Introduction: Mother Dog’s Refusal to Accept a Puppy

It can be heartbreaking for pet owners to witness a mother dog refusing to accept one of her puppies. While it is a natural instinct of a mother dog to protect her litter, rejection can happen for various reasons. It is important to understand the causes of a mother dog’s rejection and the steps that can be taken to solve the problem and ensure the health and survival of the puppy.

Reasons Why a Mother Dog Rejects a Puppy

There are several reasons why a mother dog may reject one of her puppies. Usually, it is due to the puppy’s appearance or behavior. The puppy may be weaker or smaller than the others, have a different scent, or behave differently. Additionally, the mother dog may be experiencing postpartum stress or health problems, making her less willing to care for all of her puppies. In some cases, the mother dog may simply not have enough milk to feed all of her puppies, leading to her rejection of one or more of them.

Signs of a Mother Dog’s Rejection of a Puppy

It is essential to recognize the signs of a mother dog’s rejection of a puppy early on. Some signs of rejection include the mother dog avoiding the puppy, growling or biting at the puppy, refusing to nurse or clean the puppy, or excessively licking or biting the puppy’s genital area. If a puppy is not receiving adequate care from the mother dog, it may become weak, dehydrated, and malnourished. In severe cases, the puppy may die from neglect or injury caused by the mother dog.