Pregnant Dog & Puppy Care

Caring for a pregnant dog and her puppies is just as important as taking proper care of a pregnant woman. By caring for her health before, during and after birth, you can minimize complications with the pregnancy and reduce the risk to her puppies. The average dog is pregnant for about 63 days, but after yours gives birth, you must still ensure that her puppies are cared for in their infancy.

  1. Exercise

    • Don't hesitate to exercise a pregnant dog. Exercise during pregnancy is a reliable way of preventing health problems like obesity that can threaten a pregnancy and harm your dog. Though she should not be worked to the point of exhaustion, continue with whatever exercise regimen she is accustomed to--this may include regular walks, playing at the park or running.

    Isolation

    • Canine herpes is a virus that is not fatal to adult dogs, but can terminate a pregnancy or even kill newborn puppies. For this reason, pregnant dogs should be isolated from other dogs during the final three weeks of their pregnancy and three weeks after giving birth. This includes limiting exposure to public areas frequented by other dogs.

    Birthing

    • You should be on hand to help your dog deliver her babies. When her temperature drops below 100 degrees, labor will probably start within 24 hours. When she delivers a puppy, it will be covered in a membrane that the mother usually clears away. If she does not do so, you must, or the pup will die. You may also need to assist in cutting the umbilical cords. Should this be the case, tie a knot in the cord with a string and cut above the knot. Though the mother may take breaks during labor, contact a veterinarian if she takes a break longer than four hours or if she delivers puppies at a rate slower than one pup per hour.

    Feeding Puppies

    • Newborn puppies typically feed every two hours throughout the first week after being born. Over time, they eat less and less often. If the mother has abandoned her puppy or isn't producing enough milk, you may need to feed him from a bottle. Your vet can recommend a commercially available milk substitute for your dog. After about four weeks, puppies can begin transitioning into eating solid food and kibbles.

    Other Puppy Care

    • Young puppies should not be handled too often, but should always be kept warm. This may be done with a heating pad, a hot water bottle or blankets. Newborn puppies are unable to go to the bathroom without assistance. This role is generally filled by the mother, but if the mother is not around, you may need to assist the puppy. This entails gently massaging the anal and urinary regions. Consult your vet for specific techniques and advice.