Pregnancy And Breastfeeding In Dogs: What To Do
Pregnancy and breastfeeding are very important stages in a pet’s life. In these cases, being informed is essential to keep them healthy. In this article we will talk about pregnancy and breastfeeding in dogs and we will explain what to do to help your four-legged friends in this important phase.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding in dogs: what to do
A bitch’s pregnancy usually lasts about nine weeks. The gestation process should be guided by a specialist, as as the pregnancy progresses, you will need to know what exactly to do to keep it healthy.
Changes in nutrition
Weight gain will not be noticeable until the fifth or sixth week of pregnancy. From then on, the diet will need to be changed so that the puppies receive the necessary nutrients.
For this reason, food intake will progressively increase, from the fifth week to the ninth. During the ninth week, the food ration will be one third more than usual.
When changes in diet occur, the physical state before pregnancy or any type of illness will be limitations when changing the diet. Therefore, you should always follow the recommendations given by your veterinarian.
Maintain hydration
It is imperative that the bitch stay hydrated and drink water frequently. Therefore, clean and fresh water must always be available.
Also, if the type of food she is eating is dry, it is essential to have an accessible water source, especially during the last weeks of gestation.
Exercise
It is convenient for the bitch to do some exercise during pregnancy. Therefore, it is advisable to keep the daily walks, although the walking time and distance should be shortened.
Comfort above all
When the date of birth approaches, it will be necessary to prepare a corner with blankets or towels in a cardboard box called “nest”. There the bitch will be able to give birth safely. The goal of the nest is to ensure that your pet is comfortable and feels safe.
Breastfeeding
Newborn puppies have not completed their development and are able to perform only a few functions correctly. Therefore, they need special care and intense dedication.
It is necessary to take into account the following factors:
Temperature
Puppies are unable to regulate their body temperature properly. This can have serious consequences for their health.
Therefore, puppies need to be kept at a stable temperature. Avoid cold temperatures, as the puppy’s digestive activity decreases and the reflex that leads him to suck may disappear.
The ideal temperature is above 34 ºC, as it will be able to suck and digest milk properly. If it’s between 32 ° C and 34 ° C, it can only suck, not digest. For this reason, it is advisable to keep the puppy at 34 ° C before feeding him.
Hydration
Puppies are 82% water and lose a significant amount of water and heat. For this reason, it is convenient to keep puppies in an environment with 60% humidity. If it falls below this level, they can become dehydrated and, if it increases, it promotes the risk of bacterial growth.
Quantity of food
Puppies are unable to fully regulate their glucose levels. To ensure proper nutrition and control blood sugar, it is recommended that puppies be fed frequently and with specific proportions of nutrients.
Immune system
In addition, they need to receive antibodies from the mother, as these are not transmitted to them by the placenta. As a result, their immune systems are not yet mature enough.
To avoid health problems, hygiene must be meticulous, so the puppy must be kept in a clean and disinfected environment and given colostrum as soon as possible.
It should also be noted that the digestive system is not functional, so puppies are able to digest starch and cannot defecate like adult dogs would.
What kind of milk should they drink?
From the moment it is born until the weaning stage, the puppy will feed only on milk. However, not all types of milk are adequate and can be properly assimilated by her digestive system.
Cow’s milk should never be offered to puppies. The composition of this milk and that of dog milk is different, which could cause intestinal problems in the puppy due to the high lactose content, as well as growth disturbances as it does not have the necessary nutritional content.
If for any reason the puppy cannot drink milk from its mother, there are several proposals on the market. You can find the baby formula, which must cover nutritional needs and protect his digestive system. On the other hand, there is usually a supplement of DHA, a fatty acid found in dog milk, as well as in the retina and brain of puppies.
Conclusions on pregnancy and lactation in dogs
It is convenient to reiterate that all these suggestions are indicative and that each case of pregnancy and lactation in dogs has its own characteristics. So it is always better to contact a veterinarian.
