A pregnant dog's instincts will help it respond and get through the pups. The owner must know how to help the dog keep the mother dog and puppies healthy and safe.
Step
Part 1 of 4: Preparing for Birth
Step 1. Take the dog to the vet for examination
Make an appointment with your veterinarian so that your pregnant dog can be examined. The vet will confirm the pregnancy and check for complications.
Step 2. Make a maternity kennel for the dog
Set up a maternity kennel at least a week before you expect your dog to give birth. You need to give your dog the space he needs by laying him on his bed or crate with a towel or blanket to make him comfortable.
Choose a quiet area, such as a separate room, where the dog can have privacy and quiet
Step 3. Prepare food and water in or near the cage
Keep food and water near your dog so he can easily reach them. This will also allow the dog not to leave the puppies to eat and drink.
Step 4. Give puppy food to a pregnant dog
Pregnant dogs should eat a high-quality puppy food that is rich in protein and calcium. This will prepare the body to produce a lot of milk.
Dogs will eat puppy food until the puppies are weaned
Part 2 of 4: Monitoring the Dog During and After Birth
Step 1. Supervise the dog during childbirth
If your dog isn't anxious about your presence, watch your dog while she's giving birth. You don't have to get too close to him. Expect the dog's discomfort during contractions, as would a woman. This is part of the process.
Often puppies are born in the middle of the night while you are sleeping. Make it a habit to check on your dog as soon as you wake up when it's time to give birth
Step 2. Make sure the mother dog cleans her pup immediately
The mother dog should clean her pup immediately after birth. Give it a minute or two to release the pup's membranes and start licking and cleaning the pup. If your dog needs more time than that, you can get involved and remove the membrane and rub the puppy dry and stimulate it to breathe.
If necessary, you can carefully tie the puppy's umbilical cord 2.5 cm long and trim it with clean scissors
Step 3. Make sure the puppy suckles on its mother
Puppies should start feeding within 1-3 hours of being born. You need to place the puppy in front of the mother's nipple and gently squeeze the nipple to release a little milk to guide the puppy.
- If the puppy is really not suckling or the mother doesn't want her to suckle, then there is something wrong with the puppy, such as a cleft palate. Open the puppy's mouth and look at the roof of his mouth. The surface of the palate should be firm with no openings to the sinus cavities. Consult your veterinarian if there is anything you are concerned about.
- You will need to breastfeed your puppy with a tube or bottle filled with special milk for puppies if they are unable to breastfeed or are unwell.
Step 4. Count the puppies
After the puppies are born, count them so you know the exact number. This will help you keep an eye on the puppy.
Step 5. Do not immediately remove the placenta
The mother dog needs to eat the placenta, which is not dangerous. Don't feel like you have to get rid of it right away. If the mother dog doesn't eat the placenta, throw it in the trash.
- Often eating the placenta can cause the mother dog to vomit later.
- Remember, every puppy has its own placenta.
Step 6. Keep the delivery area warm
Puppies cannot regulate their body temperature well and need to be kept warm. For the first few days after birth, keep the cage at around 29 degrees Celsius. Then you can lower the temperature to 23-26 degrees Celsius.
Provide extra warmth with the help of lights in the corner of the cage. If a puppy is cold, he can't move much. Check the crate to make sure it's warm and the puppy stays close to its mother and other puppies
Step 7. Take the mother dog and puppies to the vet for a check-up
Make an appointment with your veterinarian for a checkup after the puppy is born. The vet will make sure the mother dog is recovering normally and the puppy is growing.
Step 8. Keep other dogs away from the mother and puppies
If there is a dog father, make sure he is in a separate area from the mother dog and puppies. Other dogs in the house should not disturb the mother dog and puppies. There is a risk of fighting between adult dogs and a possible risk to the puppies themselves. The mother dog becomes aggressive because it protects her young. This is normal and you shouldn't punish your dog for his instincts.
Mother dog attacks intended to protect their puppies against humans can also occur, so prevent puppies from disturbing the puppies
Step 9. Do not bathe the dog after giving birth
Unless the dog is very dirty, then wait a few weeks to bathe him with a gentle oatmeal shampoo specifically for dogs. Be sure to rinse thoroughly so that no residue remains that the puppy can come into contact with while feeding.
Part 3 of 4: Caring for the Mother Dog
Step 1. Feed the puppy food to the mother dog
Nursing dogs need to eat a high-quality puppy food that is rich in protein and calcium. This will make the mother dog produce milk in large quantities. He must eat puppy food until the puppy is weaned.
- Allow the mother dog to eat as much as she wants, which can often be up to four times more than when she wasn't pregnant. You should not overfeed during this time, because to produce milk requires a lot of calories.
- Note that after the first 24-28 hours after giving birth, the mother dog may not eat much.
Step 2. Do not add calcium supplements to the mother dog's diet
Do not add calcium to the mother dog's diet without consulting your veterinarian. Too much calcium can cause milk fever.
- Milk fever is caused by a significant drop in the blood calcium level and usually appears 2-3 weeks of breastfeeding. The dog's muscles will begin to stiffen and the dog will tremble. This can cause seizures because the level of calcium in the blood is very low.
- If you suspect milk fever, seek immediate veterinary care.
Step 3. Let the mother dog make her own schedule
During the first 2-4 weeks, the mother dog will be very busy watching and caring for her puppies. He would not want to be too far from his children for long. This is important for the mother dog to be able to keep her puppies warm, feed and clean them. Take the mother dog out of the crate for a 5-10 minute bath.
Step 4. Shave the dog's long hair
If your dog has long coat, do a "clean shave" around the tail, hind legs, and mammary glands to keep these areas clean when the puppy is born.
A dog handler or veterinarian can perform this procedure if you are uncomfortable or do not have the equipment
Step 5. Check the mammary glands of the nursing dog every day
A mammary gland infection (mastitis) can appear and be very serious. If you see mammary glands that are very red (or purple), hard, hot, or painful, then there is a problem. Mastitis is often potentially lethal to a nursing mother dog.
If you suspect mastitis, take your dog to the vet immediately. Even if you have to take him to the veterinary hospital, it's bound to happen soon
Step 6. Watch for vaginal mucus
It's normal for you to notice mucus coming out of the mother dog's vagina for a few weeks (up to 8 weeks) after giving birth. This mucus can be reddish-brown in color and appear sticky. Sometimes it smells a little too.
If you notice yellow, green, or gray mucus, or smell a strong odor, take your dog to the vet. The mother dog may have an infection in her uterus
Part 4 of 4: Caring for Newborn Puppies
Step 1. Monitor the puppies who are breastfeeding
Make sure the puppy feeds every few hours for the first few weeks. They should feed at least every 2-4 hours. A happy puppy is a sleeping puppy; if they scream a lot, they may not be getting enough nutrition. Check their chubby little bellies and clean fur for signs they have been well cared for.
- Weigh your puppy on a digital scale to make sure he's gaining enough weight every day. Puppies should weigh twice as much as the first week.
- Don't ignore puppies who appear skinny or less active than other puppies. Take the puppy to the vet immediately. The doctor will provide additional food or other assistance.
Step 2. Monitor for abnormalities in the puppy
If after the first few days, you notice the puppies are growing and there is a puppy that is still small and thin, then this could be a sign of insufficient intake or some other problem. Take the puppy to the vet immediately for examination. Newborn puppies, like human babies, can be sick and dehydrated.
Step 3. Keep the cage clean
As puppies get older and move around more often, the area in their crate gets dirtier. Cleaning the crate after grooming the puppy at least 2-3 times a day will be necessary to keep the crate clean.
Step 4. Handle the puppy to socialize
Puppies need healthy socialization with their new world, including getting to know humans. Hold each puppy several times a day. Get in the habit of touching every part of the puppy's body so that when they're adults, they won't feel weird.
Step 5. Wait until the puppy is 8 weeks old before releasing him
If you are selling or giving a puppy to someone else, wait until it is 8 weeks old before handing it over to a new owner. In some places, such as in California, it is illegal to sell or give away puppies before they reach 8 weeks of age.
- Puppies should be thoroughly weaned and eat their own dog food before going to their new home.
- Starting a dog parasite medication program and vaccination program is often recommended before releasing a puppy. Consult a veterinarian and follow his recommendations.
