Dog behavior before childbirth: signs and symptoms, helpful tips

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

You are looking forward to the appearance of the first puppies in your life, there are only a few days left before their birth, but here's the problem: how to understand exactly when your pet will start giving birth and how the dog's behavior will change before giving birth? Oddly enough, during the gestation of the offspring, the behavior of the dog may or may not change. It depends on the individual characteristics of your four-legged family member. Well, if the female has already given birth, and you know the line of her condition and behavior. Otherwise, carefully monitor the well-being of the expectant mother so that in the future her behavior does not raise questions. However, there are a number of overlapping factors, which will be discussed below. Childbirth is not only pleasant memories and affection for newborn puppies, but also a huge responsible job. It is better to prepare in advance for replenishment in the family and to know a number of symptoms of the imminent birth of offspring.

How long do dogs get pregnant?

In simple terms, no more than two months. In a normal course, the pregnancy should end in childbirth somewhere after 61-63 days. There are slight deviations in 2-3 days, howeverthis does not indicate any pathology.

How do you know if your pet is pregnant?

It's impossible to say anything early on. Sometimes the bitch becomes quieter, more peaceful, eats a lot or a little. You can only notice something in the second month of bearing puppies:

1. Belly enlarges.
2. Weight increases.
3. Mammary glands protrude and slightly change color at the nipples.
4. Something like mucous discharge comes from the penis.
5. Gently feeling the stomach, you feel hard lumps.

The last and already "finishing" factor - the dog is trying in every possible way to equip his home for puppies. You will immediately notice it and will not confuse it with anything. It is better to go to the vet in the second month and take an x-ray to know how many babies to expect.

What are the signs that labor will start soon?

The behavior of a dog before birth can be calm or vice versa, nervous and aggressive. It is quite difficult to try to determine by the external state in how many hours your pet is expecting replenishment. Just look closely at your dog and you will see those very signs of a dog before giving birth.

• Place for future puppies. The bitch will do her best to slowly equip a new house for her cubs. You will probably notice how the pot-bellied miracle carefully drags all sorts of rags and soft things past you into his couch or any other place.
• Delicious food. Everything delicious that you give your dog, she does not eat right away, but hides somewhere in the house.
• Aggression or calmness? The female may be aggressive towards others in order to protect her offspring, or be indifferent to everyone. It can especially “fly in” for those who approached the couch of the expectant mother.
• Sagging belly. The dog's belly sags before giving birth. If you look at your pet from above, she seems thinner than before. A sagging belly is a sure sign that puppies are almost ready to go outside.
• The external genitals increase.
• Mucus discharge may also be present.
• Milk. In the eighth week, you may notice drops of milk at the nipples.

How to prepare for childbirth?

The first thing to do is, a couple of weeks before the expected birth, arrange a place where the dog will be with his puppies. The second is to let your pet get used to it. During the last week it is better to take a vacation and be with the dog all the time. Do not invite acquaintances and friends home, because the pet may become more nervous because of strangers. Arrange with the veterinarian so that in which case he will come to you immediately. If your mother-to-be has long hair, trim it carefully around the genital area. Remember: in the last week you should have everything ready. You will need:

1. Threads (you will tie the umbilical cord with them, it is better to process them in advance).
2. Box (this is where you put the newborn puppies, it is important that the mother can approach her cubs).
3. Waste container (here you will throw dirtycloths, diapers and other waste).
4. Watch and sheet with a pen (this will make it easier for you to calculate the time of the appearance of the puppies, you will also write down the time of birth, gender, color and weight of the puppy).
5. Small scales.
6. A large number of diapers, rags (everything must be sterile).
7. Scissors (should also be sterile).
8. Clean wipes.
9. Solution (for hand treatment).
10. Dog thermometer (to monitor its temperature).
11. Indoor thermometer (in order to keep abreast of the temperature surrounding newborns).
12. Water bottle (you should put it in the puppy box).

How to arrange a dog bed?

• Where to arrange a place for childbirth? You can place the dog after the birth in one place, and before the birth in another. In any case, take care of the arrangement in advance. A place somewhere away from doors, drafts will do. What should be the place? Dry, spacious, comfortable, soft, warm, durable, open (this will make it easier for you to access puppies, and the pet will feel better next to its beloved owner).
• Which is best? Large box or playpen. Important: make one of the walls of the dog house slightly lower than the others, the dog should be able to come out of its hiding place at will, but the puppies cannot.
• Separate place for childbirth. A large bed or a sofa that needs to be covered with a diaper and a sheet will do. This solution is beneficial for large four-legged friends.
• Heating system. A speciallamp or heating pad. In the first days of the week, the temperature should not fall below 28 degrees, after that you can gradually lower it to 20.

Remember: after giving birth, the box where you put the litter should be replaced.

Symptoms of imminent birth of puppies

As described above, the behavior of a dog before giving birth depends on the individual characteristics of each individual. However, almost all females before giving birth are busy with their bed and its improvement. Prepartum symptoms in dogs can either appear all at once or not at all. There is one sure symptom of imminent birth - temperature. The fact is that the dog's temperature before giving birth drops to 36.6-37.5 degrees, which is an unnaturally low indicator for ordinary he althy dogs (usually the temperature is kept at 38-39 degrees). Most often, milk comes out of the nipples when pressed. This indicates that your dog is about to give birth.

Before the birth itself, the pet may moan, tremble, as her water breaks. It is better to put her in a pre-prepared place and not go far.

Also, a day or half a day before giving birth, a four-legged friend may refuse to eat.

How does a dog behave before giving birth?

To the above, it should be added that during the prenatal stage, the pet is worried, struggling to equip its couch, heavy breathing is felt by the pet. Plus, a four-legged friend can look under her tail in anticipation. Dog behavior before birthmake the owner himself worry, but you should not show your worries, as this will affect the expectant mother. Your floor may also suffer, as the dog will “dig” it. She can also hide in dark corners so that no one sees her. Sometimes a dog before childbirth becomes a “tail” of the owner and pursues him absolutely everywhere. This is due to the fact that your pet is already feeling the first pains. Her eyes are focused on nearby objects, and her tail is in a strange pose (stretched back with the tip down).

Stages of dog birth

As soon as you notice that labor has begun, call your veterinarian. The birth of a dog is divided into four stages:

• Prenatal period. In order not to miss this one, be aware of the temperature of the dog before giving birth. The birth canal of the pet is revealed. Mucous discharge from the vagina is observed. The bitch may tremble, moan and breathe frequently. Duration: Two hours to a day (if contractions last longer, see your veterinarian).
• Intensification of contractions. The dog's contractions intensify, which is logical to assume, based on the name. The abdominal muscles contract. You can check this by placing your palm on your pet's stomach. The animal may even scream in pain.
• Birth of puppies, afterbirth. At this stage, the water begins to drain from the pet - a bubble with liquid bursts. This bubble protects the puppy from being strangled by the umbilical cord. The duration between the break and the birth of the first cub is no more than three hours. Puppies are born both head first and tail first. There is no particular difference. If athe female will not bite through the umbilical cord herself or will not pay attention to the puppy at all, take care of it yourself. Carefully cut the umbilical cord or watch your doctor do it. It is important to free the puppy from the amniotic membrane and clean its muzzle from liquid, stimulate the respiratory system. The puppy appears not alone, but with an afterbirth. The afterbirth looks like a strange blood mass, vaguely resembling a liver. The female usually tries to eat the afterbirth as soon as it comes out.
• Postpartum. The dog may experience postpartum shock, which is expressed in the desire to kill their cubs. The shock usually lasts no longer than a day. Place the puppies every two hours and keep a close eye on the process and the behavior of the dog. If the shock persists, consult a specialist. Duration: from the moment the last placenta comes out to 3-5 weeks, that is, until the female recovers. To be sure that all the puppies have come out, remember the number of puppies in the picture, or wait at least two hours. If there is a noticeable stench from the vagina, contact your veterinarian immediately.

When to take a dog in labor to the vet?

It is better to give birth in a hospital initially if the male was larger than the female or if the female weighs less than 4 kg and if the pregnancy was difficult.

When to go to the hospital or call the vet:

• Vaginal discharge smells unbearably.
• Long pauses between the exit of puppies (more than an hour and a half), before the arrival of the doctor, massage the dog's stomach with light movements.
• Temperature above 40degrees (this is a sign of the death of the puppy).
• Pet restlessness after childbirth, impaired coordination, seizures.
• Loss of consciousness.
• The duration of the prenatal period takes longer than a day.
• Birth of a dead puppy.
• The last last one doesn't come out.

You will be much calmer if you invite a veterinarian to the house with the necessary set of medicines.

What should I do if my dog is shaking before giving birth?

The sight of a shaking bitch can scare inexperienced owners. Do not panic ahead of time. It is normal for a pregnant dog to tremble, whine from contractions before giving birth. Don't worry prematurely. Put the pet in her bed.

Helpful tips

• Properly feed your dog during pregnancy (expensive food for pregnant and lactating dogs or natural food with added vitamin supplements).
• Take care of your dog's hygiene during pregnancy and childbirth.
• Dead (?) puppy. A puppy can be born lifeless. Don't give up. Just gently and actively rub it with a clean towel and quickly remove the mucus from the nose and mouth with gauze, massage the chest, shake it upside down. Carefully open his mouth. Do everything to make the puppy squeal.
• If the female is low on milk, start giving her more dairy products.
• Puppy without a bubble. You need to quickly clear the airways by sucking the mucus with your mouth.
• The umbilical cord should be cut immediately,to exclude the formation of an umbilical hernia in a cub.
• Change diapers after every puppy.
• It is important to put the first-born to the bitch as soon as possible so that he starts sucking milk. This stimulates the birth of other puppies.
• The puppy should defecate, starting the digestion mechanism. If this does not happen, massage his abdomen and anus with a piece of wet cotton wool.
• Treat mother's nipples after every walk.

One last piece of advice: never give your dog medication without a veterinarian present to avoid death of the dog.

Be as sensitive, attentive and collected as possible, and then you will have wonderful he althy puppies. Your dog will thank you with devotion, love and endless trust.