Dog Breast Feeding

During the first hours, the puppy feeds on the colostrum, which are rich in immunoglobulin that protects the puppy from infections. Sometimes it is precise to help the puppy breast feed by putting it under the teat and it for the milk to go up. Further ahead we will examine the cases when the female does not have enough mild to feed her young. It is essential to watch the state of the female's teats, since some of the puppies are gluttons they can make wounds on them that can get infected.

The Colostrum: It is the viscous yellow liquid secreted by the teats at the time of birth. Its laxative properties permit the elimination of the meconio that is found in the digestive tube of the newborn. On the other hand, it is rich in vitamins. Since it is easy to digest it guarantees the alimentation of the puppy. It also helps fight against infections thanks to its immunological actions.

The Female's Milk: It has a high content of lipids, which almost covers the puppy's necessities. The sugars in the milk are represented by lactose, which the puppy does not assimilate since it does not have lactase, the enzyme that permits the digestion of this sugar. Remember that cow milk is very rich in lactose. Proteins are fundamental for the puppy, since it only makes 12 of the 22 amino acids that are necessary for its growth.

The female during breast feeding

The alimentation: The production of milk demands an important energetic contribution and an overall contribution of calcium to prevent eclampsia. The breast feeding should only last through the third or fifth week after birth, and then it decrease; until it stops at weaning at seven weeks. During the time of breast feeding the energetic necessities of the dog are 4 times the normal amount, and her necessity of proteins is 6 times as much. Since the third to the fifth week, we should contribute to her alimentation:

• Three times more phosphorous, calcium and minerals,
• Three times more energy,
• Six times more proteins.

If we have decided to go for a traditional alimentation, we should add calcium and balance the proteins well. The easiest thing is to choose food that you find in stores and that bears in mind the females specific necessities during this period.

The female's behavior during breast feeding: During the first few days, the female will not abandon he nest or her litter. She will only leave to feed herself and to go to the bathroom. She will adopt a position that will allow the puppies to feed easily. The puppies look for the teat and find it after a while.

The Licking: Each female licks her puppy instinctively, with several functions. Firstly, this licking stimulates the puppy's anal and genital areas helping it get rid of wastes. They allow the female to mark the puppy, leave a scent. This licking goes on during the fourth or fifth day. Between the twentieth and fortieth days, urination is automatic; but defecating will not be for the next 30 days. This element is very important for the orphan puppies that are fed with a bottle. The owners must stimulate them by passing a wet piece of cotton through their anal region to provoke urination. The mother also licks the puppies when she considers that they have to breast feed. That wakes them up. While she licks her puppies, she also licks her teats to make it easier for the puppies to find them. The mother pushed the puppies with her tongue for the first days. She will hold the puppies by the neck later on. This phenomenon of getting closer by licking can appear by the third day.

Breast Feeding Illnesses

The Lack of Milk: The dog can present agalaxia, the lack of the secretion of milk, in which case the breast feeding will have to be done by another dog or artificially.

Breast Feeding by another Dog: So that a substitute dog can breast feed the puppies, it is precise the female has given birth to very few puppies. The composition of milk changes during breast feeding: this method needs the substitute mother is in the same phase of breast feeding as the mother of the puppies. Nevertheless, many difficulties can appear with many difficulties because rejections are frequent. more about Artificial Dog Breast Feeding