Pregnant Dog Care & Delivery

If your dog is pregnant, your job is to be there to care for her and make her feel as relaxed as possible, all the way up into whelping and beyond. Pregnant canines have a handful of specific needs, including diet, exercise and bedding.

  1. Feeding

    • Eating well is crucial for expectant canine mamas. Offer your pet complete and balanced food, slowly increasing her portions for the final three weeks of her gestation. By the time of whelping, she should be receiving 1 1/2 times the amount of calories she usually does. Abstain from giving your pregnant dog any dietary supplements unless you are specifically instructed to do so by your veterinarian. If you have any questions regarding feeding, supplementation and portion size, don't hesitate to ask your veterinarian.

    Fitness

    • Expectant canine moms need exercise, to manage weight and to ensure a safe and healthy upcoming delivery. Dogs who are are neither overweight nor obese tend to have easier whelping experiences. Just keep the exercise moderate and not too physically exerting -- think daily walks around your community park. Remember, the point is weight management, not weight loss. If you are unsure of what kind of exercise is fitting for your pregnant cutie, check with your veterinarian.

    Veterinarian Help

    • Prenatal visits with the veterinarian can go a long way in making you feel comfortable, secure and well-informed about your dog's pregnancy. It's also crucial to immediately inform your vet of any unusual things you observe in your dog throughout gestation, whether bloody discharge coming from her vagina or extreme exhaustion. If you think your dog has any type of parasites, notify your vet, too. Don't give her medication without prior veterinary approval. Ample communication with the vet is key for safety.

    Cozy Surroundings

    • When your dog is ready for parturition, you might know it just by observing her actions. She might start acting particularly antsy, constantly looking for isolated corners of your household. She might stop eating. She might start ripping apart all of her bedding and digging into the floor. These things are your cue to set up a serene and calm birthing setting for her. Look for a low-traffic, dim area of your home and provide her with a whelping box, complete with soft blankets, rugs and towels.

    Watching Over Delivery

    • Doggie labor is generally a lengthy process. Your duty is to be there to monitor your dog; call for veterinary assistance in case of problems. Female dogs in most cases handle delivery self-sufficiently. If your dog displays indications of malaise at all, contact your vet. Also contact your vet if her breaks between delivering puppies take more than four hours. Abdominal contractions of more than 1 hour also call for vet guidance. Other indications that vet care is necessary include dense, dark discharge without laboring or the general appearance of immense physical discomfort or pain. Once your dog has successfully given birth to her litter, nursing promptly begins -- and your responsibilities in supervising mom and offspring continue in full force.