How to Care for a Dog After Birth
📝 Summary
After birth, keep the dam in a quiet, warm, clean den with nutritious food and water, wipe (don't bathe) her, and watch the pups. Wean at 21 days; lingering milk or a mammary lump may mean mastitis and needs a vet.
1 A Quiet, Clean, Comfortable Den
A post-birth dog is weak and more protective; place a snug den in a quiet spot with room for her and the pups.
2 Puppy Care
If the dam is steady, leave pups with her. If she’s unstable (large breeds risk crushing), use a separate incubator and only bring her in to nurse.
3 Nutrition
Lactation raises her needs — offer nutritious food (pork, lamb, beef, fish) and plenty of water.
4 Cleaning
Wipe blood and discharge from the vulva and tail (no full bath); a post-birth dog must not be bathed.
5 Warmth
She and the newborns tolerate temperature swings poorly — keep the room steady; add soft cotton bedding in cold weather.
6 Weaning
Pups can wean at 21 days; the dam fasts a day, then tapers food and water until milk recedes. If milk persists, a vet can give a drying-up injection; a hard lump in the mammary gland means mastitis — see a clinic.
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