9 Necessary Care During Pregnancy And Lactation Of Dogs
Pregnancy and lactation are very important stages in a dog’s life. For this reason, being informed is essential to keeping our pets healthy. Below, we share a series of tips for tackling these steps.
canine pregnancy
A female dog’s gestation period lasts approximately nine weeks. It is advisable that the pregnancy process be guided by a specialist, as as the pregnancy progresses, it will be necessary to incorporate new steps into the animal’s routine.
Food modification
Weight gain will not be noticed until the fifth or sixth week of pregnancy. It is from that moment on that the feeding must be modified, so that the puppies receive the necessary nutrients.
For this reason, food intake will increase progressively from the fifth to the ninth week. At that time, the amount of feed will be a third more than normal.
Some aspects can act as limitations to changing the diet, as in the case of bitches that suffer from some disease or had a certain physical condition before pregnancy. Therefore, it is essential to follow the veterinarian’s recommendations.
keep hydrated
It is essential that the female stay hydrated and drink water frequently. So keep clean, fresh water available at all times.
Also, if the type of feed provided is dry, it is essential that the animal has an accessible water source, especially in the last weeks of gestation.
Exercise
It is interesting that the female does light exercise during pregnancy. Therefore, it is advisable to keep to daily walks, although the time and distance of the walk should be reduced.
comfort above all
When the date of delivery approaches, a “little corner” with blankets or towels is usually prepared in a cardboard box called a “nest”. There, the female can give birth peacefully. The purpose of the nest is to ensure that the female is comfortable and feels secure.
canine breastfeeding
Newborn puppies have not completed their development and are able to perform a few functions properly. Therefore, they need special care and a lot of dedication.
The following steps should be taken into consideration:
Keep your temperature regulated
Puppies are not able to properly regulate their body temperature. This can have serious consequences for your health.
Therefore, the puppy must be kept at a stable temperature. Avoid low temperatures, as the puppy decreases its digestive activity and its sucking reflex may disappear.
The ideal temperature is above 34°C, as it will then be able to suck and digest the milk correctly. If it is between 32°C and 34°C, it can only suck, but not digest. For this reason, it is advisable to warm the puppy to 34°C before feeding him.
keep them hydrated
Puppies are 82% water and lose a significant amount of water and heat. For this reason, it is convenient to keep them in an environment with 60% humidity.
If the place falls below this level, they can become dehydrated; if the humidity is above 60%, the risk of bacterial growth increases.
Control the food provided
Newborns do not completely regulate their glucose levels. To ensure adequate nutrition and control blood glucose, it is recommended that puppies are fed frequently and with specific proportions of nutrients.
immature immune system
Puppies require colostrum so that they can receive antibodies from the mother, as these are not transmitted through the placenta; your immune system has not yet matured.
To avoid health problems, hygiene must be correct. The puppy should be kept in a clean, disinfected environment and colostrum administered as soon as possible.
It is also worth noting that your digestive system is not functional. They are unable to digest starch and cannot evacuate like adults.
What kind of milk should puppies drink?
From birth to weaning, the baby only feeds on milk. However, not all types of milk are properly assimilated by it.
Cow’s milk should never be offered. The composition of cow’s and bitch’s milk is different, which can cause intestinal problems in the puppy due to the high lactose content, as well as growth disorders, as it does not have the necessary nutrient content.
If, for any reason, the puppy cannot breastfeed the mother’s milk, there are different proposals on the market. You can find a special formula, which should meet nutritional needs and protect the animals’ digestive system.
It may also be important to administer a supplement of DHA, a fatty acid present in the dog’s milk, as well as in the retina and brain of puppies.
Conclusion on pregnancy and lactation of dogs
It is worth reiterating that all these tips are just guidelines and that each case of pregnancy and lactation in dogs has its own characteristics, which should be discussed with a veterinarian.
