The Care of Dogs After They Give Birth

It's an exciting day: you've been waiting nine weeks and your dog is finally ready to have its puppies. Be prepared to play the part of observer rather than participant, since dogs are equipped to deal with the entire birthing process, or whelping, much better than humans are. Your primary role will be to make sure your dog is comfortable and watch from a distance, only intervening if something goes wrong. After whelping concludes, however, you need take several specific steps in order to care for your dog.

Things You'll Need

  • Heart worm medicine
  • Fresh water
  • Puppy food
  • Brush
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Instructions

    • 1

      Bring your dog and its puppies to the animal hospital or veterinarian within 24 hours of the birthing process. There they will be examined to ensure that they are healthy, all puppies have been delivered and that there is enough milk. A hormone injection may be given to your dog to help milk let-down and contract the uterus.

    • 2

      Give your dog medicine to prevent heart worm for its entire pregnancy and nursing period. This will cause no damage to the developing or nursing puppies.

    • 3

      Keep your dog and its puppies in a quiet area for the first two weeks; avoid any excitement or commotion. Unnecessary uproar can cause emotional issues for both your dog and its puppies.

    • 4

      Set out clean and fresh water, making sure it's available to your dog at all times. Feed your dog puppy food; the higher protein and energy level of puppy food will aid your dog's recovery. Feed you dog as much as it can eat in at least three daily servings.

    • 5

      Examine your dog's mammary glands daily and wash them with warm water if dried milk accumulates. Notify the veterinarian if there is any skin tenderness, discoloration or severe engorgement in the area. Clip the puppies' nails if they seem to be scratching your dog's mammary glands.

    • 6

      Decrease your dog's feeding when the puppies begin weaning, at about four to five weeks. This will help to decrease the milk supply.

    • 7

      Brush your dog's coat regularly, as it will experience heavy shedding during the nursing period. Notify the veterinarian if your dog develops any bald spots.

    • 8

      Notify the veterinarian if your dog experiences nervousness, tremors, weight loss, lethargy, change in disposition or lack of appetite.