Fostering litters
If a new mother dies or isn’t taking care of her young, try fostering the pups:
- If possible, select a foster mother with a different coat color and a natural litter as close as possible to the same age as the foster pups.
- Remove as many pups from the natural litter as you have foster pups, to keep the final litter size manageable for the foster mother. If the litter to be fostered is large, consider dividing it between two foster mothers.
- Combine the remaining natural litter with the foster pups and gently intermingle them with soiled shavings (including feces) from the foster cage, then place them together with the foster mother.
- Replace the cage and do not disturb.
- Check the pups after a few hours (without disturbing the cage). If the foster mother has gathered the pups together, she will likely care for them.
