Avoid These When Caring for a Mother Dog
Last week, we’ve just given you top tips on how to provide the best post-delivery care for your dog. Now you may ask, “What are the mistakes I should avoid doing?”
To answer that, we’re posting this article to give you an overview of things you should avoid when taking care of your dog that just gave birth. If you have any more questions, feel free to reach us on the comment section below.
Many first-time (and even long-time) dog owners commit mistakes that can lead to their dogs’ illnesses and even death. These are diseases that can be avoided, caused by mistakes that are often overlooked by owners.
These mistakes can be avoided given the right guidance and proper directive. For example, a common mistake is to bathe the mother dog immediately after giving birth. While this act is of good nature, it can be a terrible mistake since dogs are immensely weak and vulnerable to sicknesses right after delivery.
Another common mistake is to give cow’s milk to puppies in the hopes of weaning them off their mother immediately. It is a big mistake to do this because mother’s milk is the best source of nutrition for puppies. Any other milk is deemed toxic to them, and giving cow’s milk or any other milk other than dog-sourced can cause illnesses, even death, to puppies.
What should you avoid when taking care of your dog that just gave birth? Here are some of the most common mistakes and how you can avoid them:
- Putting the mother dog and her newborn puppies in either a cold or hot area
The mother dog and her newborn puppies are particularly sensitive to cold during the first few weeks after delivery, and they can only best thrive when placed in a well-ventilated and warm area.
If you live in a cold area, make sure to provide some sort of heating for your dogs. A common way to do this is to put up a fluorescent lamp where the puppies are staying. If you live in a hot area, you can help the dogs cool down by opening the windows or putting up a fan set on a low setting around the area.
How would you know if you’ve set the best environment for your dogs to thrive? Your best bet is to watch out and check your dogs’ behavior. If they are shivering, it means the area is still cold enough for them. If they are panting, then you should find ways to make the area a bit cooler.
- Not changing your dogs’ linings often
It may sound obvious, but some owners fail to change the linings of where their dogs and puppies are staying just because the area does not look dirty. Bacteria and viruses can thrive in these places, so make sure that you change these linings at least twice a day. These can ensure that your dogs and puppies have a healthy and happy home to grow and recover.
- Not feeding the mother dog as often
Breastfeeding is a tough activity for mothers, and so you should be giving the best possible nutrition to support your dog. Mother dogs need a lot of calories, so make sure you feed them at least three to four times a day. You should give them a diet rich in carbohydrates, protein, vitamins, and minerals. And it is also crucial to have them take vitamins that can further give them the nutrition they need. Essential supplements include calcium, milk enhancing, and ferrous vitamins.
These are some of the most common mistakes you should avoid when providing after-delivery care for your dog. Mother dogs are vulnerable to eclampsia, mastitis, and infections, so make sure that you take care of them well during this challenging time. Frequent and nutritious feedings, and providing a safe, clean and well-ventilated area are essential to helping your dog and puppies achieve the best of health.v
