Caring for pregnant dogs

You have successfully bred your dog and you are sure that it is pregnant, but at this juncture, you haven’t quite done your homework on how to meet the new pups.

Below is a simple guide to help you support your dog though the pregnancy. It’s going to be a rough couple of months for you and your dog, and preparing for a safe delivery is going to take a lot of work. For instance, after getting your dog studded, you will need to go to the veterinarian for a checkup. Have the dog tested of any health problems, especially genetic ones like degenerative myelopathy.

1.    First three weeks

Like humans, dogs also suffer from morning sickness when they are pregnant. Their personalities can also change and they might prefer to be alone. The main thing to watch for is vaginal infection due to breeding. If they start to bleed, take them to the veterinarian right away for a check-up. As for their diet, feed them the same amount of food as you did before they got pregnant. If your dog has

2.    Fourth and fifth week

By this time, the veterinarian can feel the embryos during the 27th to 31th day of pregnancy. During this time, be very careful with your dog’s diet. The fetus is prone to taking in any toxic substances that the mother could have accidentally eaten. These could cause illnesses like degenerative myelopathy when the puppy becomes older.

Your dog may also have an odorless and clear vaginal discharge. Their nipples may also start to grow. Try not to give the dog stress or too much physical activity. You can also give your dog a multi-vitamin supplement that’s low in calcium. 

3.    Sixth and seventh week
During this time, the dog’s pregnancy will become very obvious, with its nipples becoming swollen and darkening in color. Its tummy will continue to grow as well.

Give your dog extra nutrients by feeding them a mixture of eggs and cottage cheese. You can also increase the amount of food you usually give iy. By this time, you should also prepare a whelping box where the puppies will be born and nurtured. This can be placed in the corner of the kitchen where it’s cool, dark and quiet.

4.    Eighth week

You might even feel the puppies move when you touch the dog’s belly. Be very careful with how you play or handle the dog since they can give birth at any time during this stage. Once the puppies are out, make sure that the puppies are taken out of that thin sheet of flesh (placenta) and begin breast-feeding.