After your dog gives birth, it’s important to monitor the mum and her puppies to ensure no complications follow and that everyone remains healthy. Mum and puppies should be checked by a vet within 3 days of the birth, sooner if you are worried. 

The period after the birth is called postnatal or postpartum. During this time, it’s important to ensure that your dog recovers from the strain of giving birth so that she can nurse her puppies and stay healthy. Watch for signs your dog is unwell and speak to a vet if you notice any changes.

Why

Why does my dog have specific needs during the postpartum period?

In the days and weeks after giving birth, your dog will go through several hormonal changes. Suddenly, she has puppies to feed and look after. You can expect several behaviour changes while she gets used to the new normal for her and to having a new focus.

Lactation will lead to higher nutritional needs and potentially cause weight loss and metabolic issues if adequate nutrition is not provided. Infections and inflammation may affect her behaviour and how well she is able to look after the puppies. The size of the litter and how experienced she is at looking after the puppies will also affect the way your dog responds to this period.

Postpartum care tips:

• If your dog has a long coat, cut the long hair around her tail, hind legs and mammary area. Your groomer or vet nurse can do this if you need help. This will help keep her clean and allow the puppies to feed more easily.
• Check her teats daily for signs of redness, soreness and milk production.
• Monitor any vaginal discharge closely for the first week after giving birth.
• Check the puppies daily to make sure they are nursing well and keeping warm.
• Monitor and record the puppies weight daily for the first week and then weigh them weekly. Any weight loss or failure to gain 10% of body weight per day, beyond the first 24 hours, indicates a potential problem.

What to expect during the first few days of newborn puppies:

• Puppies are born blind and deaf and are only able to see and hear after approximately 2 to 3 weeks. Puppies are born without teeth.
• Puppies will spend an average of 16 hours a day sleeping and feeding regularly. Care should be taken to avoid disturbing the litter or the mother.
• Initially, they can’t poo without mum’s help. The action of licking the puppies over their tummy and genital area, promotes defecation.
• Puppies’ eyes begin to open 10 to 14 days after birth and during the third week, the ears gradually begin to function.
• As they grow older, they may start to show interest in their mother’s food, this may happen at around 4 weeks old, when the weaning process begins.

Things to lookout for

Things to look out for after your dog gives birth

In the first few days to weeks after birth, watch out for the following signs:

Mastitis

• pain or discomfort around the teat
• swelling and redness of the teat
• change in the milk colour and consistency
• fever
• reduced appetite
• lethargy

Metritis

• smelly vaginal discharge mixed with blood or a dark green colour
• swollen abdomen
• reduced appetite
• vomiting
• decreased maternal instincts
• decreased or absent milk production

Eclampsia or milk fever

• restlessness
• anxiety
• panting
• muscle tremors
• rigid legs
• convulsions or seizures

What to do

Caring for your dog after birth

First few days after whelping

• Allow the mum to bond with her puppies and provide a quiet, warm, and safe environment.
• Keep the whelping area clean and comfortable, and avoid unnecessary disturbances.
• Start gently handling and rubbing the puppies at 3-4 days of age to help them cope with stress and human contact more effectively later in life.
• Monitor the puppies weight gain weekly, ensuring they are nursing well.

Vet checks

• Schedule a post-natal vet check-up to ensure your dog and her puppies are well
• This should be done in the first 3 days after birth
• The vet will check for birth defects and general well-being
• Take mummy or puppies to your vet sooner if you have any worries

Nutrition after birth

• When your dog becomes pregnant, it’s important to consult with a vet for specific dietary recommendations based on breed, size, and individual needs.
• Provide a highly nutritious diet while she is nursing her puppies. Vets usually recommend high-quality puppy food.
• Feed your dog 3-4 meals throughout the day towards the end of the pregnancy and for the first 6-8 weeks after giving birth.
• The size of her litter will determine how much food and water she will need.
• You should not give your dog calcium supplements or any other type of supplement unless advised by your vet.

Deworming

Always speak to your vet for advice before choosing a wormer because not all treatments are licensed for pregnant and lactating dogs.

• Fenbendazole: should be given to mum daily from day 40 of pregnancy until 2 days after whelping.
• Puppies: start a deworming plan at 2-4 weeks old.

What not to do

What not to do with your dog and puppies after birth

Stressful environment

• Avoiding stress is particularly important during the first few weeks after whelping.
• Create a clean, comfortable and stress-free environment for mum and puppies:
  • Minimise disruptions such as loud noises, excessive people touching the puppies, other pets coming close or unknown people
  • Avoid a cold environment

Medication

• Don’t give any medication or apply flea and worm treatment to your lactating dog without medical advice.

Intense exercise

• For the first 4 weeks, it’s important that your dog stays close to her puppies.
• Do not over-exercise your dog. Keep the exercise to a maximum of 5-10 minutes several times a day.
• Increase the time gradually once the puppies are older.

When is it normal

What to expect after your dog gives birth

After a dog gives birth, it’s essential to closely monitor for signs of health and well-being.

Here’s what you can generally expect:

• Discharge from vagina:
  • It’s normal for the mum to have small amounts of reddish-brown discharge for a few weeks after giving birth.
  • The discharge should start to darken in colour and decrease over time.
  • Seek veterinary advice if the discharge is smelly or present in large amounts.
• Energy levels:
  • Mum may be tired immediately after giving birth. This is normal, and she may spend a lot of time resting with her puppies.
  • Energy levels should gradually improve over the following days and weeks.
• Appetite:
  • Appetite may increase, especially as the demands of nursing puppies require additional calories.
• Vomiting and diarrhoea:
  • Dogs may experience vomiting or soft stools after ingesting the placenta.
  • If symptoms persist, consult a vet immediately.

When to worry

When should you be concerned about your dog after giving birth?

Take your dog to the nearest vet practice if:

• She is lethargic
• She is not interested in food
• She has vomiting and diarrhoea
• One or more of her teats looks red and swollen
• There is a bad smell coming from her vagina
• She is rigid or having tremours

Joii can help with:

• Planning for emergency situations
• Helping you monitor normal postpartum signs and normal mum and puppy behaviour
• Creating a suitable area for mum and puppies
• Flea and worm treatment advice for lactating dogs and puppies
• Nutrition and exercise advice