How to Keep Your Dog Healthy After Giving Birth

The best way to ensure your dog stays healthy after giving birth is to have a fundamental understanding of the canine birthing process. Keep in mind that dogs have been reproducing for thousands of years, and it is a natural process, but there are a few things you can do to help. You should take your dog to a veterinary clinic for a post-birth checkup to ensure all puppies have been delivered.

Wipe your dog with a warm, damp cloth. Make sure to clean off any blood, amniotic fluid, and waste. Proper hygiene helps reduce the risk of infections.

• You may notice a discharge called ‘lochia’ for a few weeks after birth. This fluid naturally forms from the shedding uterine lining. The discharge should not have a foul smell and can range from brownish-green to reddish-brown, resembling blood.
• If your dog does not lick its puppies shortly after birth, you can help by gently wiping their faces and noses with a damp cloth to remove the amniotic sac. Then immediately return the puppies to their mother.
• If the mother seems unwilling to clean her puppies, you will need to rub them with a clean towel to encourage their breathing.

Remove the dirty bedding from the birthing area. You can take the dog outside to relieve itself while someone inside cleans the bedding.

• Regularly clean the bedding to ensure the area remains hygienic.
• Keep a stack of fresh bedding near the nesting area for easy replacement.

Allow the dog to rest. Your dog may sleep for a few hours after giving birth while its puppies nurse or sleep. When she wakes up, she may begin to recognize and care for her pups.

• If the mother shows no interest in her puppies, it could be a sign of infection. Look for other signs of distress, such as whining, dilated pupils, or foul-smelling discharge. If these symptoms appear, take her to the vet immediately.
• Since your dog might sleep more than usual, keep an eye out for signs of discomfort or restlessness.

Ensure the dog drinks plenty of water during and after the birth.

• If your dog refuses water, try offering chicken broth for her to lick.

Carefully monitor your dog's health for several weeks after giving birth. While your dog may sleep more than usual, her eyes should be alert when she wakes up. A healthy dog also eats well.

• Feed your dog several small meals a day instead of two or one large meal like before. You can increase her food intake a few weeks before and after birth. It is normal for a pregnant or post-birth dog to eat 3-4 times more.
• Many veterinarians recommend feeding puppies food that is higher in calories during this period. Gradually introduce this nutritional change to help your dog adjust.
• You can also add special treats to encourage her appetite, such as cheese, eggs, liver, or other packaged treats.
• Ensure your dog has access to clean water. Add some chicken broth to her kibble to provide extra nutrients through liquid absorption.

Watch for signs of infection. Your dog may experience a rise in body temperature within 24-48 hours after giving birth. This is normal, as long as it’s not accompanied by any signs of illness.

• Signs of infection in dogs include restlessness, neglecting the puppies, and foul-smelling discharge. If you notice any of these symptoms, contact the vet immediately.

Check your dog's nipples twice daily. Normal nipples should be soft and expand to allow milk to flow. If the nipples are hard or swollen, this could indicate an infection.

• If your dog refuses to nurse her puppies, check if her nipples are infected. Mastitis, an infection of the mammary glands, can be treated with antibiotics. Take your dog to the vet for assistance.
• You can check the nipples by gently squeezing them. If your dog reacts with pain or the nipples feel hard and red to the touch, this could be a sign of mastitis.
• Your dog's milk should be smooth and white, with no clumps. The color of the milk can also indicate infection, with yellow or pink being signs of trouble.

Look for signs of uterine infection. Check for signs of infection within 24-48 hours after birth. Uterine infection can result from retained placental tissue or complications during labor.

• Signs of uterine infection include fever, foul-smelling discharge, loss of appetite, or lack of interest in caring for the puppies.
• If you observe any of these signs, take your dog to the vet immediately.

Observe for signs of eclampsia in the weeks following birth. Eclampsia (milk fever) is caused by a calcium deficiency and can lead to seizures, muscle spasms, and even death.

• Signs of eclampsia include restlessness, muscle tremors, and muscle weakness.
• If you notice any signs of eclampsia, take your dog to the vet right away.

Closely monitor to ensure the mother is properly caring for her puppies. During the first week, the mother will spend most of her time with her litter. A healthy dog will show love and willingly nurse her puppies.

• Make sure the puppies have a clean and safe space to nurse. Clean the bedding and keep it dry. Relocate the bedding to a quieter area with fewer disturbances.
• Keep the whelping area warm. Ideally, the temperature should be around 29°C during the first week. If your home is warmer, use a fan to cool the puppies. In colder climates, use a heater to keep them warm.
• Trim the puppies' nails to prevent them from scratching their mother.

Assist in the weaning process. At three weeks old, the puppies can start licking soft foods. By this time, they can begin weaning. Replace one feeding of mother's milk with formula to help them transition to solids and provide extra nutrition. After two days of weaning, you can mix formula with puppy food to create a soft food mixture.

• Gradually increase the amount of solid food over time. The consistency should change from soup to porridge and eventually oatmeal within a week.
• The puppies will still nurse during the weaning process. By the sixth week, start feeding them wet food and puppy kibble. They should be completely weaned by the eighth week.

Stimulate with toys. The puppies will begin to perceive their surroundings by the third week. They will start teething and need something to chew on. You can offer them toys to attract their attention and stimulate their play skills.

• Begin exposing the puppies to everyday sounds. Let them meet new people one at a time and allow each person to play with them. Turn on the radio or TV at home to help them adjust.