Pregnant Dogs
When your pride and joy is expecting several of her own pride and joys, there is much to consider to keep your pregnant dog and puppies safe, as well as to make it as painless as possible. Gestation can vary from 59-65 days for most pregnant dogs, with an average of 63 days. The size of the litter is dependent on several factors such as the size of the pregnant dog. Smaller dogs have smaller litters and larger dogs have bigger litters. The number of puppies also varies depending upon the mother's age and health, the father's sperm count, and the time of breeding. A litter of puppies averages at 6 per litter. One of the most important factors to stay on top of with pregnant dogs during the course of their pregnancy is their diet. Pregnant dogs require 1.5 times the normal amount of food at birth, and then up to 3 times as much to support lactation after birth. A lot of pet owners also make the mistake of giving their pregnant dogs calcium supplements during pregnancy, which results in an overage of calcium. Too much calcium causes premature c-sections when uterine enertia occurs. Always consult a veterinarian on what supplements are best to give your pregnant dog to avoid conditions such as vaginitis and cystitis. When you're expecting puppies you should always know your veterinarian's emergency procedure information. If they refer emergencies to an emergency clinic, make sure you have the clinic's number, who to call, and where the clinic is. Also, make arrangements ahead of time for your puppies to be in a warm, safe, environment as more puppies die from hypothermia than anything else. Find out more information on how to take care of pregnant dogs within the numerous articles here on Vetinfo.com.