Dog Pregnancy and Whelping: A Guide for Responsible Breeders
Bringing a new litter of puppies into the world is an exciting time for any dog breeder. However, it also carries great responsibility. As a breeder, it is your duty to care for the dam and puppies, and ensure their health and wellbeing throughout pregnancy, whelping, and the first critical weeks of life. This guide covers everything you need to know about dog pregnancy, labor, delivery and caring for a new litter.
Confirming Pregnancy
Before preparing for whelping, you first need to confirm your dog is pregnant. Here are some signs:
- Swollen or enlarged nipples
- Weight gain
- Increased appetite
- Lethargy and fatigue
- Nesting behaviors
An ultrasound or x-ray can confirm pregnancy around 3-4 weeks along. You may also feel the puppies moving by palpating the abdomen around 4 weeks.
Once pregnancy is confirmed, schedule a vet visit for an exam and discuss nutrition and care.
Caring for the Pregnant Dam
Providing excellent care for the mother is crucial to healthy puppies. Here are tips:
- Feed a high-quality puppy food - the extra calories, protein and nutrients support fetal growth
- Offer small, frequent meals - avoid overstretching the stomach
- Ensure exercise - gentle walks prevent obesity
- Provide a nesting area - offer blankets and toys to satisfy nesting instinct
- Give nutritional supplements - fish oil, prenatal vitamins
- Limit stress - give affection and avoid over-stimulation
Make sure she is up-to-date on vaccinations and medications like heartworm prevention. Discuss any supplements or medication with your vet.
Preparing the Welping Area
Creating a safe, comfortable space for delivery is key. Ideally this whelping box is in a quiet, private room away from other pets.
- Use a kiddie pool or box with low walls- provide ample room to move around
- Line with washable pads and blankets - for easy cleanup
- Include whelping supplies - dental floss, scissors, towels
- Adjust temperature - warm box with heating pad or lamp
- Limit noise - calm environment with minimal disturbances
The whelping box should be fully prepped 2-3 weeks before her due date.
Signs of Impending Labor
As you near the due date, watch for these signs that labor is approaching:
- Drop in body temperature - below 100°F
- Restlessness, pacing, shivering
- Loss of appetite
- Vaginal discharge - becomes thicker, opaque
- Nesting behaviors intensify
Once you notice these signs, help the mother settle in to the whelping area you have prepared. Be attentive, but avoid disturbing her too frequently.
The Stages of Canine Labor
Canine labor and delivery typically occurs in three stages:
Stage 1
- Cervix dilates
- Contractions begin
- May last 6-12 hours
Stage 2
- Hard contractions push puppies out
- Usually delivers 1 puppy at a time
- Up to 2 hours between puppies
Stage 3
- Delivery of placentas
- Green-black fluid discharge
- Usually completes 1-2 hours after final pup
Your role is to stay close by, provide comfort, keep her walking, and monitor for problems. Know when to call the vet for help.
When to Call the Vet During Whelping
Puppies should arrive every 1 to 2 hours once stage 2 starts. Call your vet if:
- More than 2 hours pass without a puppy
- Dam is in distress or straining hard for over 1 hour
- Puppies appear stuck or dam can't pass them
- Excessive bleeding or foul discharge
- Dam ignores or won't nurse puppies
Your vet can give oxytocin or perform a c-section if whelping stalls or there are health concerns.
Caring for Newborn Puppies
It's crucial to get each pup thriving right away:
- Remove sac, rub to stimulate breathing
- Tie off, cut, and disinfect umbilical cord
- Place on nipples to nurse within 30 mins after birth
- Count puppies, log weights, record times of birth
Monitor weights daily. Supplement with bottle feeding if any puppy fails to gain weight.
Post-Whelping Care & Health Concerns
Don't leave the new family alone for the first 2 weeks after whelping. Monitor mom and puppies closely:
Mom
- Keep resting, eating nutritious meals
- Watch for signs of infection - discharge, fever
- Ensure all placentas passed
- Monitor for mastitis - hot, inflamed nipples
Puppies
- Ensure nursing every 2-3 hours
- Weigh daily, supplement feed under-weight pups
- Watch for dehydration, diarrhea, or constipation
- Keep puppies warm - use heat lamp, warming pads
- Rotate nursing position to ensure equal feeding
Discuss deworming schedule with your vet around 2-4 weeks old. Vaccinations begin around 6-8 weeks old.
Weaning & Caring for Puppies
At 3-4 weeks old, start transitioning puppies to solid food by offering blenderized puppy food 4-5 times a day alongside nursing. Gradually decrease nursing sessions. By 6-8 weeks old, puppies should be fully weaned and eating solid food well.
Provide proper socialization and stimuli during this rapid development stage. Continue weighing and monitoring health daily. Be diligent about deworming and vaccines on schedule.
Work closely with your vet and document everything to ensure the best start for each puppy as they grow.
Conclusion
Birthing and raising a healthy litter is deeply rewarding yet requires dedication, sleepless nights, and vigilance. Do your part to better the breed by only breeding mature, healthy dams and sires. Ensure you can place puppies in responsible forever homes. If you take the time to prepare and educate yourself, you’ll be able to take the best care of your pregnant dam and new puppies possible.