When my dog delivers puppies.....*New Questions about Nursing*

[PunkinPeep]

Thanks so much for all your replies. You all are a wealth of knowledge. It's so nice to have you to talk to!

The puppies are gorgeous.

I have a couple of questions.

Let me premise with telling you that Jelly freely lets me do whatever i want with her and the puppies. I've been laying down with her and petting her and looking at the puppies, and she seems to take comfort in that instead of being alarmed.

Some of you mentioned making sure she eats and keeping the bedding clean.

Should i periodically take the pups away so she'll eat and go outside to pee and all that? Or will she finally come to that on her own when nature calls? I know, right now, she hasn't been outside since about 2 this morning. She also hasn't eaten or had much to drink.

How long should i wait? Should i give her a day to get settled in? She's doing great; i don't want to mess up her mommy vibe.

 

[Redyre Rotties]

She needs to eat, and yes, I have had to get a leash to get the mom to go out. I would offer her something easy to digest and nutritious, eggs over easy in oatmeal, or puppy food with goat milk, etc. She needs to eat in order to feed the puppies.

 

[babymakes6]

She will get up and take breaks when she needs to. At first, they will be very short breaks, but as the puppies get bigger, she will leave them for longer at a time.

 

[schmije]

Congrats on your new puppies! The only time we've ever offered our dog, Stacy, free choice of her food was when she was nursing. We always had a full bowl of food for her, and she ate what she needed - which was a lot more than normal. We kept the bowl just outside the whelping box where she had easy access - until the first puppy got big enough to escape the box and help himself to her food! We had set up a puppy cam, so we could watch them when we were at work. DH and I watched helplessly as one puppy scaled the wall and planted himself spread eagle on top of the food bowl. We were concerned that he'd get cold all by himself, but Stacy left the others (they had a heat lamp) to lay with him and keep him warm until we got home from work. Mom always knows best.

Puppies are a lot of work, but they're also a lot of fun. Especially once their eyes open, and they start moving around more. Good luck with them!

 

[Skyesrocket]

Congrats! Yes, get her outside to potty! The moms really hate leaving the babies the first few days, but need to get out and do their business.
I give mine puppy food and cottage cheese. I keep the food and water bowls close enough for mom to reach from the whelping box the first few days.
Those are nice sized pups! Good Job!

 

[PunkinPeep]

O.k. puppy experts, i think i need more guidance.

Jelly seems healthy, energetic, and she is eating well, and the puppies are rolly polly and beautiful.

But my concern is that on day 3, Jelly suddenly felt much freer about getting up a LOT to go outside and take a break from the puppies.

I don't blame her, but i want to make sure i help her not go away TOO MUCH.

Is there some guideline i can go by to help her?

I can coax her back to them pretty easily, but i both don't want to stress her out unnecessarily and don't want to let the puppies become undernourished.

Any tips are very welcome.

Thanks again!

 

[Redyre Rotties]

This is unusual, for the bi.tch to leave the puppies except for very brief periods during the first 7 days.

Take her temperature. If it is above 101.5, talk to your vet immediately. The puppies need her not only for food but as a source of warmth.

 

[mamaKate]

Are the puppies sleeping or crying when she's gone? If they're crying, check her for sore nipples. If she leaves when they sleep and returns promptly when she hears them cry, all is well.

 

[PunkinPeep]

She doesn't leave for long. Maybe ten minutes. And the puppies are usually sleeping. I wouldn't say that she necessarily comes as soon as she hears them cry, but she does come as soon as i draw her attention to them.

I will see about taking her temperature. But she doesn't seem remotely ill. She just seems distracted - like outside seems like a lot more fun than this.

 

[mamaKate]

Maybe her age? I wouldn't worry about it. She can't leave them for long. The milk will make her uncomfortable. The puppies will cry if they're hungry or cold.