Whether you are a professional breeder or an owner of a German Shepherd bitch who is expecting puppies, it can be a very exciting time for both you and your dog! If this is the first time you will be caring for a pregnant dog, you will probably do a lot of reading and talking to your veterinarian, and both of those are great plans for proper health care for your dog. Your expecting mum will require a few health care adjustments in order to stay healthy and have healthy puppies!
Nutrition
By now, you probably have a good understanding of your German Shepherd’s nutritional needs. However, once your German Shepherd is expecting, her diet and nutrition will need to be changed in order to promote health of both mom and puppies. It is important that she be fed the highest quality diet while both expecting and nursing. A high quality diet is the most important thing you can provide for your dog.
At first, you might notice your dog becoming nauseated easily and not wanting to eat, and this is normal. However, after a few weeks, she will want to begin eating again, and you should purchase a high quality puppy food for her. Puppy food has plenty of protein and nutrients that both she and her puppies will require. Also, you will need to increase her portion sizes by 25% after the fifth week of pregnancy and again after the eighth week to ensure she is getting the proper amount of food. Your veterinarian will help you decide if your dog will require nutrient supplements.
Grooming
Keep up your regular grooming regime – a daily brush and check over. This will make her feel safe, loved, and more importantly it gives you the opportunity to check her over for any signs of skin problems, infections or irregularities.
Exercise
Expecting German Shepherds should still be given opportunity for exercise. Simple exercising is key here – nothing involving excessive running or jumping. Take your dog for walks several times per day if she is willing. It will keep her in mood up, as well.
Separation
It is in the best interest of the mother and her puppies to keep your German Shepherd away from other dogs toward the end of her pregnancy. This is to ensure that your dog does not encounter any illnesses or infections that could put your dog or the puppies at risk.
Tips
Be sure to keep any veterinarian appointments you have! Your German Shepherd and her puppies are important, so you must make sure that they are well taken care of! This will require routine veterinary visits. Consulting with your vet about other issues, such as nutrition, is important, as well.
Give your German Shepherd plenty of love! Make her feel special and reward her often. This will help keep her happy and make her feel like a special part of the family!
Offer your German Shepherd a comfortable bed. At this point, providing her with a memory foam dog bed is a great plan, especially as she nears the end of her pregnancy and might have difficulty rising from her current bed. Keeping your dog comfortable is important!
Never use any type of flea and tick repellant or medication on an expecting or nursing German Shepherd. Since this medication can be absorbed through the skin, it can affect the puppies, and be harmful to them.
It’s fun being a puppy!
