How to care for a pregnant dog

Pregnancy in a dog is a crucial period for both the animal and the owner. For two months, your favorite pet should be surrounded by increased attention and care. The owner of the dog, even without being a veterinarian who knows everything, should become familiar with all the subtleties of the physiological process of his dog. Compliance with the rules of care for the future mother is a guarantee of getting healthy offspring.

Pleasant troubles for a pregnant dog

And the chores are really pleasant. After all, you are warmed by the idea that once a kid selected by you will thank his master for his patience and kindness shown to him for a long time. And as a gift - puppies of your favorite breed, on which, by the way, the exact duration of gestation and its features depend. Paradox, but the size of dogs also affects their litter.Big bitches bring fewer puppies, and little mothers can generously give up to fifteen cubs. The owner must be ready for the generic process in advance, since the offspring can be quite large. Under adverse conditions of keeping a dog and the lack of proper care, there is a possibility of losing the offspring and the mother.

Features of pregnancy dogs

The period from the first mating to the day of birth is 56-72 days. It is advisable not to miss this period. The duration of pregnancy may be reduced due to the small number of offspring. Cases where childbirth occurs much earlier or later result in the death of all offspring. In addition, a small number of puppies usually occurs in young dogs, and by the age of three or four, their number increases.

Determine whether the dog is pregnant is not easy, because the duration of this process is small. The first month does not affect the behavior of the dog. Changes are observed later:

• the animal eats more, drinks, sleeps, becomes calm;
• future mother gains weight, her belly grows;
• body temperature decreases;
• external genitalia are enlarged, and less than 20 days before birth a discharge appears;
• the last day before childbirth appetite disappears completely.

Feeding the dog during pregnancy

At the initial stage of pregnancy, additional activities are not required, supported by the usual way of life and the usual menu. Starting from the third week, the daily routine should be revised. It is during this period that it is necessary to provide good nutrition and balance it depending on the weight at the moment. If you have extra kilos, limit your daily diet. Excessive weight interferes with safely feet. Thin dogs, make an addition to the daily portion. Milk porridges, cottage cheese, raw meat and boiled liver are obligatory, as well as grated vegetables with the addition of vegetable oil. Fresh cabbage is forbidden, since it is a product that promotes the release of gases. During the first month of pregnancy, the diet is normal - twice a day and regularly change the water to clean. From the second month, it is recommended to eat three meals a day, and after seven weeks, transfer the pregnant woman to a four-time meal schedule.

Accompanying care activities

Exercise will also have to be revised. In the first half of gestational age, it is allowed to continue training or regular work, if any. Closer to a significant event it is recommended to reduce the load, long walks and active games, give the bitch an opportunity to relax more. Protect from contact with other dogs, especially dogs.

In advance (about 10 days), prepare a place with a new bedding, convenient for sleeping, and later for giving birth. Choose a secluded area so that the animal feels protected and after receiving offspring. In winter, do not leave a pregnant dog on the street, as well as in hot weather. The optimum temperature for her and puppies should be about + 24.5 degrees.

Try to protect the expectant mother from all sorts of stress. Subsequently, this will affect the puppies, even their mental abilities.

If possible, use the services of a veterinarian so that a specialist can monitor how the pregnancy proceeds throughout the entire period.It is advisable to have a nearby veterinary station in case of unforeseen complications.

In the middle of the term is possible manifestation of toxemia. Her, like a man, can feel sick. Then the dog eats very little or refuses to eat at all. In such cases, do not force. Exclude foods that, based on your observations, can cause negative changes in the dog's body. And better just show a few days of patience, and your appetite will return with the disappearance of toxicosis. If the condition of the dog does not change - veterinary care is required.

The physiological characteristics of this period are characterized by increased urination. You are required to take care of more frequent walks, protecting the animal from communicating with other brethren.

There are cases when the pregnancy was false. Beginning its development, the fetus employs some functions of the body, and its work continues while the embryos disappear at an early stage. That is, all the signs of pregnancy are manifested, in fact, non-existent. The right way out in this situation is to contact a veterinarian.A specialist should be consulted about anthelmintic drugs, since after a three-week gestation period, de-worming is mandatory. For this purpose, special preparations are sold that do not harm the future stock.

Do not allow the process of physiological changes in the state of one of the family members to take their course, even this animal is empty. A few weeks of heightened attention and care for a pregnant dog will be rewarded with newborn puppies - an exact replica of your pet in childhood.

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