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Witnessing puppies be born is an exciting experience, but it can also be overwhelming and stressful if you’ve never helped a dog give birth before. Fortunately, you can rely on expert tips and guidance to get through the process and enjoy all the positive aspects of puppy beginnings. Here is how you can help your dog give birth for the first time.
Before You Begin
You should have an idea of when the due date is and make sure your dog’s health is in good condition throughout the pregnancy. A dog’s gestation period is typically 63 days from conception. Knowing the estimated due date will help ensure that you have everything prepared for the event and that you are ready to act from the moment that you spot signs of labor.
You should also schedule regular checkups with a veterinarian to ensure that necessary care is not overlooked. They can provide you with expert guidance and advice throughout the pregnancy and while preparing to help your dog give birth. Keep a vet’s emergency contact details on hand should you need to contact them during whelping.
What to Expect During the Puppy Birthing Process
You should understand what to expect during the birthing process when everything is going right. This will help you recognize if getting help will be necessary once it begins and at any time thereafter.
- Once labor starts, it can take anywhere from a 1/2 hour to 4 hours for the mother to give birth to the first puppy. Keep in mind that they usually take the longest to birth, so once they arrive, the rest should follow more quickly. However, if the contractions are strong, the first puppy should be born within 30 minutes; otherwise, you should contact a vet.
- There is typically a pause between puppies being birthed, so don’t expect them to come shooting out one after another. Puppies are usually born 30–60 minutes apart, but the gap can be as short as 5 minutes. Somme mothers take a break for 1–2 hours. If no straining is occurring between births and the mother dog is settled, it is likely that everything is going smoothly. If she takes more than a 2-hour break between puppies, you should contact a vet for advice.
- The mother passes a placenta each time she gives birth to a puppy. This usually occurs 5–15 minutes after the delivery of the puppy, but if multiple puppies are born quickly, several placentas may be passed at the same time. The mother often eats the placenta for nutrition while she works to bring new life into the world. This is normal and generally safe. However, dogs with large litters can make themselves sick and develop signs like diarrhea and vomiting if they eat too many placentas. If your dog seems to be having a large litter, ask a veterinarian how many placentas she should eat and take away the rest as the puppies are born.
- After all the puppies have been birthed, your dog should become relaxed and be interested in making sure her puppies start feeding.
If things do not go as you expect, consult with a veterinarian as soon as possible. You may have to take your dog in for monitoring, medication, and/or delivery assistance to keep her and the puppies safe and healthy. Even if you don’t have to see a vet, you may need guidance about what to do to correct issues if they arise.
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How to Help Your Dog Give Birth for the First Time at Home
When It’s Almost Time for Your Dog to Give Birth
There are several things that you should do to help ensure that the birthing process goes smoothly, but these should be done before the process actually begins. If you wait until labor starts, there won’t be enough time to complete the following tasks.
1. Prepare a Whelping Box
A whelping box is a safe place for your dog to give birth that is clean and will keep the puppies in one place. It should also maintain warmth so the puppies won’t get cold, and it should provide the mother with the peace of mind that everyone is safe and won’t wander off, get lost, or even be injured. It needs to be big enough for your dog to stretch out and turn around in. You can purchase a whelping box, or if you’re a do-it-yourself kind of person, you can make one yourself.
2. Find a Place to Put the Whelping Box
You should find a quiet place in your home to put the whelping box where your dog can give birth and take care of her puppies once they are born. The space should be warm and comfortable, perhaps in the corner of your bedroom or a walk-in closet. It should also be temperature controlled to ensure that the puppies won’t get too warm or cold. Make sure the area can be closed off to keep out other pets and children until the puppies are old enough for visitors.
3. Dress the Whelping Box
Once your dog’s new whelping box is in place, you can dress it up to make it nice and cozy. Start by lining the bottom of the box with absorbent material, such as potty pads or a few layers of newspaper. Then, place a blanket or towels on top of the lining, keeping in mind that you’ll need to replace and wash these regularly once the babies are born. Pillowcases can also be used, as these are typically thin and easy to wash. Do not use hay or shavings of any kind, as the puppies could choke on the material.
When It’s Time to Deliver the Puppies
4. Watch for Signs of Labor Starting
When your dog’s due date draws near, keep an eye out for signs that labor is imminent or has begun. Once it has, guide your dog to her whelping box and get her comfortable there.
- Panting
- Pacing
- Restlessness
- Hiding
- Reduction in appetite
- Passing mucus from the vulva
- Contractions
After you know labor is happening, here is what you can do to help your dog deliver her babies.
5. Make Sure Your Dog Is as Comfortable as Possible
A helpful thing that you can do while your dog gives birth is to make sure she is as comfortable as possible. Observe and support her as necessary, but give her space and peace, and make sure the room is calm and quiet.
6. Keep an Eye Out for Problems
An important job that cannot be overlooked is keeping an eye out for problems. In most cases, dogs give birth without issue. However, like with any birth, there is a chance that things could go wrong, so it’s crucial to know what to look for that could indicate a problem. The sooner that you realize something is wrong, the quicker you can get medical help.
- Straining and strong contractions for more than 20–30 minutes without producing a puppy
- Greater than a 2-hour gap between puppies being born
- If all the puppies have not been born within 24 hours
- Signs of the mother being depressed or generally unwell
- Green vulval discharge without a puppy being born
- Excess bleeding from the vulva
- A stuck puppy that will not birth (often, puppies in the breech position coming tail first)
- Obvious exhaustion
- If any of the puppies are not moving and feeding or are showing other signs of illness
One problem that you can resolve yourself, without professional intervention, is opening a puppy’s sac if necessary. Most mother dogs can and will remove the thin sacs that their puppies are born in on their own. However, some dogs need help due to exhaustion, the puppies being born quickly, or another reason. Always give your dog a chance to remove a puppy’s sac herself, but if she doesn’t free the puppy’s head to breathe within a minute or so, tear a hole in the sac yourself using your fingers, and free the puppy’s head so they can breathe.
7. Stay Out of the Way
Your dog should be able to give birth without any help from you. In fact, interfering in the birthing process can cause problems after birth that could have been avoided had no human hands gotten involved. It’s a good idea to keep an eye on how things are going, of course, so you can get professional help if necessary, but otherwise, let things happen as they may. If you have any concerns at any time during the birthing process, call a veterinarian.
After the Puppies Are Born
8. Keep the Puppies Safe and Warm
Now that the new puppies have arrived, you can take steps to protect them from harm. Your dog is likely to be hungry, thirsty, and tired when all is said and done. The babies will be vulnerable to loud noise, bright lights, and possible injury or illness from handling.
9. Take Care of the Mother
Make sure she has food and water available where she can easily get to it without leaving her puppies. Allow the mother to rest in low light and without noise so she can feed her puppies and get much-needed rest.
10. Prepare the Family
Everyone will likely want to see and hold the puppies once they are born. It’s okay for everyone to look and “coo” over the puppies during the first few days after birth. However, handling should be reserved for the primary caretaker until the babies open their eyes, for the peace of mind of everyone involved (including the mother dog). Prepare the family for correctly handling the puppies: Show the kids proper holding techniques and have them practice on stuffed animals. Make sure everyone washes their hands prior to handling, and always supervise interactions.
11. Schedule a Checkup Appointment
Even if everything seems okay with the mother and her puppies after the birthing process, schedule a checkup appointment with a veterinarian. This will help ensure that any problems that could be developing are caught early so they can be addressed. Examples include a lack of milk production, abnormally colored milk, itchiness and swelling around the nipples, and unnecessary pain. A veterinarian will also help ensure that all the puppies are growing and developing properly.
Conclusion
Dogs rely on their natural instructions when giving birth to puppies, so if your dog is healthy and has been seeing the vet throughout her pregnancy, chances are that everything will go smoothly without any input from you aside from supervising. If at any time you are concerned, though, contact a veterinarian straight away.
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Featured Image Credit: Karen Dole, Shutterstock
