digital thermometer to confirm if hypothermia is present.
What to Do If a Puppy Is Hypothermic
Immediate warming is critical—but must be done gradually. Rapid warming can cause shock or heart failure.
Steps to follow:
- Move the puppy away from any draughts.
- Wrap it in a thermal shock blanket or warm dry, soft towel or place in a warm pouch.
- Use a safe heating method: a heat mat (set to 37°C or under), warm water bottle wrapped in cloth, or a neonatal incubator.
- Monitor temperature every 10–15 minutes.
Once the puppy reaches at least 35°C, you can offer warm formula using a Miracle Nipple or feeding tube. Never feed a cold puppy—this can cause gut shutdown.
If the puppy doesn't respond, or if its breathing or heart rate slows, seek veterinary support immediately.
Preventing Hypothermia in Newborn Puppies
Prevention is always better than cure. Setting up a stable, warm environment is one of the most important steps in raising healthy puppies.
Maintain a consistent ambient temperature in the whelping box (see our Heating & Critical Care range).
Keep newborns at:
- 29–32°C during the first week
- 27–29°C in the second week
- 24–27°C by week three and onward
Always dry pups immediately after birth.
Ensure mum has access but doesn’t accidentally crush or smother pups.
Monitor temperature in the whelping area by using a thermometer hygrometer with a probe which takes the temperature inside the whelping box as well as in the whelping room.
Final Thoughts
Hypothermia is a serious but preventable condition. With prompt care, many chilled puppies can recover fully. By staying informed and prepared, you’ll be giving your litter the best possible start.