If you plan to breed your dog, it’s recommended that you wait until she’s at least 24 months old. By that point she will be mature enough for any relevant medical problems to become apparent. Some dog breeds may be prone to genetic conditions like dental problems, dislocating patellas, hip dysplasia, spine problems, allergies, heart conditions, and/r behavioral problems. It’s important to be aware of these conditions before breeding your dog.
Your dog should have been vaccinated before she became pregnant so she can pass the antibodies on to her pups. But if not, don’t vaccinate her while pregnant, as some vaccines can be harmful to developing fetuses. If using flea control, be sure to use a product that’s safe for use on pregnant dogs. Do make sure that your dog is on a deworming program. An untreated mother can pass on roundworms, hookworms, or heartworms to her puppies.
By 45 days into the pregnancy, your vet can use x-rays to detect the number of puppies in the litter. You may also notice nesting behavior and a tendency to want to withdraw or retreat; this is normal and to be expected.
Puppy food typically has more calories than regular adult food, which the mother will need in order to pass on nutrition to the fetuses. Do not supplement her diet with extra calcium unless instructed by your veterinarian. Milk fever, or eclampsia, is common for small breed dogs a few weeks after giving birth. It’s more likely to occur if the mother receives an over-supplementation of calcium during pregnancy.
If your dog is a large breed like a German shepherd or Labrador, as many as 10 puppies is common. If your dog is a small breed like a Chihuahua or Shih Tzu, 3 or 4 puppies in a litter would be plenty. If the vet can see only one or two puppies, it may pose problems at the time of birth. Fewer puppies mean the puppies will be larger and may be too big to pass through the birth canal naturally. In such cases, a planned C-section is often the best option. Though a planned C-section will be more costly, it will still be cheaper than an emergency C-section. So plan ahead.
Help your dog feel comfortable by setting up a cozy box in an area away from other pets. A box or kiddy pool with bedding like clean old towels or blankets works well.
If you aren’t able to find homes for all the puppies, be prepared to keep them yourself until you can find them a home. Thousands of dogs end up in over-crowded shelters because irresponsible owners breed their dogs without providing homes for the puppies. Don’t be part of the problem. Prepare to live with puppies for at least 8 weeks before they leave your house for new homes. In certain states like California, it’s illegal to adopt out a puppy younger than 8 weeks of age. To ensure the puppies go to good homes, have an application process and ask questions of the interested parties. It’s also a good idea to charge a modest amount for each puppy. This ensures the interested parties are serious about and committed to adopting the puppy.
You can buy puppy formula at most pet supply stores.
It’s also highly advisable to keep the mother away from other dogs for three weeks following the delivery.
Her teats will appear enlarged when your dog is close to giving birth because her milk is coming in. This can happen within a few days or as labor begins, so watch closely. The vulva will start to get more relaxed a few days before labor. The dog’s temperature will also drop a degree or so about 24 hours before labor. Take her temperature every morning for the last week or two of pregnancy to get an idea of her normal temperature. To take her temperature, lubricate a rectal thermometer and insert it about half an inch. Leave the thermometer in for about three minutes to get an accurate reading. Her normal temperature will likely range between 101 and 102. 5 degrees Fahrenheit. When you notice a drop of a degree or more, it’s a likely sign she’ll go into labor in 24 hours or less. In the early stages of labor, your dog may pant, whimper, move around as though uncomfortable, or hide. She will probably not want to eat, but be sure to offer her water, though she may also not drink.
If you see contractions and suspect she is in labor, let her have access to her nesting area and monitor her from afar. Many dogs will give birth during the night to have ultimate privacy. You don’t need to hover, but you should start paying attention to the timing of contractions and the delivery of puppies.
You will notice her contractions become more frequent and/or pronounced as she gets closer to delivery. She may stand up, which is fine–don’t try to force her to lie down.
The puppies may be born either tail or head first; both are normal. She may yelp or whimper as the pup comes out, which is to be expected. But if your dog appears to be in extreme or abnormal pain, call your veterinarian immediately. Usually, a pup will appear every thirty minutes or so, after ten to thirty minutes of forceful straining (though she may go as long as four hours between pups). Call your veterinarian If no pup appears within 30-60 minutes of hard contractions. Also call your vet if it’s been over four hours since the last delivery and you know there are still unborn puppies.
When the mother delivers, the pup will be in a sac; she should tear it open and then chew off the umbilical cord and lick the pup. It’s usually best to let her do this without human assistance because it’s part of her bonding experience with the puppies. If she doesn’t tear open the sac within about two to four minutes, however, you should gently open the sac yourself with a clean hand. Clear all fluid away from the pup’s nose and mouth, then rub the pup vigorously but gently to stimulate breathing. Make sure the puppies are warm, but, again, don’t intervene unless you see a problem. Neonatal death (ie, stillbirths or pups that survive only a few hours or days) is relatively common for most littered mammals, so be prepared for this possibility. If you see a newborn pup that is not breathing, try to clear the mouth and stimulate the puppy by rubbing its body to see if you can get it breathing.
It’s important for both mother and puppies to receive enough nutrition. This helps the mother can recover and helps the puppies develop.
Watch for signs of metritis (an inflamed uterus), which include fever, foul-smelling discharge, listlessness, loss of appetite, decreased milk production, and disinterest in the puppies. Watch for signs of eclampsia, which can include nervousness, restlessness, disinterest in the puppies, and a stiff, pained gait. If left untreated, eclampsia can progress into muscle spasms, inability to stand, fever, and seizures. Watch for signs of mastitis (inflammation of the breasts), which can include red, hardened, or painful mammary glands. The mother may try to discourage the puppies from nursing, but you should urge them to continue doing so. It will help flush out the infection without causing the puppies any harm.
If that happens, call your vet and bring her in if necessary.
