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Does the Smallest Puppy in a Litter Stay the Smallest?

In one word, the answer is “No.” In most cases, the smallest puppy in a litter will outgrow his siblings.

Despite the puppy’s low birth weight, with proper care and help, the runt of the litter should grow to be as healthy as any other puppy.

Keep on reading to discover all about it in this article!

litter of puppies

Can the Smallest Puppy in the Litter Grow?

The size of a newborn puppy doesn’t influence his mature size. During the first six months, a puppy will go through drastic changes in size and weight.

That said, some significant variables can influence your puppy's growth, including:

Your Puppy’s Health

If your puppy doesn’t suffer from any illnesses, his growth rate should be pretty rapid. However, some medical conditions may stunt a puppy’s growth.

Parasitic Infection

Puppies can contract infections either from their environment or their mothers.

For instance, intestinal worm infections caused by roundworm and hookworm can significantly hinder a puppy’s growth.

If a puppy suffers from a heavy worm infestation, it’ll have a poor appetite and won’t eat enough to grow healthily.

Fortunately, once the infection clears up, the puppy should grow normally.

Portosystemic Shunt

Congenital portosystemic shunt (CPSS) is a congenital defect caused by the inability of the liver to detoxify the blood. One of its significant clinical symptoms is stunted growth in puppies.

If left untreated, this problem will persist into adulthood, with the dog remaining small in the figure.

Treating CPSS includes a low-protein diet, lactulose administration, and antibiotics. With early diagnosis and proper treatment, the puppy can avoid growth abnormalities.

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Your Puppy’s Breed

Your puppy’s breed will influence many aspects of his life, including his size.

For some breeds, puppies will only grow to be a few inches tall and still maintain an active manner.

group of pugs

These breeds include:

Still, despite their already small size, such breeds of dogs can give birth to a runt of the litter. As with any other large breed, these smaller-than-average puppies will grow to be the same size as their littermates.

Why Are There Runt Puppies in the Litter?

Human siblings seldom turn out to be the same size, and puppies are no different.

Still, there are a few probable reasons why one puppy may be smaller than the others.

Puppies Blood Supply in the Womb

Your puppy acquires his nutrients in the womb through the placental blood flow.

According to one theory, a puppy’s position in the Y-shaped uterus influences the number of nutrients he receives.

It suggests that the puppy that stays in the middle of the womb is the furthest away from the nutritious blood supply.

Nevertheless, some people doubt this theory because puppies are constantly moving and changing positions in the womb.

The Size Difference Between the Parents

When you mate a large breed with a small one, you're likely to get a litter with a significant size variation between puppies.

Is the Smallest Puppy in the Litter More Aggressive?

No scientific evidence supports the claim that runts are more aggressive. However, a University of Helsinki study found that smaller dogs exhibit more aggressive behavior than larger dogs.

If you think about it, you’ll realize that maybe runt puppies need to be more aggressive!

These little fellas need to protect themselves from the bigger puppies in the litter. They must also fight for milk to feed.

Still, that doesn’t mean your smallest puppy will turn savage. Your training will ultimately determine your dog’s behavior.

How To Take Care of the Smallest Puppy in the Litter

small white dog puppy

The runt puppy can be as healthy as any other puppy in the litter. All it takes is a little extra tender loving care.

Now, let’s go over a few factors you should keep in mind when raising the smallest puppy in the litter.

Is Your Puppy Nursing?

It’s pivotal that you check your smallest puppy’s ability to feed during the first two days after birth.

During that period, the mother produces colostrum, a nutrient-rich milk stream high in immunoglobulins and nutrition for newborn puppies.

The smallest puppy will probably have a weaker bone structure and weigh 25% less than his siblings. As a result, the puppy may not be able to reach the mother's teat, compromising his nutrition.

Is the Mother Rejecting the Puppy?

A dam can have up to 12 puppies per litter. Naturally, the mother will sense if one of the puppies is weaker than the others.

In most cases, she’ll focus more on the healthier puppies and ignore the smaller ones.

That’s why you’ll need to ensure that your puppy can nurse normally and that the mother isn't rejecting it.

As a caregiver, you should try massaging the runt's body to stimulate his blood circulation. You should also try to place the neglected runt at the mother’s teat. This may motivate her to take care of him.

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Is Your Puppy Gaining Weight Normally?

Even if your puppy was born underweight, it doesn't mean that he won't gain weight in the days following birth.

Your puppy should have at least a 4% weight increase during the first 48 hours. After ten days, your runt’s weight should be double his birth weight.

If you’re hitting a rough patch with your puppy’s weight, hand-feeding is a great option.

One great way to provide your dog with the extra caloric intake he needs is using nutritional gels. These gels are gel formulas that you put on your dog’s nose or mouth to provide extra nutrition.

 dog sitting on weight scales

Should You Get the Smallest Puppy in the Litter?

If you’re planning on getting the smallest puppy in the litter, there are some factors you should take into consideration.

Who Is the Breeder?

Adopting the litter’s runt could be quite tricky.

Even though these tiny puppies are adorable, an extremely underweight puppy is at a higher risk of mortality.

A reputable breeder should be honest about all the details concerning the puppy’s condition. That includes disclosing any health conditions that the puppy might suffer from.

Are You Prepared for the Responsibility?

Having such a challenging puppy can be quite a hassle. As we mentioned above, you’ll need to monitor your puppy closely and constantly.

So, we highly encourage you to assess your abilities before deciding to adopt the smallest puppy in the litter.