Giving birth to puppies at home can be exciting, but it is important that you provide good care for both the mother and the puppies. Good quality care can ensure the health and safety of both. The methods described in this article can help you prepare your dog and home to “welcome” newborn puppies, as well as take care of the puppies.
Step
Method 1 of 6: Preparing the Delivery Box
Step 1. Choose a crib that is large enough and comfortable for your dog
A delivery box (or whelping box) is a box that dogs use when giving birth. The box also keeps the puppies warm and prevents them from being crushed by the mother.
- The box used must have four sides and a floor or bottom. Choose a box with a length and width that allows the mother to lie down with her head and legs outstretched. In addition, it's a good idea to use a box that is 1.5 times the height of the mother's body so that the remaining space can be used as a place for the newborn puppies.
- Make sure the walls or sides of the box are high enough for the puppies to stay in the box, but the mother can easily get out of the box.
- You can buy a birthing kit at almost any pet store. In addition to the delivery box, you can also use a cardboard box, or make your own from wooden boards or plywood. Prepare two large strong boxes, such as television boxes or other household appliance boxes (eg radio or refrigerator). Cut one side of each square and glue the two together to form one long box.
Step 2. Make room for the puppies
Puppies need a safe space in the box that their mother won't occupy or sleep in (of course, puppies will have a hard time breathing if they get crushed). Mark the additional width on the box, and install a small strong wooden fence about 10-15 centimeters from the bottom of the box to separate the space from the main room.
- The broom handle can also be used as a fence or divider on a box.
- This separation is important, especially when the puppies are over two weeks old and moving around a lot.
Step 3. Line the base of the delivery box
Line the box with lots of newsprint and some thick towels. Alternatively, use a product such as Vetbed (a kind of polyester wool fabric that absorbs moisture from the body of the mother dog and puppies).
Step 4. Place a heating rug in the area for the puppies
After you have prepared a special room for the puppies, place a heating rug under the newspaper placed in the room. After the puppies are born, turn on the heating rug on a low heat. This is done to keep the puppies warm when they are away from their mother.
- Alternatively, you can also use a heating lamp instead of a heating rug. Point the light at the side of the box (which is used as a place for the puppies) to provide warmth. However, the lamp produces dry heat, which can dry out the puppies' skin. If you need to use the lamp, make sure you check the puppies' condition and see if there is any sign of redness or dry skin. Turn off the lights if such skin conditions begin to appear.
- To provide temporary warmth, use a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel.
Step 5. Provide a cover or “roof” for the crib opening
During labor, the mother dog may want to feel like she is in the nest. This can make him feel safe so that the delivery process can take place more smoothly. Partially cover the top opening of a towel box or large blanket so that there is a covered area.
Step 6. Place the delivery box in a quiet room
The mother dog should not be disturbed while giving birth so choose a quiet room to place the box.
Step 7. Provide food and water near the box
Make sure there is food and water available near the box so the dog can eat or drink easily. Actually you can just put food and water in the usual place. However, by making sure the dog knows that there is food and water near the birthing box, he can certainly feel more calm and comfortable in the moments before or during the birthing process.
Method 2 of 6: Preparing for Labor
Step 1. Let the dog check the litter box
About two weeks before delivery, let her check and identify the delivery box provided. Make sure the box is placed in a quiet place or room. She needs to nest in a quiet place before delivery.
Step 2. Put her favorite snack in the box
To get him used to the box, periodically place treats in the box. This way, he'll associate the box as a quiet place with fun things (in this case, snacks).
Step 3. Let your dog choose a place to give birth to his puppies
Don't worry if she doesn't want to give birth in the delivery box provided. He will choose a place that he feels safe. Maybe she wants to give birth to her children behind the couch or under the bed. As long as he is in a safe place and is not at risk of injury or injury, let him choose his own place.
If you try to move him, he will feel pressured. This can slow or, even, stop labor
Step 4. Always have a flashlight ready
If your dog wants to give birth under the bed or behind the couch, it's a good idea to provide a flashlight. This way, you can easily check its condition.
Step 5. Always keep your vet's contact number
Save the vet's phone number on your phone (or set it to a speed dial number) or stick the number on the refrigerator. If at any time there is an emergency, you must have this number.
Talk to your vet about how to find your dog (including puppies) if she gives birth at night
Step 6. Ask an adult to supervise the delivery process
Make sure there is a trusted person who can accompany the dog to make sure the delivery process goes smoothly. The person should be familiar with your dog. Limit the number of people entering and leaving the room. Too many people in the room can stress and distract the dog, which may delay labor.
Step 7. Do not bring guests to watch the labor process
Your dog will need to concentrate in order to give birth to her puppies. Do not invite neighbors, children or other friends to watch it. This can distract her and put her under stress so that labor may be delayed.
Method 3 of 6: Providing Care in the First Few Postnatal Days
Step 1. Do not excise the placenta or the puppies
Cuts made before the elastic blood vessel walls have contracted are more likely to trigger bleeding in puppies. Therefore, keep the placenta attached to the puppy's body. Eventually, the placenta will dry up, shrivel up and fall off.
Step 2. Do nothing to the puppy's belly button
You do not need to apply a disinfectant product to the navel and base of the puppy's placenta. If the birthing box is kept clean, the puppy's belly button will remain healthy.
Step 3. Replace the towels and newsprint in the delivery box
It is important that you keep the box clean after the puppies are born. However, you also need to be careful not to disturb the mother too much after birth. When the mother comes out of the box to defecate, throw away the soiled towel and replace it with a clean one. Also, throw away your dirty paper and replace it with new newsprint as soon as possible.
Step 4. Let the mother and the chicks familiarize themselves with each other in the first 4-5 days
The first few days of a puppy's life are important for developing a bond with their mother. As much as possible try to leave your dog and puppies alone for the first few days postpartum.
Limit physical interaction with children in the first few days. Hold the puppies only when you need to clean the birthing box which, usually, needs to be done on the third day after delivery
Step 5. Check and make sure the puppies are getting enough warmth
Use your hands to feel his body. A cold puppy will feel cool or cold to the touch. In addition, a cold puppy may also be unresponsive and very quiet. On the other hand, overheated puppies have red ears and tongues. He will also squirm a lot in an attempt to distance himself from the heat source.
- A newborn puppy's body temperature ranges from 34 to 37 degrees Celsius. At the age of two weeks, his body temperature will rise to 38 degrees Celsius. However, you don't have to check her temperature with a thermometer. If you have specific questions or concerns, try talking to your vet.
- If you use a heating lamp, be sure to check the puppies regularly for signs of redness or dry skin. If this skin condition occurs, turn off the heating lamp.
Step 6. Adjust the room temperature
Newborn puppies can't regulate their own body temperature and feel cold easily. Without the mother, you will need to provide a source of warmth for the newborn puppies.
- Adjust the room temperature so that you are comfortable enough to wear shorts and a t-shirt.
- Provide an additional source of heat to the puppy's box by placing a heating pad under the base of the box. Set it to a low heat level to prevent overheating. As a newborn puppy, he cannot immediately move and change places when he feels hot.
Step 7. Weigh the body every day
Use a postal scale to weigh each puppy every day for the first three weeks. Record each puppy's weight to make sure all puppies are in good shape and getting adequate nutrition. Clean the cross-section of the scale before you weigh the puppies. You can use a household disinfectant to clean it, then dry the surface before use.
Watch for regular weight gain every day. However, don't panic if your puppy doesn't gain weight in a day or, in fact, loses a few grams. As long as the puppy looks happy and is still suckling at its mother, wait and re-weigh the next day. If he doesn't gain weight, try calling your vet
Step 8. Make sure guests who visit and see the puppy don't spread harmful germs
Guests who come to see the new puppies are more likely to spread the infection. The shoes you wear or your hands may carry certain bacteria or viruses.
- Ask guests to remove their shoes before entering the room where the mother dog is.
- Also, ask guests to wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water before touching or handling puppies. Physical interactions with puppies also need to be limited.
Step 9. Do not bring in any pets that do not belong to your relatives or family members
Other animals can carry diseases and bacteria that are risky for newborn puppies. Even mother dogs that have just given birth are susceptible to disease and, if they do get sick, the virus or bacteria can pass it on to their puppies. Therefore, keep other animals that are not the pets of your relatives or family members in the first few weeks after giving birth.
Method 4 of 6: Helping a Puppy Learn How to Breastfeed
Step 1. Help the puppy put his mouth on the mother's nipple
Newborn puppies still can't see and hear, and can't walk until about 10 days old. Therefore, it wiggles its body to find its mother's nipple and suckles. Sometimes, puppies need a little help figuring out how to suckle.
- First wash and dry your hands before helping him. Take the puppy and place it with its head against the mother's nipple. The puppy may show exploratory movements with his mouth, but if he hasn't found his mother's nipple yet, carefully tilt his head so that his lips are against the mother's nipple.
- You may have to remove some of the mother's milk from the nipple. After that, the puppy can smell it and try to put its mouth on the mother's nipple.
- If the puppy's mouth is still not latching on and sucking on its mother's nipple, carefully insert your finger into one corner of its mouth to allow it to open slightly. After that, put his mouth on the mother's nipple and release your finger. Puppies will usually start suckling.
Step 2. Supervise the puppies while they are feeding on their mother
Remember every puppy and nipple he sucks. The nipple at the back produces more milk than the nipple at the front. Therefore, puppies who suck milk from the front nipple may get less milk than puppies that suck milk from the back nipple.
If a puppy isn't gaining the same amount or developmental weight as the other puppies, try encouraging the puppy to suckle on the back of the mother's nipple
Step 3. Do not combine breastfeeding with bottle feeding
When a mother dog feeds her puppies, her body produces milk. When breastfeeding decreases, milk production also decreases. If milk production is reduced, there is a risk that the mother's body will stop producing enough milk to meet the nutritional needs of the puppies.
Only bottle feed if it is absolutely essential. Bottle feeding can be done when there are puppies who are not strong enough to compete with their siblings when they want to suckle from their mother. Bottle feeding can also be done when the mother gives birth to more puppies than the number of nipples
Step 4. Place food and water where the mother dog can reach
The mother dog may be reluctant to leave her puppies so make sure she can get her food and water easily. Sometimes, the mother dog won't come out of her box for the first 2-3 days postpartum. If your dog won't move, put the food and water in the box.
The puppies can see their mother while she is eating
Step 5. Let the puppies identify and investigate their mother's food
For 3-4 weeks, the puppies will depend completely on their mother's milk for the nutrients they need. At the end of this period, the puppies can begin to recognize and examine their mother's food. This is part of the weaning process. At that age, the puppies are no longer considered “baby” dogs.
Method 5 of 6: Caring for a Puppy Abandoned by its Mother
Step 1. Be prepared to provide 24-hour care
If you have to care for and raise a puppy yourself, be prepared to show a lot of hard work and commitment, especially in the first 2 weeks after the puppy is born. Initially, puppies need 24 hour care.
- You may need to take time off to care for your puppy as he needs (almost) constant care in the first 2 weeks postpartum.
- Consider this before you breed the brood. If you can't commit to caring for puppies whose mothers have died, don't breed them.
Step 2. Buy a milk substitute
If existing puppies are abandoned by their mother, you will need to provide an appropriate milk replacement. Ideally, you will need to prepare a replacement dog milk. The product is usually available in the form of a powder (Lactol) that needs to be dissolved in boiling water (very similar to how infant formula is prepared).
- Supplement products are widely available at veterinary clinics or large pet stores.
- Do not use cow's milk, goat's milk, or infant formula as the formulas are not suitable for puppies.
- In the meantime, you can use a mixture of evaporated milk and boiling water while you search for the right milk substitute. Mix evaporated milk and boiling water in a 4:1 ratio.
Step 3. Feed the puppies every 2 hours
Puppies need to feed every 2 hours. This means, you need to feed him 12 times in 1 day.
Follow the directions on the package to make a milk substitute (usually 30g of powdered milk mixed with 105ml of boiling water)
Step 4. Watch for signs that the puppy is hungry
Hungry puppies are usually noisy. It will squeak and whine; these two things are usually done to call his mother to breastfeed him. If your puppy seems to be shaking and whining, and hasn't eaten for 2-3 hours, he is probably hungry and needs to be fed.
The shape of the belly can be a clue to you. Since puppies have little body fat, their stomachs will appear flat or sunken when empty. When the stomach is full, it will bulge (like a barrel)
Step 5. Use bottles and pacifiers specially designed for puppies
A pacifier designed for puppies is softer than a pacifier designed for human babies. Such pacifiers can be purchased from veterinary clinics or large pet stores.
In an emergency, you can use a dropper to feed the puppies. However, this option should actually be avoided because it risks making the puppy suck in too much air instead of milk. If too much air is inhaled, the stomach may swell and become painful
Step 6. Let the puppy eat until he stops feeding himself
Follow the directions on the milk substitute packaging to find out the approximate amount to give your puppy. However, as a general rule, it's a good idea to let him feed until he's no longer hungry. He will stop breastfeeding when he feels full.
Chances are your puppy will fall asleep, and ask for food when he's hungry again (or, at least, within 2-3 hours)
Step 7. Wipe the puppy's face after eating
After the puppy has finished eating, wipe his face with a cotton swab dipped in warm water. This scrubbing mimics the process of cleaning a puppy by its mother, and reduces the risk of skin infections.
Step 8. Sterilize all nursing equipment
Clean and sterilize all equipment used for feeding puppies. Use a liquid disinfectant product designed for baby feeding, or use a steam sterilizer.
Alternatively, you can sterilize the equipment by immersing it in boiling water
Step 9. Clean the puppy's bottom before and after feedings
Puppies cannot urinate or defecate spontaneously so they need to be encouraged to do so. The mother dog usually encourages it by licking the puppy's perianal area (the area under the tail, where the anus is). This process is usually done before and after breastfeeding.
Wipe the puppy's bottom with a cotton swab soaked in warm water, before and after the puppy eats or feeds. The rubbing can encourage the puppy to pass feces and urine. After that, clean the dirt or urine that comes out
Step 10. Begin to extend the gap between meals in the third week
As the puppy grows, his stomach will expand and can accommodate more food. In the third week, feed the puppies about every 4 hours.
Step 11. Check and make sure the puppies are getting enough warmth
Use your hands to feel the puppy's body. A cold puppy will feel cold to the touch. He also may not show much response and very calm. On the other hand, if the puppy feels hot, his ears and tongue will turn red. He will also squirm a lot in an attempt to distance himself from the heat source.
- A newborn puppy's body temperature ranges from 34 to 37 degrees Celsius. At the age of two weeks, his body temperature will rise to 38 degrees Celsius. However, you don't have to check her temperature with a thermometer. If you have specific questions or concerns, try talking to your vet.
- If you use a heating lamp, be sure to check the puppies regularly for signs of redness or dry skin. If this skin condition occurs, turn off the heating lamp.
Step 12. Adjust the room temperature
Newborn puppies can't regulate their own body temperature and feel cold easily. Without the mother, you will need to provide a source of warmth for the newborn puppies.
- Adjust the room temperature so that you are comfortable enough to wear shorts and a t-shirt.
- Provide an additional source of heat to the puppy's box by placing a heating pad under the base of the box. Set it to a low heat level to prevent overheating. As a newborn puppy, he cannot immediately move and change places when he feels hot.
Method 6 of 6: Providing Health Care for Puppies
Step 1. Give deworming products to puppies after 2 weeks
Dogs can carry worms and other parasites that cause health problems. Therefore, it is recommended that you give deworming medicine once the puppy is old enough. There are no recommended deworming products for baby dogs. However, you can give a product such as fenbendazole (Panacur) when the puppy is 2 weeks old.
Panacur is sold in a liquid form that can be injected or dropped into the puppy's mouth after he has fed or fed. For every 1 kilogram of body mass, the daily dose that can be given is 2 milliliters. Give the drug once a day for 3 days
Step 2. Wait until the puppy is 6 weeks old before you treat the fleas
Flea treatment should not be performed on baby puppies. Usually flea products can be used when the dog reaches a certain age or weight. In addition, there are currently no anti-flea products that are suitable for baby dogs.
- Puppies need to be (at least) 6 weeks old before you can use a lambectin product (in the UK it is known as Stronghold, in the US it is known as Revolution).
- For fipronil products (eg Frontline), puppies must be (at least) 8 weeks old and weigh over 2 kilograms.
Step 3. Start immunizing when the puppy is 6 weeks old
Puppies get a certain level of immunity from their mothers, but they still need additional immunizations to maintain their health. Visit your veterinarian for the right immunization schedule for your puppy.
