We love our pets. Most of them, we have witnessed how they have grown from puppies to mature dogs. As much as we love their company, our pets also have phases in their lives when they also grow and get to have their own pups. Welcoming puppies can be overwhelming and rewarding, but the journey is not especially to the mother dog. As pet owners, a sound understanding of what our pets undergo during their pregnancy is very important. It can be a life-saving moment for your canine as they need the support that they can get during the stages of their pregnancies.
The prospect of having puppies is exciting, but before that, let us see how we can help the mother dog during her pregnancy period.
The most important thing that you must do is that you must be well informed and must understand every information that you need regarding your pet’s pregnancy.
Know the Symptoms
The most important thing to know above everything else is to know if your dog is pregnant. If you suspect that your dog is pregnant, try to see your vet. The most noticeable symptom that your dog may be pregnant changes in appetite, it may gain weight and has enlarged abdomens, discolored and enlarged nipples, unusual behavior, and nesting behaviors. If your dogs are showing these symptoms, better see a vet so that you can have proper medical prescriptions if your dog needs it or get expert advice on how to let them stay healthy during the pregnancy period. The vet will be able to walk through the stages of pregnancy, which is very important for you as a responsible dog owner.
As soon as you have confirmed that your dog is expecting little pups in due time, it is now your duty to take care of the mother dog.
Caring for a Pregnant Dog
The excitement of expecting new pups can be overwhelming, but before that, make sure that both the mother and the pups stay healthy during the pregnancy period. So what should you do to take care of them?
Visit the Vet
Bringing your dog to the vet does not only mean that you get tips on how to take care of them at home, but it is also the best way of monitoring your dog’s health. A regular visit to your doctor can make help your dogs stay healthy during the period of pregnancy. The vet can also complications during the pregnancy or if your dog is showing signs of discomfort. This is a crucial period, and emergencies happen during pregnancy. During vet visits, it will help you ask your doctor what to do in case of an emergency.
Cultivate a Healthy, Low-Stress Environment
The vet will tell you which food is healthy for your dog. Make sure that you follow your vet’s order and provide your dog with healthy foods and let them take their vitamins religiously. Avoid stressful and strenuous activities for your mother’s dog. As much as possible, no running or strenuous playtime for them, especially during the 2nd month of pregnancy. Avoid feeding your dog with raw foods during pregnancy and lactating period. Make sure that you consult your vet regarding your dog’s diet during their pregnancy period.
Prepare a Warm and Comfortable Place
A dog’s gestation period is relatively about 55 to 70 days. During the pregnancy, period makes sure to prepare a nice, warm, and comfortable place for your dog. You may want to have a comfortable place for your dog as soon as she gives birth. If the pregnancy shows no complications and mother dog can deliver the pups at home, make sure that you have a clean and comfortable place for mommy dogs during the delivery period. Prepare the whelping area days before the delivery time so that your dog can get accustomed to it.
Prepare to Receive Puppies
As your dog is now giving birth, how can you help? Watch out for labor times. Pregnant dogs may stop eating for a few days before labor. They pant heavily, and their temperature may drop at about 100-to-102.5 degrees Fahrenheit to 99 degrees Fahrenheit or even lower. More or less, after that, your dog may finally give birth.
Puppy Supplies
Finally, as your dog gives birth, and as the new pups come, prepare a clean and dry towel to clean the puppies. The mother dog usually eats the placenta. The labor and the birthing process can be exhausting, so make sure that the mother dog gets a good rest. The new puppies usually get food from the mother, but sometimes the mother produces little milk, so the vet may have recommended formula milk that can substitute for breast milk.
Be very observant if your dog is showing signs of discomfort during labor. Shaking, trembling, and shivering are common signs that the dog may have serious complications that may put her and the puppies in danger. As soon as you see these symptoms, call your vet right away.
Having cute little puppies can be fun and exciting, but prior to that, pregnancy is a serious matter. Pregnancy can be stressful not just for the dog but for the pert owner as well. As a responsible pet owner, we want our dogs to experience a safe pregnancy. It doesn’t have to be stressful for the dog owner and the dog. Having the right information and knowing what to do ahead of time will help you provide the best care for your dog.
