Is your family expecting a litter of pups? Expecting puppies is almost as exciting as expecting a baby! Pet owner generally become quite attached to their dogs. When their female dog becomes pregnant they want to know how to care for her, to keep her healthy and fit. Just as pregnant and nursing women do, female dogs need extra care and nutrition.
Once your female dog goes into heat you can expect her to become pregnant if you also have a male dog, or if she’s allowed to wander. Pet owners who do not wish for puppies should get their lady dogs spade before they go into heat. This happens every six months or so.
You’ll know for sure that you female dog is pregnant when she begins to show, which is generally about three to four weeks after her time of being in heat. She’ll get a little belly. Her sides will fill in. Her tits will swell.
Pregnant dogs need special care and attention, just as pregnant women do. No, they don’t need to attend prenatal appointments but it’s not a bad idea to take her to the vet for a good checkup. Hopefully she is already up to date on her shots and has been deformed. If not you should ask the vet to do so.
Pregnant female dogs need to be fed well, and regularly. Increase her daily feeding amount by one cup each time you feed her. Pregnant female dogs also need plenty of fresh water at all times.
Female dogs go through pregnancy well. They remain high spirited and playful until the very end. Once you see that your dog is not as active and playful you’ll know she’s toward the end of her pregnancy.
At the onset of labor your female dog will be irritable and possibly whiney. She’ll lay down much more than normal for her. She will seem uncomfortable.
Labor can last for a couple of days. You’ll see it progressing. Be very kind to your female dog all through her pregnancy and especially when labor begins. If this is her first littler know that she’s never done this before and she may feel afraid. Labor hurts for dogs just as much it does for women. Offer her words of encouragement and tell her it’s alright. She’ll need your love and attention.
Once your female dogs membranes rupture the time of birth is at hand. There will most likely be several pups. My female dog, Lady, had ten. Birthing can take several hours. There’s not much that pet owners can do other than be there to make sure everything is going alright.
After birth it’s very important to make sure that you keep on adding that extra cup, or two, of food to her ration each meal time. She’ll still need plenty of fresh water too. Lactating female dogs need to get enough nutrition and fluids in order to nurse their pups. If they are not they will not be able to adequately feed their pups. The pups will then fail to thrive and possibly die.
I think that just about covers it! Pets are loved like children are loved. When you Lady is expecting make sure she’s in good health by taking her for a checkup. Also make sure to feed her extra and that she has plenty of fresh, cold water at all times. Treat her well and let her know what a good girl she is. Pay close attention to her weight and health after birth to ensure she’ll be able to give her pups the nutrition that they need. Thanks for reading and take care!
