Basset Hound Gets A Break From Her Puppies So They Find A New 'Mama' To Cuddle
We all need a break sometimes — whether that's a break from work, school, or a very new litter of puppies. Now, that last point is in reference to a dog, not a human — a Basset hound to be exact! In one incredibly popular TikTok, we get to see what happens when this mom of many decides to take a break. This break involves a temporary, adopted mom for her puppies — but she's not another dog.
@amber_nunnally
Imagine an adoptive cat mom to a new litter of puppies. Now, it may sound out there, but that's exactly what's happened. TikTok creator Amber Nunnally noted she had returned to the pet pen to bring the puppies back to their mom after giving her a break, only to find all of them cuddling with their adoptive mom — a cat! Based on those sleepy little faces, everyone was quite comfortable, too.
Many viewers agreed that this cat thought they were her actual babies, which is super cute. Plus, commenters remarked that she still "had the babies lying down and quiet," which is all that matters. An added bonus, though? The mom probably really needed that break!
How to care for new puppies
Those tiny pups were so comfortable with their temporary adopted mom, which is great news, because like all other newborns, a new litter of puppies have a lot more growing to do. It's often recommended that puppies be no younger than eight weeks before they go to their new forever homes. Many pet parents may not know what happens in those first weeks that a puppy is here on Earth. Here are some things you can expect, and tips on how to care for newborn puppies during that time.
Puppies require a lot of care and attention, especially in the first four weeks (known as the neonatal and transitional stages). During this time, puppies are expected to gain weight every single day, as this is a sign of healthy development. They'll also sleep up to 90% of the day, and they need every bit of it! Proper sleep is what helps these cuties develop new cognitive abilities and a strong immune system.
After four weeks, it's time to start introducing puppies to solid food and weaning them off of their mother's milk. Then, at about six to eight weeks, it's time for your pup's first-ever immunizations. If you need advice, here's a comprehensive guide to puppy vaccinations to get you started. Around six to eight weeks is also the beginning of the socialization period, so puppies are totally encouraged to begin meeting other dogs with a known vaccine history. That's right, those little pups will grow up in the blink of an eye!