Tips for Caring for Pregnant Dog

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If your dog is pregnant, then you will need to provide appropriate care for her. Failure to do so may result in complications during the pregnancy. Here are a few tips on caring for your pregnant dog.

One of the most important things to do for your pregnant dog is to provide her with a proper diet. As the pregnancy advances, her appetite will increase. She will no longer be eating solely for herself, as the growing puppies inside will need nutrition too.

Pregnant dog's appetites typically start getting bigger around the six week mark. At that time, it is very important that you start feeding your dog a high-quality dog food that takes a pregnant dog's increased nutritional needs into account. Commercial foods with more protein designed for growing pups likely won't be good enough though.

Exercise is always important whether your dog is pregnant or not. You don't want your dog to lie around all day since this would increase the chances of obesity developing. Obesity can bring about other problems like blood sugar imbalances which can be harmful to the growing puppies.

Therefore, make sure that your pregnant dog gets exercise on a daily basis. A simple walk will be sufficient. Just don't go overboard and exercise your dog too hard as this will put too much stress on her.

Pregnancy can take its toll on the body, something you'll know if you have ever been pregnant yourself. Your dog may display symptoms such as nausea and vomiting about a month into the pregnancy. She may also lose her appetite for a little bit. This is perfectly normal as long as it doesn't last too long. If the symptoms persist for over a week, then you likely need to take your dog to the veterinarian to get checked out.

A few weeks before your dog gives birth, it is best that you isolate her from

all other pets in the household. You don't want her to get sick. For instant, an infection by the herpes virus will only cause a cold in healthy dogs, but it can be disastrous for pregnant dogs since it can affect the puppies even after they're born leading to their deaths. You should isolate your dog a few weeks before she actually gives birth as well as a few weeks after she has done so.

Delivery of puppies doesn't always go smoothly. If your dog is giving birth at home, then you need to be aware of signs that there is something wrong. Consult with your veterinarian to learn some of the major things to look for.

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