What to do when your dog is pregnant for the first time?

When your dog's pregnancy is confirmed there are several things you need to do to keep them healthy.
  1. Feed Your Dog Proper Nutrition. ...
  2. Take Your Dog to The Vet. ...
  3. Give Them a Comfortable Nesting Place. ...
  4. Keep Them Away From Other Dogs. ...
  5. Monitor Their Temperature. ...
  6. During the Puppies First Couple of Weeks. ...
  7. As The Puppies Get Older.
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How to take care of a first time pregnant dog?

Pregnant dogs will need to consume 25% to 50% more than their normal food intake by the end of pregnancy, but energy requirements do not increase until about the sixth week. The best diet for pregnant and nursing dogs is a high-quality, nutrient-dense pet food formulated for all life stages.
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What not to do with a pregnant dog?

Most veterinarians advise against vaccinating pregnant dogs, so dogs should be vaccinated well before pregnancy occurs. Get your dog dewormed. Intestinal parasites (such as roundworms and hookworms) can pass from a mother to her puppies.
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What is the first thing to do when a dog gives birth?

It is important to allow your dog to give birth to her puppies in a quiet area without being stressed by her surroundings. You should be observing your dog enough to know that she is safe and that her labour appears normal, without adding to her stress, as this may cause her labour to stop.
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How do you know when a dog is about to give birth?

Contractions

You will know your dog is in labor as soon as contractions begin. Look out for a hardened abdomen. You might even be able to feel the contraction by placing your hands gently on their stomach.
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Helpful Tips for First Time Pregnant Dog

How many puppies can a dog have for the first time?

A dog, breeding for the first time, usually has a smaller litter, with the number of puppies often ranging from 1 to 6 depending on the breed. How many times can a dog have puppies in a year? A dog, depending on her breed and size, can typically have 1 to 2 litters in a year, amounting to approximately 2 to 12 puppies.
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How long does a dog's first stage of labor last?

There are three stages of dog labor. Contractions in the first stage can last 6-12 hours. Puppies are usually born 45-60 minutes apart, but the mother dog may take a break of up to four hours between puppies.
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What comes out first when a dog gives birth?

Most puppies are born head first but some come tail first. Puppies are born inside a thin sac, which the mother will remove, enabling them to breathe. After each puppy, your dog should pass an afterbirth (placenta), which they often eat.
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Can you leave newborn puppies alone with their mom overnight?

Should you leave newborn puppies alone with their mother? You should supervise a mother dog with her newborn puppies to make sure she isn't neglectful or aggressive toward them. You should also keep an eye so that no puppies get accidentally trapped under her, which could suffocate them.
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Can you touch newborn puppies?

In many cases you have to touch them to help remove them from the sac and help cut the cord and clear the airway and clean the whelping area. You should not hold them for too long before they are 3 weeks of age as they are not able to regulate their own body temperature, but they certainly can be held.
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What soothes a pregnant dog?

An orthopedic dog bed will give your pregnant dog the cushioning and the relief her joints need. Just make sure that the dog bed is large enough to accommodate her growing size.
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What should I give my dog if she's pregnant?

Puppy food for pregnant dogs is richer in key nutrients and provides more energy than adult-formula food. Plus, it's easily digestible. These are important things to think about when feeding pregnant dogs.
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What should I feed my dog after she gives birth?

To help your nursing dog get enough nutrition, you can try several tactics:
  • Feed a nutrient-dense diet such as puppy food.
  • Without increasing the amount of food offered at a meal, increase the number of meals throughout the day.
  • Free-choice feed them, offering unlimited access to dry food throughout the day.
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Do and don'ts for pregnant dogs?

Do not feed your dog large breed puppy foods because they often don't include a lot of the nutrients your pregnant pup requires such as calcium and phosphorous. Since your dog won't have as much room in its belly it's usually recommended to feed them smaller meals more frequently.
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Can I bathe my pregnant dog?

The Standard Bathing for Pregnant Dog Method

Do not put pressure on the abdomen and do not use a stiff bristled brush on delicate areas. Pregnant dogs should be bathed as necessary, and about 1 week prior to their due dates, to remove debris, bacteria, and excess hair.
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What does a dog need after giving birth?

Dog Postpartum Care

Looking after your dog after she has given birth is a big responsibility and requires a lot of time and work. Ensure the mother is well hydrated and fed and has occasional toilet breaks on her own. You should also monitor her physical condition, weight, behavior, temperature, and milk production.
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How often should I check on newborn puppies?

The puppies need to be kept warm and should nurse frequently. Check them every few hours to ensure they are warm and well-fed. You should also check the mother to ensure that she is producing adequate and normal-appearing milk.
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What to do when a dog gives birth?

Watch your dog giving birth closely and contact your vet if she rests for longer than two hours. It's normal for some of the litter to be born tail-first, so don't be alarmed if this happens. You may need to gently encourage mum to deliver puppies that are tail-first, but be very careful not to tug.
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What is the best bedding for newborn puppies?

The best bedding materials for a whelping box are soft, warm, have good traction, and are easily cleaned and disinfected. They should be insect-free, moisture resistant, and not easily ingested by puppies.
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Is it painful for dogs to give birth?

Giving birth can be a frightening, confusing and painful experience for both the dog and the owner. Knowing and understanding normal labor and delivery, as well as proper pregnancy care, can help make the process go more smoothly and help you know what is normal and when it is time to get the veterinarian involved.
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Do dogs cry before giving birth?

Contractions in female dogs usually start forty-eight to seventy-two hours before delivering her babies. Sometimes you may hear whining or yelping during contractions. If your dog's stomach should feel different or very firm, this means she is about to have her puppies.
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How can I tell when my dog is getting ready to give birth?

Typically, the first sign that the puppies are soon to come is the bitch's lack of interest in food about 24 hours before whelping. Following this, she will lick at her vulva and have slight abdominal cramping. As the birthing time approaches, the abdominal contractions become more frequent -- about every half hour.
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What to watch for after a dog gives birth?

Issues to Watch for After Your Dog Gives Birth
  • Vaginal Discharge. Vaginal discharge may last in small amounts for up to eight weeks after the puppies are born. ...
  • Fever. ...
  • Eclampsia (Drop in Blood Calcium Levels) ...
  • Metritis (Inflamed Uterus) ...
  • Mastitis (Infected Breast Tissue) ...
  • Agalactia (Not Producing Milk)
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How long after my dog starts panting will she give birth?

You may notice behavior changes in your dog, such as extreme nesting behavior (fervently shredding bedding material, frantic nesting, etc.), discomfort and increased panting. These signs usually occur 6-12 hours before parturition and signify the start of stage I labor, but may last up to 24-36 hours.
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How to help a dog give birth faster?

Some pet owners try to avoid these costs by using natural home remedies such as rubbing the mother's nipples which may help stimulate the production of hormones known to induce labor. Others believe walking the dog in short intervals can help along with massaging stomach muscles.
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