My dog gave birth to 7 puppies yesterday evening. I just went outside to check on everything and noticed that there are now only 6. I looked everywhere and can't figure it out. I've kept a very close eye on them, and she's being a very good mother. She's with her pups in a huge wooden house/box thing in the garage that my husband built. I can't imagine an animal going in there and taking a pup without her barking and going nuts. Does anyone have any idea where this pup could have gone, or would the mother take it somewhere else? This is the first litter of puppies I've ever owned so, I'm just sad, and freaked out a little. Is it becouse I handled the puppies after they were born? (I transferred them to the kennell so I could clean her house for her. She went in with them, Then this morning we put them all back in her house so they would have enough room.)
Thanks for your help.
2007-12-08 19:15:31 · 15 answers · asked by rachel b 3 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I resue animals from shelters...Please don't make me and my dogs one of your statistics. I love my animals. My pregnant dog was dumped and left with no food no water or shelter. Save your preaching please. It's not sad, or cold in the garage, I live in TEXAS. I also have heat lamps for the mama and pups.
2007-12-08 20:03:17 · update #1
NO, handling didn't cause this. Mothers who know you usually don't mind baby holding. As long as she didn't freak out, you didn't move them to where she couldn't see/smell them it's fine.
If she has access to the outdoors or any other part of the house, she's probably moved it. Follow her around, she may lead you to it.
Mamas know when the babies "aren't right" and will outright refuse to take care of them. I've seen mom dogs pick up a puppy and put it out of the nest.
She may have eaten it. Either because of her inexperience as a mother, or because it "wasn't right", like I mentioned above.
It could be tangled in whatever bedding you have in there, or shoved into a remote corner.
Good luck
2007-12-08 19:18:31 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
NO.....you can handle them by all means!! Puppies need human contact and it will help to soothe them and get them use to be handling and around humans. Could it be that you simply miscounted? Another thing, it that when the mother thinks her pup is ill or "for whatever other reason", she may move that pup to another area. Maybe she was in the process of moving them when she was distracted. I hope you find that baby safe and sound.
They need warmth (not hot, just warmth) while they are tiny puppies. Make sure mommy is eating almost twice her normal amount of food, and drinking LOTS of fresh water. She is feeding many mouths now. And, cleanliness is great. You are doing the right thing to keep the bedding clean, dry, and "warm".
2007-12-08 19:24:59 · answer #2 · answered by Pilot ~ canine son! 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
at this age, they dont do things like "wagging tails". They dont have control of their tails, and havent developed those kind of social skills yet either. They have very basic needs at this age- they want milk, and to be warm. As long as they are kept warm and draft-free.. and are gaining weight and being fed, they should be doing good. Yes they wimper and cry, but they should be quite and content once fed and warm. If a puppy is constantly crying something may be wrong.
2016-04-08 03:09:58 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Was there a heat lamp over the puppies? IF one of the puppies were dying the mother would dispose of them the way nature intended (eating). Sorry if that's what happened.
2007-12-08 19:21:53 · answer #4 · answered by Yuzuki 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If the puppy died, and the mother couldn't get it away from the other puppies, she may have eaten it. It a natural way for her to keep her other puppies from being around a diseased carcase. That's also why they eat the after-birth, to prevent disease bearing rotting.
2007-12-08 19:47:59 · answer #5 · answered by John S 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Most likely the momma dog ate her pup. It may have died in its sleep or have been very sick. In the wild, momma dogs do this so preditors wouldn't sniff out a sick puppy and find the whole litter. Same reason mamma dogs eat the placenta.
2007-12-08 19:20:44 · answer #6 · answered by driven 3 · 4⤊ 1⤋
The only thing I can think of is another animal got it or someone took ito rthe dog did something with it. Look around again!
2007-12-08 19:18:40 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
maybe you should try to look around again?? check hidden corners, or any area where the puppy may be hidden??
good luck!
2007-12-08 19:50:27 · answer #8 · answered by Mrs. C 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i learned when i have newborn pets, i make sure their airway is cleaned and that they all know how to nurse. This is only a guess...some reason it may have passed away, and she ate it
2007-12-08 19:20:38 · answer #9 · answered by Hazel 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Isn't it cold in the garage, can't they come in the house. Sounds a little sad. I'm sorry about your pup :(
AGREE with becki_no!
2007-12-08 19:39:18 · answer #10 · answered by XO 3 · 2⤊ 4⤋