Preparing and Caring for a Pregnant Dog: Breeding Health Tips

Preparing and Caring for a Pregnant Dog: Tips for Breeding and Health Care. Some common human medications, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen, can be harmful to dogs and should be avoided. Method 3 Providing Postnatal Care For a Dog. 1 – Be prepared for the dog whelping process. The gestation period for dogs is approximately 63 days. You should have a whelping box prepared for your dog and her puppies at least a week before she’s due to give birth. Make sure the box is large enough for the mother dog to move around in, but also small enough to keep the puppies contained. A heating pad or lamp will help keep the puppies warm. — Keep your veterinarian’s phone number and the phone number for the nearest emergency veterinary clinic nearby in case you need it.. 2 – Monitor your dog closely after she gives birth. Make sure all the puppies are nursing and that none are being pushed away by the mother dog. You should also monitor the mother dog for any signs of a medical problem, such as mastitis (inflammation of the mammary gland) or eclampsia (a life-threatening condition caused by low calcium levels). — If you notice any abnormal behavior, such as lethargy, loss of appetite, or vomiting, contact your veterinarian immediately. — Your dog will need to be fed a high-quality food that is appropriate for a lactating mother. — Make sure the whelping box is kept clean and dry, and change the bedding frequently to prevent infections.. 3 – Take your dog and her puppies to the veterinarian for a check-up. Your veterinarian will examine the mother dog and her puppies to make sure that they are all healthy. — Your veterinarian may recommend that the puppies be dewormed and vaccinated when they are old enough.. 4 – Socialize the puppies. As the puppies grow, they will need to learn how to interact with other dogs and humans. Exposing the puppies to new environments and people will help increase their chances of finding a good home. — If you are unable to keep all the puppies, work with a reputable rescue organization or shelter to help find them homes. Remember that for each puppy you keep, there is one less home available for a shelter dog.

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