Why does the Momma dog move a puppy away?

by Stephanie
(Dahlonega,GA, USA)

Our momma chihuahua keeps moving the runt puppy away from the others.

Why?

Hi Stephanie
The momma dog can sense if something is wrong with a puppy, and nature isn't very accommodating when there's a sickly infant - the strong survive and the weak are eliminated.

Your dog is being compelled by instinct to reject this puppy and that's why she's moving it away. Of course, humans don't think that way and if she refuses to feed this pup you can ask your vet for help.

If your vet thinks the puppy is basically healthy, with no life-threatening defects, you can try to feed and raise it yourself.



Bottle feeding or tube feeding with a puppy replacement formula can be tricky, but many puppies are raised that way.

Good luck, I hope your little runt makes
it.