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Caring for a Dog and Her Puppies

45 Questions

Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.

February 27, 2014

What can happen if a new mom has her first pups and she doesn't lick them so they can use the bathroom, #2? What can I do to help?

By Robin B.


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Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 226 Feedbacks
March 3, 20140 found this helpful
Best Answer

Wet a washcloth and wring it out. then wipe the puppies bottoms just like a Mom dog would do.

 
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September 15, 2019

My dog just had 12 puppies and 2 died. We have a hard time getting her to be with her puppies much less feeding them. She will only eat wet food and not hard why? Also she is not producing milk, what does that mean?


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Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 196 Feedbacks
September 16, 20190 found this helpful

You have my sympathy on the loss of the 2 pups. Prayers for the rest of the litter.

Please call the vet and have him/her give you the best info for your gal and the babies. Birthing 12 babies is a lot and nursing 10 is very hard on her system also. Poor gal is overwhelmed and exhausted.

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The vet will know her history and can tell you what she needs based on her breed/size, etc.

Be sure to get info from the vet on what product is best so you can hand nurse the babies if needed. That may be the best way to give them all a good start!

Prayers!! Please post back with updates and photos!!

 
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July 7, 2018

My Pit just had 13 puppies. She started off really well, but starting today she doesn't want to go anywhere near then. She's had diarrhea and just wants to sleep away from the pups.

I'm sure a lot has to do with exhaustion, but if anyone else has any other ideas please let me know. We plan to take her to the vet on Monday if she doesn't change.

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Gold Post Medal for All Time! 677 Posts
July 7, 20181 found this helpful

She may have an infection from the delivery. I would have her checked out sooner rather than later.

 
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June 25, 2017

I own a medium sized mixed breed dog, Pepper. Last year she had a litter of 7. One didn't make it. This year, May 5th, she had a litter of 8, 4 boys and 4 girls. Last week the smallest girl wouldn't eat nor drink. I brought her indoors, cleaned her up, and tried to force feed her a teaspoon of baby formula every hour or 2. She didn't make it through the night. This week, a boy wasn't eating. When I brought him in, he took the formula I fed him. I called the vet, but he died before I could take him.

Today, a girl is showing signs. What can I possibly do throughout the night to help this puppy make it? She ate by herself today, but not as much as she usually does. She also seems weak, sleepy, and won't play. I didn't bring her in, but I'm taking them all tomorrow. The mother, by the way, has lost a disturbing amount of weight. She eats fine though. The vet told me to feed her puppy food to fatten her up, but she's still bony.

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Gold Post Medal for All Time! 677 Posts
June 26, 20171 found this helpful

I think the mother is having litters too close together and her health and the health of the puppies are affected. I'm hoping the other pups make it.

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You might want to consider keeping your dog inside or on a leash the next time she's in heat.

 
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October 18, 2016

My dog just had her puppies last night, a total of 11. Anyways I never planned for her to mate, but it happened. Will they all nurse at once? Or should I pull some out to ensure they are all eating?

I'm very new to this and any advice with taking care of them and whatnot will be very useful! Thanks.

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Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 226 Feedbacks
October 19, 20160 found this helpful

Wow! That is a lot of puppies. I can give you some ideas, but you really need to talk with a Vet. You will need to see one for vaccinations for the pups, a spay for the mother at the right time, etc. You are right to be concerned about that many puppies. You may have one or two smaller pups who cannot get their share. You can help them get a spot to nurse or supplement with replacement milk from the pet store. Feed the mother dog puppy chow, it has more calories and nutrition. She needs the higher nutrition food and more of it.

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She may have trouble keeping her weight up. Have a good sized box for her with blankets that you change occasionally. It needs to have sides about 10 inches high. It allows the mom to keep track of her puppies, and allows her to get away from them when she needs to for a break. Make sure she has lots of water available at all times. Keep her in a room where she feels comfortable and isn't subjected to a lot of noise or activity. She needs peace and quiet. Good luck. Post a picture for us.

 
October 20, 20160 found this helpful

We actually had a surprise puppy born throughout the night, so now we are at 12. I check on them every hour or so and it seems they all get in there to eat, but my problem now is that the mom doesn't seem to want to eat.

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I take her in a secluded room and shut the door with a bowl of food so my other dog doesn't try eating it too but she doesn't care for it.

 
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June 2, 2017

My puppies are now 4 weeks old. Mom started to wean them at two weeks old. They are now eating soft and hard food with no issues. They took to the food and even water right away. Mama normally only feeds them once at night if any at all, but when she goes to clean them up or after them they try to feed. It's taking a toll on her. They are cutting her with what I think are their claws. I try to keep them trimmed, but she is getting cut over and over.

Today it was so bad we found blood all over the puppies' faces. In a panic I cleaned the blood off to insure it was not theirs. That's when I noticed her legs and tail where covered in blood and it was dripping a bit, but she would not let me clean her up. Now I don't know what to do for her. She wants to keep them clean, but does not want to feed them.

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June 14, 2016

My neighbor's Pit Bull had puppies 5 weeks ago; a total of 10 in all. She has sold seven of them. She began weening them at 3 weeks.

She is keeping three. She won't let the mom nurse the ones she is keeping. Is this safe and legal?

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June 14, 20160 found this helpful

Unfortunately, it is probably not illegal. Puppies should stay with the mom for a minimum of 8 weeks. The mom should still be nursing all of them.

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The puppies aren't ready for solid food. Poor nutrition can affect them later in life. They may also have psychological problems from being removed from the mom early.

Making a dog continue to produce puppies is not really fair. How does she know people won't use the dogs for pit fighting? Or drop them off at shelters when they're adults because they can't handle the behavior?

It's best to leave breeding to professionals. Reputable dog breeders genetically test BOTH parents AND the puppies. Any dogs with inheritable genetic disorders are not used for breeding. Puppies are socialized to people in a clean, stimulating environment. They aren't usually given away until 8 weeks, but 12 weeks is better because that's when they are ready to start toilet training.

 
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July 28, 2010

How do you know when your dog is ready to have puppies?

By Jennifer

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July 28, 20100 found this helpful

I had a vet student help me once with my pregnant Sheltie. She took her temp close to her time to deliver one night , and told me that, since her temp had dropped, she was very close to delivery (I think she said 8-10 hours). She had the pups the next morning. I noticed that she started panting and wanted to go out a lot a few hours before she delivered.

 
July 28, 20100 found this helpful

When they get close to their time, sometimes the dog will find a dark, safe place to have the puppies. Then, they usually disappear for about a day or so to have the babies.

 

Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 107 Feedbacks
July 29, 20100 found this helpful

A lot like us; if they haven't disappeared to a dark spot as mentioned, they may spot with liquid, streaked with blood, pant, turn around a lot, appear uncomfortable, and so on. Make sure they have a soft folded old blanket or towels right at hand, and speak in soft reassuring tones. They may even get up and drink a bit of water in between deliveries. My dog delivered one on the couch, hopped down and delivered one on the floor.

 
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December 12, 2015

My dog is almost 10 years old and has never had puppies. Last night she was having contractions and a bloody discharge. Now 18 hours later she doesn't seem to be having contractions, there are no puppies, but she still looks pregnant and is still having a bloody discharge.

I don't know what to do for her, she acts normally. Help?

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August 19, 2015

What do I do if I feel like my mother dog is not properly feeding her pups? How do I know for certain she is not feeding them?


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August 7, 2015

My Pit is pregnant and due to have her litter in 2 weeks. Her nipples are all very red all over the nipples, some worse than others. Is this normal?

dog's belly
 

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Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 168 Feedbacks
August 8, 20150 found this helpful

I think it is best to have your dog see her vet for diagnosis before pups are born. This pic doesn't show normal paps and if it's an infection, you wouldn't want the pups to become ill or make it painful on their mom while caring for her litter.

 
August 9, 20150 found this helpful

This doesn't appear to be normal. Your dog may have mastitis or a yeast infection.

 
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August 2, 2015

My dog had only one puppy in this litter. We battled to keep weight on him for the last 3 weeks. We brought him to the vet for IV fluids and a dose of antibiotics.

After thinking he was doing better, he passed away last night. How do I take him away from mom? She won't leave his side.

tiny puppy
 

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August 4, 20150 found this helpful

How long has the baby been dead? What does she do when you try to take him?

 
August 8, 20150 found this helpful

Dogs' instinct is to keep their den clean, that's why they can be house trained. If you don't remove the puppy, she is likely to "dispose" of the puppy herself. Animals that have litters will recycle the lost nutrients in the placenta by eating it, it same thing with whelp that die soon after birth.

 
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June 29, 2015

My dog had puppies 5 weeks ago. She has been whimpering the last 2 days. I don't know what is wrong.

The pups are eating food and drinking water. Please help me. I tried everything to help her.

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Bronze Answer Medal for All Time! 220 Answers
June 29, 20150 found this helpful

Your dog continues to whimper and you are not able to help her? Please take her to your vet immediately. If you do not know the problem, you cannot provide any help for her at home. If you continue to delay veterinary treatment, she will only get worse and your medical bill will most probably be higher than if she is examined and receives the correct treatment now.

 
June 30, 20150 found this helpful

Does your dog appear thin? Has she lost weight? If so, increase the nutritional value of her food. Don't just feed her more. Some people give nursing dogs puppy chow because it is high in nutrition and calories. Your dog needs both.

Check also the area around the nipples. If the temperature seems high or they seem overly sensitive (she yelps or nips you) she could have milk fever, an infection of the breasts.

Also, does she have a safe, quiet, out of the way place? Are people messing with the puppies all the time? She could be anxious. The puppies have to get used to people, but don't take them to far away from the mom or play with them more than a few minutes at a time. Don't take them in another room.

If nothing really jumps out at you as the problem or if you think she has milk fever a vet visit is in order.

 
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May 27, 2015

My Chihuahua had her 2nd litter of puppies 2 weeks ago. She is acting like she doesn't feel well the last few days. She is acting more tired then she has been and wants to be cuddled a lot more then usual. She also has been having a little shortness of breath.

She didn't act like this with her 1st litter, she almost never left them for more then a few minutes. I took her to the vet and he looked her over and said she was fine and that this is normal. Is this normal? Should I take her to a new vet?

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Gold Feedback Medal for All Time! 679 Feedbacks
May 30, 20150 found this helpful

Yes! This dog may have an unborn puppy or some placenta left behind inside of her, which is decaying and making her sick. A vet needs to do a more thorough examination, and take care of this before she becomes too sick to help. I speak from experience. If this is not the answer, then something else is wrong, and you need a good vet to figure it out. Don't wait, take her now.

Please stop breeding this dog, as she may not be able to keep having pups without problems, and there are too many homeless dogs as it is.

 
June 28, 20150 found this helpful

Yes take her. How long between litters?

 
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January 22, 2015

Shih and puppiesMy Shih Tzu has 5, 2 week old puppies. The last couple of nights she wanders from the room where the puppies are to our room and cries. We pick her up and she will sleep for a short period and cry to go back to the puppies. She's been doing this all night and I'm exhausted. She is a really good mom and feeds them and takes care of them and she's eating and drinking well. She always slept with us so I'm thinking she misses us maybe. What can I do to get some sleep?

By Peggy Mac

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Bronze Answer Medal for All Time! 220 Answers
January 22, 20150 found this helpful

You might bring the puppies into your room at nite or all the time?

 
January 24, 20150 found this helpful

Crate her with the puppies.

 
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January 14, 2015

We have an American Bulldog and this is her first litter. She used to get on the couch when we were away, but she is not allowed on it normally. When we got home one day, she was up on the couch, and going into labor. We transferred her to the whelping box, with plastic, a table cloth and sheets underneath for some comfort. It is winter here, so heating lamps are on for warmth.

Today, my husband came into the room, and she was moving all the puppies to the couch. I believe she may be uncomfortable, I just don't know how to make her comfortable and not have something bad happen to the puppies. They are now 5 days old. Thank you anyone that can help.

By Jean from Jacksonville, FL

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Bronze Answer Medal for All Time! 220 Answers
January 15, 20150 found this helpful

You might ask your vet for assistance.

 
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March 26, 2014

Why does my dog keep carrying her puppies to me?

By Julie

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December 12, 20140 found this helpful

Maybe something is wrong with the puppy?

 
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July 5, 2016

My dog had 5 puppies, but only 1 made it. She's only 5 days old and we can't get her to eat from the mom. Should we start to bottle feed her? And what kind of puppy formula should we get?


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June 25, 2016

My Pit mom isn't wanting to feed her pups anymore. There are 7 puppies and they are 3 weeks old. What is a subsitute that I can use for them to stay fed and healthy?

I live in the Tulsa area of Oklahoma. What's the best solution and where would be the best place to look? Thanks in advance.

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October 16, 2015

My dog just gave birth 12 hours ago to 8 pups. She keeps laying on them and she never seems to notice or care, so we move them away from under her and put them near her teats or with the rest of the litter. We don't have a whelping box, and we all work four hours a day, and I'm afraid to leave momma with the pups because I don't want her to smother them by mistake. What should I do?

Also, I have another dilemma, we have to move in two weeks. We didn't expect the pups to be born until after we moved, (pre-mature) and we have no idea how to move mom and puppies safely and comfortably. We also have a cat and the daddy dog, but we are keeping him away from the pups for now. What should I do?
Thanks.

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September 20, 2015

My Miniature Schnauzer just had her first littler of puppies, 6 in total :) They are 4 days old. She is feeding them, however she just lays there barely moving and does not really clean them.

To me she looks a little shocked. She is eating and drinking and is not rejecting the puppies, she is just not interacting with them at all. I'm getting concerned.

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