For the most part, dogs are able to handle the last stages of pregnancy, labor and delivery without needing too much assistance from their owners. Unless you have one of the breeds that, due to inbred body changes (such as English Bulldogs), need direct veterinary intervention to delivery their young, your dog probably can take care of having puppies by herself.
There are some things you can, however, do to help your pregnant dog have a safe and healthy pregnancy and delivery and to help the puppies get the best possible start in life.
Things You'll Need
- Yogurt
- Quality dog food
- Dog vitamins
- Prepared whelping space
- Old newspaper
- Dry towels
Instructions
Increase the pregnant mother's calcium intake. Forming puppies need calcium to grow bones, so the mother's system must provide it. Help your pregnant dog provide the calcium she needs for her puppies by giving her a spoonful or two of plain yogurt at every meal. Continue with the yogurt until the puppies are weaned--she'll still need the calcium to safely produce enough milk for her litter.
Increase her food. Not only are the unborn pups draining your pregnant dog of calcium, they also are demanding extra nutrients. She truly is eating for four--or eight. Make sure she has extra, high-quality food to meet that demand.
Add a vitamin to your dog's daily regimen. A dog vitamin--either all-purpose or one formulated especially for pregnant moms--will help your mom-to-be and the puppies get all the nutrients they need.
Set up a whelping box. Not that setting up a whelping box with sides high enough to confine the puppies and cushioned with a soft blanket or towel guarantees that your dog will actually use it when the time comes for her to give birth, but it's nice to be prepared. You always can encourage your pregnant dog to move her new family into it after the puppies are born.
Be prepared for the arrival of the puppies. Your dog usually can handle labor and delivery on her own, but if you and your dog have a close relationship, she might appreciate your presence and help. Newsprint is sterile, so have a stack of relatively recent newspapers handy to help catch the puppies as they come out. And even though your dog will thoroughly clean her babies once they're born, some dry towels to help dry them even more will come in handy.