One requires more care and love post pregnancy. Pets also need special care and compassion from you. Being a pet owner, it is your responsibility to take care of new mothers and babies too. Make sure that you check her days before and after pregnancy. The babies born are dependent on their mother, and the mother depends on you for everything. Let us discuss how you can prevent a dangerous situation and care for them.
What to do:
- Diet: Feed your pet with high-quality food that is rich in proteins. It should have vital nutrients such as calcium and iron. Lactating mothers require more energy so give them a sufficient amount of food. Make food and water readily available for them. Avoid giving them large meals at one time.
- Maintain hygiene: Clean your pet and her babies with warm water and a cotton cloth. Take advice from a doctor about their bath schedule. Use mild soap and disinfectants to clean them.
- Give time: Allow the new mother to set her schedule for sleep and feeding. Keep her babies easily approachable to her.
- Trimming: If your pet has too long hair, it is advised to trim them around her tail and mammary glands. It reduces the chances of infection.
- Sleep: Allow your pet and babies to take rest properly. Give your pet a massage with gentle hands and do her exercise slowly. It should be only after a few weeks of delivery.
What more to do
- Give attention: Give attention to mothers and babies too. Avoid unknown people and other dogs to go near them. Assure them that you are with them by giving love and compassion. Introduce new babies to the social world but not during the early phase. Hold and hug them several times a day.
- Regular checkup: Schedule regular checkups with your pet and her puppies from time to time. Get them vaccinated and keep monitoring them regularly. Contact the doctor immediately for any inflammation, swelling, redness, or pain.
- Monitoring: Regularly monitor mothers and babies. Many of the times, infections can get very risky. Keep checking her mammary glands and consult a doctor if something bothers you. If the vaginal discharge continues for too long, it can be an infection in her uterus. Consult a veterinarian at the earliest. Keep a check if your pet or baby cries a lot. It can be because of pain or indigestion. Try weighing your pet and babies at least once a week.
Summary:
Take the help of the vet to give your suggestion for the best food and its amount. Give your pet a familiar place to take care of her babies post pregnancy and post delivery. Make that space warm and comfortable. Use medications only after a prescription by the vet. Avoid intervening too much between mother and babies as it can lead to unnecessary aggression and stress. Enjoy the beautiful phase of life and not forget to take pictures with our loved ones.
