Providing appropriate care for the mum (dam) after birth is essential for both her wellbeing and that of her puppies. Below outlines some of the key areas to pay attention to after your dam has given birth.
Keep in mind she will be tired and needs plenty of rest, reassurance, and gentle support as she recovers. Stay calm and relaxed around her, talk to her softly and keep a close eye on her so she feels safe and can begin bonding with her puppies in a comfortable environment.
Environment and Wellbeing
- Make sure the environment is quiet, warm and free from draughts so she feels safe and relaxed. Newborn puppies need a temperature of around 29-32°C to stay warm, but the mother will need enough space or access to a cooler area so she can move away from the heat if it becomes uncomfortable. Find out more about what equipment you need, including a suitable whelping box, here. Choose a spot that is easy for you to access so you can keep an eye on her and keep other pets well away while she settles into motherhood.
- The whelping box should be large enough for the dam to move around freely and stretch out comfortably, with a little additional space. However, it should not be too big, as puppies may stray too far from her, increasing the risk of them becoming cold or not feeding adequately.
- Different breeds may require different whelping box setups to suit their shape, size, and behaviour, but all should have sides that allow the dam to easily get in and out, while preventing the puppies from escaping.
- Keep the area clean and dry, with plenty of towels available. After birthing the puppies, gently clean the dam with warm water and a damp cloth.
- You can take her outside to toilet, but keep this brief as she is unlikely to want to be away from her litter for long. It may help to keep her on a lead or within a secure area where she can be easily supervised, so you can guide her back to her puppies when she is ready.
- Your calm presence will help reassure her, especially if this is her first litter. Minimising stress for the mum and her puppies at this time, and avoiding interference with this early bonding period where possible, is extremely important.
Water and Food
- Labour can be thirsty work, so ensure she always has plenty of fresh, cool water. Gently encourage her to drink, as good hydration is important for milk production.
- Shortly after she has given birth, you can offer her a small amount of light, easily digestible food. Don’t worry if she’s not keen to eat straight away, once she has recovered from the birth, her appetite should return. At this stage, hydration is the priority.
Top Tips for Ongoing Care
Following the initial recovery after giving birth, it is important to remember that the dam’s ongoing care plays a vital role in her ability to raise a healthy litter and to remain comfortable and well herself. This period can be physically demanding for her, so she should be monitored closely and given extra support where needed in a calm environment. Below outlines some key areas to consider when caring for the dam after whelping.
Lactation is a particularly demanding stage and requires a substantial amount of energy. This means her nutritional needs and overall wellbeing should be carefully managed.
Environment and Wellbeing
- As the litter grows, the dam will still want to be near her litter, but ensure she has some quiet time away from the puppies when she chooses. If she becomes too stressed or anxious, this can reduce her milk supply. Time away from the litter can be gradually increased once weaning begins.
- Keep the whelping area clean, dry and stocked up with fresh bedding. Bedding should be replaced regularly to reduce the risk of infection and keep the dam and her litter comfortable.
- Keep interactions calm and gentle, respect her cues and maintain a warm, quiet rearing environment. As the puppies grow, softly introduce gentle sounds (week three, the start of the socialisation and habituation period).
- Gentle exercise may be reintroduced from around week four, starting with short walks to rebuild her strength. This will vary by breed, litter size, and health, so veterinary advice should be followed. The dam should always be wiped down after outings before returning to her puppies. Visits to busy areas such as parks should be avoided due to infection risks.
Water and Food
- Producing milk for a hungry litter requires plenty of water. Ensure fresh water is always available and encourage her to drink as needed.
- When feeding a litter, the dam must meet both her own nutritional needs and those of her puppies. By weeks three to four, she may require two to four times her normal calorie intake, depending on litter size. If you are unsure about the amount of food she should be having, talk to your vet, breeder or pet food manufacturer about feeding a dog during and after pregnancy.
- Some dams will be very nervous during lactation and may need encouragement to eat. Many dams may need to be fed free-choice, letting them decide when to eat and how much. This helps them to reach the energy intake they need for their level of milk production. Keep in mind, if she only has one puppy, free-choice feeding may not be ideal, as she may then gain too much weight. Keep a close eye on her body condition and weight throughout lactation and make sure you adjust meal timings and amounts to keep her at her ideal condition.
- When weaning begins, slightly reduce the dam’s food to help decrease milk production. Once the litter is fully weaned, gradually return her to her normal diet over one to two weeks, avoiding sudden changes while she recovers from rearing her litter.
Monitoring for Issues
Keep a close eye on mum in the hours and days after whelping, as some complications can develop quickly. Check her regularly, including monitoring her temperature during the first 10 days. Seek veterinary advice if she has a temperature rising above 39.7C as this could indicate an infection.
Some post-whelping issues can be very serious, so it’s important that you don’t delay if you have any concerns. Contact your vet straight away if you notice:
- Heavy bleeding, a foul‑smelling discharge, or nipples that are swollen, hot, or red (signs of mastitis).
- She is very lethargic, unresponsive, not caring for her puppies, or showing signs of pain or distress such as severe tummy pain, collapsing, or frequent sickness.
Stay in regular contact with your vet, keeping them updated on the dam and her puppies, and follow their advice on any recommended check-ups. If at any time the dam shows aggression, a lack of interest, or refuses to nurse the puppies, seek guidance from your vet.