The first stages of life represent an extremely sensitive period for the physical, immune, and emotional development of puppies and kittens. This protocol promotes early neonatal handling based on a careful balance between appropriate health supervision and respect for the natural adaptation rhythms of the mother and litter.
Key recommendations include avoiding excessive handling during the first days of life, maintaining calm routines, and supporting continuous contact with the mother and littermates whenever possible. Neonatal checks should be brief, gentle, and progressive, avoiding unnecessary stress for both the newborns and the mother.
Special attention should also be given to environmental temperature, hydration, nursing quality, weight evolution, and maternal behavior during the first weeks. The objective is to support a more stable early development process that protects the physical and emotional welfare of animals from the very beginning of life.