It is an exciting day when you dog or cat was up all night giving birth to her very first litter. After going through something as dramatic and physically demanding as that, it can be hard to know how to support your pet as she recovers. Not only will the puppies or kitties need supervision and care, but the dam or queen will also need to be provided for so that she can have the strength to feed and protect her children. For those of you who are new the world of pet pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum recovery, here are some helpful tips to review for after the new babies are born.
Care Tips for The Mother
Clean-up: Once the new babies are sleeping peacefully and the mother is able to relax, take a few moments to clean her up. Using a warm wash cloth, remove all excess blood, or fetal fluid from her and the nearby area. If possible, remove her to a place with clean bedding so as to help avoid any infection.
Checkup: Immediately after an animal has delivered their litter, you should schedule a checkup with the vet. Ideally he would see the animal just under 24 hours after she has given birth. The vet will be able to check for any undelivered kittens or puppies, check her heart rate, blood pressure and overall health before the mother returns to her newborns.
Calcium increase: Cats particularly are known for having dangerous low levels of calcium after giving birth. This is largely due to their supply of calcium being depleted as they feed their kittens, causing their body to expel higher doses than normal. Increase your cat’s calcium by feeding her cat food products that are specifically calcium enriched, or giving her calcium chews once a day.
Higher calorie intake: Dogs and cats that are nursing their young require at least 2-3 times the food they normally consume. They should also be given plenty of fresh water since nursing is a dehydrating process, and complications (such as kidney and liver disease) can arise when pets are under-hydrated.
Warning signs: After a mother has given birth, there are several complications which could arise. Some of these include postpartum hemorrhage, eclampsia, agalactia (milk drainage), inflammation of the uterus (acute metritis), and inflammation of the mammary glands (mastitis), etc. If a dog or cat has a fever, swollen breasts, vaginal discharge, restlessness, anxiety, a severe loss of appetite, and seems uninterested in her litter, then assume something is wrong, and take her to an animal hospital as soon as possible.
Note: You should monitor your pet closely for about a week after she delivers to make sure that everything is functioning as normal, and that her body has recovered without complication. If you have any questions about her state of being, do not hesitate to bring her in for an examination.
