Sunday, December 30, 2007
Caring for a Pregnant Pet
In the wild, dogs and similar mammals are perfectly capable of rearing their own young with no outside help, but in a world where domestic dogs depend on humans for their food and shelter, the owner can have a significant impact on the success of their dog’s pregnancy. Yes, the mother will do most of the work, but a little cooperation and help from the owner will help to insure a safe and healthy birth. However, before even embarking on this journey, start by considering whether these new puppies will have good homes, and decide for your pet whether she should have puppies or not.
There are hundreds of dogs being euthanized in animal shelters daily because there are not enough owners to take them in. Make certain that your puppies will have a good home before choosing not to spay your dog. The canine over-population problem is only increasing, so you must carefully consider this before moving forward.
Once you have decided to allow your dog to have puppies and your dog has then become pregnant, there are several things you can do to make the average 63 day process run more smoothly. The biggest impact you will have on your pregnant pet is their diet. An expecting dog will need more nourishment as the litter develops. It is important for an owner to be sensitive to this increase in need as well as consider a food that is approved for the growing process. Most dogs experience a loss of appetite and nausea about three weeks into the pregnancy. This is normal and similar to what humans call “morning sickness,” but if it lasts for more than a week or two there might be other complications. If this is the case, you should notify a veterinarian.
After about a month of pregnancy, you should take your dog to visit a vet. Your vet can then do a full wellness check and confirm the pregnancy with a blood test. They will also be able to make any general recommendations as well as breed specific advice. Most vets will recommend continuing with regular exercise, but not to do anything that is too intensive because of possible stress. Though obesity can complicate pregnancy, this is not the time to get your dog in shape. Too much exercise or a dramatic drop in caloric intake can endanger the liter. This is also not the time to catch up on vaccinations. Many vaccinations include sera that can actually harm a developing fetus.
Parasites are another concern for the owner of a pregnant dog. If the mother is already taking a heartworm preventative medicine, she may continue doing so without risk. All heartworm medications must be approved for use during pregnancy. Flea control is another important concern, but you must be careful which product you choose, as not all flea medicines are okay for puppies.
These are just a few things to keep in mind when you have a pregnant pet. Remember, that your dog will instinctually care her young, but you are the own responsible for the health of your dog. She is dependant on you to have a successful pregnancy and healthy puppies.
About the Author: Dean Burton is the owner of MyDreamPuppy.com, a leading provider of puppies for sale. You can find a variety of dogs for sale that would be great for families or personal companionship. For more information, please visit MyDreamPuppy.com.
There are hundreds of dogs being euthanized in animal shelters daily because there are not enough owners to take them in. Make certain that your puppies will have a good home before choosing not to spay your dog. The canine over-population problem is only increasing, so you must carefully consider this before moving forward.
Once you have decided to allow your dog to have puppies and your dog has then become pregnant, there are several things you can do to make the average 63 day process run more smoothly. The biggest impact you will have on your pregnant pet is their diet. An expecting dog will need more nourishment as the litter develops. It is important for an owner to be sensitive to this increase in need as well as consider a food that is approved for the growing process. Most dogs experience a loss of appetite and nausea about three weeks into the pregnancy. This is normal and similar to what humans call “morning sickness,” but if it lasts for more than a week or two there might be other complications. If this is the case, you should notify a veterinarian.
After about a month of pregnancy, you should take your dog to visit a vet. Your vet can then do a full wellness check and confirm the pregnancy with a blood test. They will also be able to make any general recommendations as well as breed specific advice. Most vets will recommend continuing with regular exercise, but not to do anything that is too intensive because of possible stress. Though obesity can complicate pregnancy, this is not the time to get your dog in shape. Too much exercise or a dramatic drop in caloric intake can endanger the liter. This is also not the time to catch up on vaccinations. Many vaccinations include sera that can actually harm a developing fetus.
Parasites are another concern for the owner of a pregnant dog. If the mother is already taking a heartworm preventative medicine, she may continue doing so without risk. All heartworm medications must be approved for use during pregnancy. Flea control is another important concern, but you must be careful which product you choose, as not all flea medicines are okay for puppies.
These are just a few things to keep in mind when you have a pregnant pet. Remember, that your dog will instinctually care her young, but you are the own responsible for the health of your dog. She is dependant on you to have a successful pregnancy and healthy puppies.
About the Author: Dean Burton is the owner of MyDreamPuppy.com, a leading provider of puppies for sale. You can find a variety of dogs for sale that would be great for families or personal companionship. For more information, please visit MyDreamPuppy.com.
Labels: dogs for sale, pregnant dog, pregnant pet care
// posted by Dean Burton @ 10:09 AM 
Subscribe to Posts [Atom]