My Dog is Pregnant and I am not sure what all I need to do?

Question

My dog is about 4 to 5 weeks along I think, and I am not sure if there is anything that I need to do? I guess I am concerned because we have another dog that she is fenced in with that is the alpha female do I need to separate them? and when she starts to labor the puppies what do I need to do?

Answer 1

Bring the expectant mom in the house, if you can. It will be more comfortable for her to have the pups and safer. Get two cardboard boxes-- one so she can bear them there to save the floors from a big mess and another as a puppy corral starting about 24 hours after they are born (in case a pup comes late). Make sure she always has plenty of food and water and getting a better brand can help, or supplement her diet with some moist food and treats. Plus, make sure she knows you love her, even after the pups are born.

I have to add a personal comment. I'm not a veteranarian or a dog breeder, but I have been around dogs all my life. I have seen strays of both canine and feline persuasions give birth and do fine on their own. While I know there are problems that require a vet's attention, I do not believe that a vet is necessary in every case because those strays certainly did not think so! In fact, they were ready to defend their young, with their very lives, from any meddling humans. Most mother animals instinctively know what to do. There are exceptions, of course, but there are always exceptions and little can be done there really.
I got my first dog of my own at age ten, but she loved my mom more. Persnickety chihuahua! She became like a sister to me, though, family. When I was 17, my mom wanted to breed her, not me, but the male she found wasn't a chihuahua, so the pups were mixed-- and wonderful! I fell in love with one of them, Libby. She was like my niece, my friend, and more. I had to have a piece of her forever, I knew. Inside, I knew she would only live ten years, so I found her a love and they had babies. I did the same for her daughter, to keep the family going, so I would always have a piece of Libby, who just died this year-- at age ten. It really makes me mad when "Breeders" get uppity, thinking that:
1. Only purebred dogs should be bred.
2. Only special breeders should breed dogs.
3. Birth isn't a miracle that everyone should see, but something that should bring in money.
Here's my view:
1. Purebred dogs are often, though not always, snobby.
2. I realize that the dog population is out of control, but I do not believe that a free country should say that only breeders should be allowed to carry on their dogs' lines.
3. The birth process is something everyone should see and be part of, unless perhaps they have a weak stomach. It has changed everyone I knew who saw it for the better.

Agree or disagree, as you will, but you know my view.

Answer 2

Of course you need to separate them! The pregnant dog needs to be shown her whelping box which must be in a quiet room by about the start of her 8th week. She can go in and start nesting and when she's in labour, she'll be comfortable and know where to go. She should also be seen by a vet about 2 weeks before delivery for a check up. He can suggest good quality vitamins which she should get as soon as the puppies are born.

When she's whelping, you need to stay close in case she wants or needs help. I've never let any of my moms tear the cord themselves because they can easily cause hernias in the puppies if they're too rough. It's better for the puppies if you cut and tie the cords. Also, make sure the pups are breathing with no obstructions. Your female will want to eat the placentas, but if you let her have more than 1 or 2, she'll get the runs so you may want to clean up the rest yourself.

The puppies need to be kept very warm for the first 5 - 6 weeks of their life and your other female has to be kept totally away from the room. You can start the weaning process at about 5 weeks, offering the puppies good quality puppy food moistened with warm water twice a day. They'll still need to nurse, but are ready to start on food.

Good luck with your puppies and if you have more questions, you could contact me.

Answer 3

later on when she is more pregnant you might want to separate them, but they should be ok together right now.
The only thing you need to do is watch her, she will find a place to give birth and where she feels safe when she is ready.Just put blankets down and nature will do the rest, mind you when my friends golden ret. went into labor (my golden got her pregnat, which was planned) she ended up having eight puppies and she was so tired by the time the last two were being delivered she couldn't do it all,so I ended up inserting my hand and helping the pups out and then I had to rip the birthing bag open and rub them with a towel and give them to Mum! She knew I was there to help her and let me with no problem and once she had the two I helped deliver she just started licking them the same as all the others! Good Luck!

Answer 4

You should separate them just in case the alpha trys to hurt the puppies , make sure the mom has some place good to lay on , and give her something to bite on while shes having the puppies . And don't get near the puppies for a while , she will probably be very protective, even if she knows you.

Answer 5

CONGRATS!!
Yes your 2 dog's need to be seperated!!! They WILL fight once the pup's come!!
Also the "mom" need's her own space,blanket's,newspapers(there will be alot of blood/discharge)(she will eat the cords..that is good for "mom" it has alot of nutrients she need's @ this point!!) Also alot of water and food now..she will loose her appetite after she has the pup's. The "mom" will do everything for the first 3-4 week's,then she will start to let you know when you need to "ween" them...whenning is when you give the puppies crushed puppy chow with warm water (looks like mush) then gradually leave more chunks so they are used to hard food by 6 weeks. HAVE ALOT OF TOYS for the new puppies. If she is 4-5 weeks then you will have pup's in 4-5 week's (my pitt conceived last thanksgiving and had 9 healthy puppies Jan26)
Good luck and look on the web for puppy site...weening puppies...birth of puppies...etc. And you DONT have to take your dog to the vet...that's just MORE money,and you will already have to pay for them to get there first shots & worming!

Answer 6

You should separate them before she delivers. We all need a little privacy during childbirth! Make sure mamma dog cleans, licks and removes the birth sack and stimulates the pup. You may need to have some towels handy to help her. Keep the pups warm and encourage them to nurse.

Answer 7

It is sad when people try and be breeders when they have no clue. You should be at the vet with the dog, making sure there are no problems. then you should be doing a ton of research to find out what you need to do. Stop taking the lazy approach and get online and find some things out. If you want to breed, you need to be prepared to do a LOT of work!!!!!!!!!!
Then SPAY!!!!!!!! Leave the breeding to the people who are devoted to it and do it right.

Answer 8

well get a box or something for a bed that you can throw away.and lay towels in it. make sure she has plenty of food and water during pregnancy and water during birth.and it would be best when she shows sighns of labor such as wimpering and laying down alot and rolling over to seperate them.and let her do the work dont clean them up or any thing they know what to do by nature.

Answer 9

Type in Dog pregnancy info. and that has many sites you can go to for information on canine pregnancy. Even better, call your veterinarian and ask for info. on what you should do. Good Luck!

Answer 10

separate them will be a good thing. but you want need to do anything she knows what to do. as long as she does not have any trouble pup will be fine.i had few litters around here they were all fine.