Taking care of a pregnant dog properly is an important step to ensure a successful birth. Thorough care, which can last from day 55 to 72, in addition to careful preparation for birth, is key. Before a dog gives birth to puppies, he needs a clean, quiet and proper environment, a proper diet and exercise routine, and quality veterinary care. If you can give all these things, you are ready to help with the birth of puppies and raising them!
Step
Method 1 of 5: Making Preparations for Mating the Dog
Step 1. Make sure the dog you choose is a good candidate
Many dog diseases can be passed from mother to offspring. Have your veterinarian examine your dog before you breed him, to minimize the risk of gene disease in the puppies. Inherited diseases like this can affect bones, joints, heart, teeth, skin, blood cells, kidneys, liver, nervous system (brain and spine), digestive, reproductive, and immune systems. Some common examples include hip dysplasia, allergies, cryptorchidism, and hernias. Certain races also have a higher risk of hereditary diseases.
Think about the personality and behavior of your dog and his partner. Several scientific studies show that aggressiveness can be inherited. You should mate only friendly dogs that do not have a tendency to be aggressive
Step 2. Provide high-quality dog food that has been approved by the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) food tests
For foods that have passed the AAFCO test, there will usually be something like this, “Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that _ provides complete and balanced nutrition for _” proven to contain balanced and complete nutrition for _). Providing quality food before pregnancy can improve the health of both the mother and the puppies.
Step 3. Get to know the facts before mating the dog
Although puppies are very cute, you have to take care of these little animals with a lot of time, attention and effort. Puppies are usually with their mother for 8 weeks after birth, or longer if you are having trouble finding a home. Raising multiple puppies takes a lot of time and energy, in addition to being expensive.
If your dog is having trouble giving birth, take him to get emergency veterinary care immediately. C-sections can be expensive, so keep an emergency fund ready at all times
Step 4. Consider adopting dogs from rescue groups instead of mating with adult dogs
In the US, there is a dog overpopulation problem, which means there are more dogs than the place can accommodate. According to the ASPCA, 1,200,000 dogs are euthanized in shelters each year.
Be aware that this may mean for every puppy born, one more home less for the dog in the shelter
Method 2 of 5: Providing Health Care for Pregnant Dogs
Step 1. Give your dog proper prenatal care
She must be vaccinated before becoming pregnant. This way, your dog and puppies will be protected. Newborn puppies are at a higher risk of serious (even fatal) disease if the mother is not vaccinated.
- Most experts advise against vaccinating pregnant dogs, so vaccines should be given beforehand.
- Get rid of dog worms. Internal parasites (such as roundworms and hookworms) can be passed from mother to puppies. Your veterinarian will prescribe the appropriate treatment to protect your dog and puppies.
- Have your vet run a heartworm test and get treatment right away to prevent it. Heartworm microflaria can be transmitted from mothers to children who are still in the womb, through the placenta.
Step 2. Visit the vet if you think your dog is pregnant
He or she can help verify pregnancy, set a date of birth, discuss any medication changes, and even estimate the number of children. He or she can also help determine if your dog has a false pregnancy, a condition that makes it look and act like it's pregnant when it's not.
- Ultrasound machines can visualize puppy embryos about 3 weeks after pregnancy. The vet may be able to feel the puppies in the tummy within 2-30 days of pregnancy. Unborn puppies can be seen on x-ray after 45 days (5 weeks) of gestation.
- The vet will count the number of fetal skulls to determine the number of puppies that may be born. This way, you can know if everything was born successfully when the time comes. If you hope to get 6 puppies but only 4 come out, you can also know if you should take the mother to the emergency medical care unit.
Step 3. Talk to your vet about ALL of the medications and treatments you give your dog
Some types of medication can be harmful to unborn puppies, as well as cause disability and even death. For example, veterinarians usually recommend keeping your dog on monthly heartworm prevention treatment, but talk to him to be sure.
- Tell your dog all the flea and mite control treatments you are giving and the risk of your dog contracting these parasites. The vet will recommend the right product if treatment is needed. Some examples of products he might recommend for pregnant dogs are FrontlineⓇ Plus Topspot (but not FrontlineⓇ Spray), RevolutionⓇ, ProgramⓇ and CapstarⓇ.
- He or she may suggest using an anti-worm medication in the last trimester of your dog's pregnancy. Fenbendazole is usually considered safe for pregnant dogs and can eradicate the worms that parents can pass on to their offspring.
- Do not give all over-the-counter medications, treatments, or supplements without asking your veterinarian if they are safe for pregnant dogs.
- Do not vaccinate pregnant dogs. Talk to your vet about getting vaccinated if a pregnant dog is too late to get the vaccine.
- If your dog is on long-term medication for a chronic illness, contact your veterinarian immediately to determine whether you should continue or stop the medication.
Step 4. Make sure you know the location of the nearest veterinary emergency department
This unit should be open 24 hours, not a regular vet's office. Be prepared for an emergency, just in case the dog has to give birth at night and has serious complications.
Method 3 of 5: Feeding Pregnant Dogs
Step 1. Check the food label
Make sure this food has passed the food testing of the AAFCO or other official body in your country. If it passes the AAFCO test, the food should read, “Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that _ provides complete and balanced nutrition for _”).
Step 2. Provide normal, high-quality commercial dog food in the first 4 weeks of pregnancy
This commercial dog food is sold in pet food stores as well as supermarkets. These foods generally contain all the necessary nutrients in the right amounts and ratios.
Homemade meals usually do not contain a balanced balance of essential nutrients and should be avoided
Step 3. Use a high quality puppy food in the 5th or 6th week of pregnancy
At this point, the dog needs more nutrition. Food for puppies contains more protein, fat, energy and minerals.
- Now, you should increase your dog's food intake by 20-25%.
- Do not feed large puppies, even if your dog is a large breed. Such foods usually do not contain enough energy or calcium for a pregnant dog.
Step 4. Increase the dog's food intake by another 25% towards the end of the pregnancy, which is the 8th and 9th weeks
At this point, the dog will eat 50% more than when he was not pregnant. For example, if your dog used to eat 2 cups twice a day before becoming pregnant, he will now need 6 cups of food daily in the latter part of his pregnancy.
Since the puppies will squeeze his stomach, he may not be able to eat a lot at once. Divide the food portion into several smaller meals more often to ensure he gets the nutrition he needs. Some dogs will need to be given "free food" at this stage, which means the food will be left out all day so the dog can eat it as needed
Step 5. Do not add vitamins, minerals, or meat unless instructed by your veterinarian
You may think your dog needs extra calcium, and some inaccurate sites suggest it too, but never give this substance. Additional calcium can affect a dog's internal ability to regulate calcium and put him at risk of developing a life-threatening calcium deficiency (a condition known as eclampsia).
Adding meat to your dog's diet causes him to eat less carbohydrates, which reduces his energy intake
Method 4 of 5: Training a Pregnant Dog
Step 1. Don't overdo it
This is especially important after the 6th week of pregnancy. Pregnant dogs should be allowed to rest as needed, as pregnancy is exhausting.
If your dog is a working type, talk to your vet to determine an appropriate exercise plan
Step 2. Keep taking her for walks every day
Walking is a low-intensity exercise suitable for pregnant dogs. Most dogs can continue to walk every day during their pregnancy.
- Choose the right time according to the weather conditions in the area where you live (eg in the morning in the summer, or in the afternoon during the rainy season).
- If your dog was running regularly before getting pregnant, he may continue to do so in the first 4-6 weeks of pregnancy. However, after week 6, stop the running session and replace it with a regular walking session.
Step 3. Keep the dog away from each other in the last 3 weeks of pregnancy and the first 3 weeks after giving birth
This means that you shouldn't take them to meet other dogs or through routes in neighborhoods where dogs are full of fellow dogs. In this way, he will be protected from infectious diseases that can harm both his children and himself.
In addition, pregnant dogs and young puppies may change their behavior. He may be aggressive towards other dogs if he feels the dog is a threat to the safety of his puppies
Method 5 of 5: Providing a Childbirth Box
Step 1. Buy or build a birthing box
This box will be a safe place or "nest" for the dog to give birth. This box should contain a soft bed area and be surrounded by a high wall. You can make your own from plywood or strong plastic, or buy one from a commercial store.
- The box should also be large enough for the dog to fully stretch while still leaving room for the puppies.
- The walls of the box should be high enough to prevent the puppies from climbing out by 6 weeks of age, but short enough for the mother to leave the box at will.
- The walls must be strong and secure so that they don't collapse and crush the puppies.
- If you don't provide a box, your dog may choose a less than ideal location.
Step 2. Make the box as comfortable as possible for the dog and puppies
Line the bottom of the box with a towel. Change and wash towels regularly after the puppies are born. Childbirth and puppies can mess things up, so plan well.
- It is not recommended that you line the box with newspaper. Newspaper is not soft and warm, and the ink can stick to the fur of puppies.
- Keep the floor temperature of the box around 23.8 degrees Celsius. Use low wattage bulbs. For the safety of the mother and her chicks, make sure the floor is not too hot or cold.
Step 3. Place the box in a safe private location
Make sure you have regular access to it to help the dog, but it should still be kept away from distractions and other pets. Let the dog come to the box at least 1-2 weeks before she gives birth. This way, he will get used to it when the time of delivery arrives.
Tips
- Smaller dog breeds usually produce fewer puppies, while larger breeds generally give birth to more puppies. The average puppy count for large breeds is 8-12, while small breeds may only give birth to 1-4.
- The gestation period of a dog is 63 days. However, your dog may be pregnant for 55-72 days after the first fertilization occurs.
- A healthy weight gain during pregnancy is 10-15%. For example, a 10 kg dog should only gain 1-1.5 kg in weight. However, know that pregnancy is not a good time to diet a dog. Talk to your vet if you have any questions about your dog's weight.
Warning
- Stop all flea treatment if advised by your veterinarian! These treatments are sometimes not good for pregnant dogs!
- If your dog needs help, contact the nearest vet immediately. Don't do anything unless you're sure.
