what is good for her and the puppies?

Question

my basset hound maggie is pregnant and i know about the procedures and stuff for birth but i want to know how i can make her comfortable during the pregnancy and what food is good for her and the puppies. please help

the vet confirmed that she is pregnant and i know about birthing and when the puppies come i just want her to be comfortable

all i want to know is how to make her comfortable like more pillows to sleep with stuff like that. i know how to care for her and stuff like that and i know how to care for the puppies

Answer 1

Basically the same rules that apply to pregnant women, apply to pregnant dogs....eat healthy, don't gain too much weight, stay active, and avoid alcohol and drugs.

Pet food stores will have special food for gestating b!thces. Just go and ask.

Remember to exercise her just as much as always. You might have to end up forcing her to get up and move near the end. She should look really cute with those short legs and that enormous belly she is going to grow.

Answer 2

sorry about that but this here will make her comfortable (edit answer)

The Making of a Maternity Ward

Most dogs will decide on their own where they're most comfortable giving birth. Pets seem to favour enclosed areas that are void of noise, distraction and foot traffic. Favourites include closets, stairwells, and behind objects. If this is conducive to your lifestyle, by all means, let her go where she's comfortable. If not, it's okay to set up a Maternity Ward of your own.

A kiddy sized swimming pool makes an excellent birthing space. The pool will be easy to clean and will also prevent the newborn pups from tipping out. Line the kiddy pool with old sheets or fresh towels and newspapers that you can quickly throw away and or replace during labour and delivery. Boxes also make excellent spaces for giving birth. Experts use what's called a "whelping box," which is nothing more than a box in which the dog will have adequate privacy. You can make your own box at home with a cardboard oven or refrigerator box. The box you use should be large enough for mom to stretch out and still leave enough space for small pups. One side should be low enough for the mother to crawl in and out of, but high enough to prevent the puppies from doing so. Whatever you decide to use, try to acquaint your pet with her maternity ward early so she'll be more likely to feel comfortable there when the time comes.

Make Her Comfortable

Line your box or pool with as many towels or sheets that you can find. Remember, your dog has a long night ahead of her. Tossing in her favourite toy or blanket will encourage your pet to use her whelping box. Making your dog comfortable during this time should be your top priority.

Keep the Noise Down

Your dog will want some privacy on the big day. Loud noises, company and constant interruptions will only make your dog nervous. As much as small children (and even adults) would like to experience the delivery, try and keep human contact to a minimum.

Answer 3

Well, start off by getting a whelping box ready. It can be any kind of box but, has to be a good size to accommodate Maggie and her litter. Make sure it is low enough for Maggie to get out of if she needs too. Put some blankets and towels in the box. The more the better to make her comfortable and warm. Show her where the box is, and I'm sure, out of instinct whe will go right too it when she is ready to deliver her pups. Just let nature take it's course. But, be close bye and check on her regularly. Or, if you want to be there while she is giving birth to her babies. Then go for it. Talk to her softly, pet her and tell her she is such a good dog and mommy. Maybe offer her a drink of water a few times so that she won't dehydrate while she is giving birth.

As far as food goes, well, for the babies, you won't need to worry about that for a while. They will nurse from mom for about 6 weeks or so. When you think they are ready to start eating, just feed them can puppy food as they won't have all of their teeth right away. Mom on the other hand could get her regular diet. Maybe a little bit bigger portions because of her giving birth and having to nurse her babies.

She knows how much she can deal with as far as being active goes. Let her go about her normal routine, running, climbing, etc. She will slow down when it's close to her delivery time.

I wish you and Maggie a safe delivery and hope things go well for you both. I bet she will have some adorable babies and I know she will be a great mommy too. Good luck, hope this advise helps you out.

Answer 4

Call your vet he/she will give you the bet information you can get.
Like what kind of food, etc.


Symptoms or signs of pregnancy - Three weeks after mating the female dog may have an upset stomach and not want to eat for about a week to 10 days. One way to tell if your dog is pregnant is to check her vulva, the swelling would not have gone down after her heat and looks enlarged. Thirty days after being bred a blood test can be done by a veterinarian to confirm pregnancy. A pregnant dogs nipples will develop around week 5 and she will begin to look broader. At 21 days an ultrasound can be done to confirm pregnancy and at 45 days radiographs can be taken and puppies counted.
How long is a dog pregnant - The gestation period for dogs is 60 - 63 days. Start counting from the first time you bred her.
Diet - During the first 30 days of pregnancy she can eat her normal diet, as long as it is a high quality food. During the last month of pregnancy start switching her over to a high quality puppy food, make the diet change over a weeks time. Do not give vitamin supplements, a high quality food has plenty of nutrients. Also, be aware that some vitamin supplements may cause birth defects so check with your veterinarian before choosing to supplement.
Exercise - Take her on daily walks. It is important that she does not become overweight during this time and the walks will keep her in shape for delivery. Letting the dog run in the backyard is not equal to a walk, a walk is mental and physical exercise. During the last 3 weeks of gestation do not take her out and do not expose her to other dogs as added protection against disease.
Vaccinations - Do not vaccinate a pregnant dog. Some vaccines will cause abortion. Vaccinations should be given prior to breeding so that the protection can be passed to the puppies by the mothers milk.
Whelping box - About two weeks prior to the expected delivery start to prepare a whelping box. The box should be deep enough to contain the puppies at 4 - 6 weeks of age. Cover the box with newspapers, sheets, towels, etc. Don't use anything you are attached to, whelping puppies is a dirty business. Have enough clean towels so that during the birthing process each new puppy will have it's own clean towel.
Body Temperature - One week prior to whelping start taking the mothers temperature rectally. A normal dog temperature will be 100.5 - 102.5, about 24 hours before whelping her temperature will drop a few degrees. This will give you time to prepare.
Additional information - Never leave a pregnant dog who is about to whelp. Many dogs need help birthing puppies and in some situations a cesarean is necessary

Answer 5

Your pregnant dog needs puppy food during her pregnancy and while she is nursing because she will need more fat and protein at that time.
In addition you can add a few spoons of yogurt or cottage cheese and every other day you can give her an egg. I like raw for my dogs. Some people don't trust that and so they soft boil them and feed when cooled off enough.
When she starts to wean the puppies you can get a good puppy food (royal canin has an excellent one for "baby dog" that is highly digestible and tiny kibble) and mix some warm water in it to make it into a mush that your puppies can eat and after they are getting used to eating you can just feed them that kibble and give them a little yogurt, egg etc. like the mother.
Ask your Vet about any recommended supplements.
Run this suggestion by your Vet.
Also, here is a site with some good ideas for making a whelping box and it has a lot of other good info. You want to locate it in a place that is quiet and provides a den-like feeling for your dog, like a large closet or under a table or desk that is not used or not used during that time.
http://www.woodhavenlabs.com/whelping.html

Answer 6

My dad used to give our pregnant dogs a bowl of whatever food they normally eat mixed with a whole can of tuna in oil and mix in two cooked eggs. We always had healthy puppies in our litters. The mother loved the concoction and she looked great (her skin/fur/eyes)

Answer 7

For food you should give her puppy food. Not adult food. You can't really do that much while she is pregnant just make sure she gets food and sleep

Answer 8

she can eat her normal dog food, but during and right after she gives birth she will not be hungry. the puppies will drink their moms milk until they are 8 weeks old when they can get switched to puppy food.

Answer 9

Lie Her Down And Rub Her Tummy ??

Answer 10

Well my dog just had puppies about 6 weeks ago and we fed her bentiful it was very healthy. Good luck