Breeding

Care of the pregnant female

Care of the pregnant female

When you bring your female home after breeding be sure to guard her carefully until she has gone completely out of season and has returned to normal. Then let her live her life as usual for the next three weeks, exercising her every day without fail. Have her examined by a veterinarian around the twenty-eight days to determine if she is pregnant. At this stage, a veterinarian can palpate her abdomen and feel the slightest enlargements in her uterus. If she is pregnant, ask the veterinarian’s advice about diet and the addition of a vitamin and mineral supplement. 
During the fourth week, gradually increases the female’s food intake. Canine nutritionists agree that pregnancy and lactation are the most critical stress periods in a female dog’s life. She requires increased levels of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and energy, and if she does not receive adequate nourishment for herself and her developing puppies, she will deplete her body reserves. 

As your female’s appetite and food intake increase, offer two meals a day instead of one. As her uterus enlarges, you may want to further divide her daily rations into three or four meals to avoid overloading her stomach. 

In the last half of pregnancy, exercise is important, but it must not be too strenuous. Guard her against jumping and roughhousing, for as the size of the litter increases, she may injure herself or her puppies. If you must pick her up be very careful. Support her hindquarters and set her down gently. Don’t let her squeeze through swing doors. If in any doubt about her condition, let the veterinarian look her over. 

Dogs usually deliver sixty-three days after the mating; often, however, it is a day or two more or less. Keep a record of the date of mating. Figure the probable delivery or whelping date and be ready for it.