When a mother dog gives birth to a litter of puppies, it’s a joyous and exciting time. However, it’s also a time when the puppies are at their most vulnerable. One of the biggest risks to newborn puppies is being accidentally crushed by their mother. This can happen when the mother dog lies down on top of the puppies or rolls over onto them while they’re nursing.
While it’s a tragic accident, there are steps you can take to prevent it from happening.
Provide a Safe Whelping Box
The first step in preventing a mother dog from crushing her puppies is to provide her with a safe and comfortable place to give birth and nurse her puppies. This is called a whelping box. A whelping box should be large enough for the mother dog to move around in comfortably, but not so large that the puppies can wander away from her. It should also have low sides so that the mother dog can easily get in and out, but high enough to prevent the puppies from falling out.
Use a Whelping Pad
A whelping pad is a soft, absorbent pad that goes inside the whelping box. It provides a comfortable surface for the mother dog to lie on and helps to keep the puppies warm and dry. It also helps to prevent the mother dog from crushing the puppies by providing a bit of cushioning between them and the hard floor of the whelping box.
Keep the Puppies Close to the Mother
Newborn puppies need to be close to their mother for warmth and nutrition. However, if the puppies are too spread out, the mother dog may accidentally lie down on top of them. To prevent this, you can use a whelping rail or a whelping box with a built-in divider to keep the puppies close to the mother dog’s belly. This will make it easier for the puppies to nurse and will reduce the risk of them being crushed.
Supervise the Mother Dog and Puppies
Even with a safe whelping box and whelping pad, it’s important to supervise the mother dog and puppies closely, especially during the first few weeks after birth. This will allow you to intervene quickly if you see the mother dog lying down on top of the puppies or if you notice any other signs of distress.
Provide Plenty of Food and Water
A mother dog needs plenty of food and water to produce enough milk for her puppies. Make sure to provide her with a high-quality, nutrient-dense food and plenty of fresh water. This will help to keep her healthy and reduce the risk of her accidentally crushing the puppies due to weakness or fatigue.
Give the Mother Dog Breaks
Nursing a litter of puppies is hard work, and the mother dog needs occasional breaks to rest and recharge. You can give her short breaks by taking the puppies out of the whelping box for a few minutes at a time and allowing the mother dog to stretch her legs and go to the bathroom. Just be sure to supervise the puppies closely during these breaks and return them to the mother dog as soon as possible.
Know When to Seek Veterinary Care
Despite your best efforts, accidents can still happen. If you notice that a puppy has been crushed or is showing signs of distress, seek veterinary care immediately. A veterinarian can assess the puppy’s injuries and provide the necessary treatment to help them recover.
Learn how to take care of newborn puppies without their mother in this article.
FAQ
What are some signs that a mother dog is about to crush her puppies?
- Lack of natural instinct to nose puppies into the center of the whelping box before lying down
- Laziness or carelessness in moving around the whelping box
- Aggression or rejection towards the puppies, such as avoiding them or showing less interest
- Decreased milk production
How to train a mother dog to not crush her puppies?
- Closely monitor interactions between the mother and puppies, especially for large breed dogs
- Ensure the whelping box is the correct size (length of mother plus an extra foot) to prevent accidental crushing
- Provide a quiet, secluded place for the mother to whelp and raise the puppies
- Give the mother breaks and ensure she is well-rested and cared for
- Trim puppies’ nails if they are scratching the mother during nursing
- Avoid using punishment as a training method
What to do if a mother dog has already crushed her puppies?
- Immediately separate any remaining live puppies from the mother
- Take the mother and puppies to a vet within 24 hours to check for retained placentas and ensure puppy health
- Look for signs of intentional harm by the mother, such as bite marks or missing body parts on dead puppies
- Consider underlying medical issues in the mother, such as eclampsia (low blood calcium), mastitis (mammary gland infection), or metritis (uterine infection), which require veterinary care
- Provide a quiet, low-stress environment for the mother and surviving puppies