Dog Care During Pregnancy

All reputable breeders are aware of the breeding date of females and are able to provide appropriate dog care during the pregnancy. Many will count six weeks from the breeding date on the calendar, and then begin pre-whelping dog care. Usually, the females are brought into a special whelping area for lots of TLC. She is put on a special diet of high protein, wormed and has a bed that will become her nest when the babies arrive. Over the two weeks, she is handled a lot, groomed and the closer to the due date given lots of time to sleep and relax.

Food For The Pregnant Mother

Up until the last two weeks of the pregnancy before the mother whelps, she can be fed her regular diet. She will go through a streak where she eats and eats, almost as if she cannot get her fill. But two weeks before she is due, it is a good idea to allow her “all you want to eat” puppy food with high protein, as this is the time when the puppies grow the most. As she gets closer to whelping, she will eat less, but this is not a sign of concerns over dog health, it is perfectly natural. Typically the day of delivery she will not eat at all – but some of the dogs will eat all that day and even during delivery. Most breeders will know how their female reacts during pregnancy and her behavior is a signal with regards to dog health and dog care during this time.

It may be important to carefully monitor the female's bowel movement during the pregnancy. A small amount of natural or lamb and rice canned food may be added to the kibble to help keep stools soft and the digestive system working well. Avoid foods with lots of corn or preservatives as these can cause allergic reactions in both mom and puppies.  

Worming During Pregnancy

Worming is the most important thing for a breeder to keep up on. Most breeders worm at least two weeks before the puppies are due as part of their dog care pre-whelping routine. The female is weighed at this time to adjust the dosage correctly. It is important for dog health to not over medicate or under medicate with regards to the wormer. Some of the top wormers are Pyrantel and Ivermectin. Pyrantel is often used on the  pregnant mother instead of Ivermectin, as it is kinder on her system and gentler on the puppies.

Pyrantel is safely used with pregnant females, and can be used with dogs, cattle, horses, sheep, and pigs. It is used for the treatment of roundworms, in addition to hookworms, threadworms, and pinworms, being repeated 2 to 4 weeks apart in order to eliminate all stages of the parasite. Many vets prefer the brand Nemex for pyrantel worming, but it is a common wormer and can be found in most animal stores.

Roundworms and Puppies

Roundworms enter the system of the embryonic development and live puppy through the infected mother, so this is why worming the mother two weeks before delivery should be routine.  This can be repeated every two weeks with the puppies until they are taken home by their new owners.  

Dog care during pregnancy is more than just good management, it also includes looking after dog health issues as well as the relaxation and comfort of the mother and the puppies.