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My dog is having puppies. How do I help her and keep them safe?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Female | unspayed | 8 months and 13 days old

Hi! How can I manage the pups when my dog gave birth? What are the things I need to remember during the process of her giving birth? Im afraid the pups might get suffocated or die.

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Bette Isacoff

Dog Trainer

Published on January 29th, 2017

Your bitch may not act like the typical mother because she is way too young to have a litter, and her mothering instincts may not have kicked in yet. Have a box, lined with warm, soft twels ready. As each pup is born, the mom should cut the cord by "scissoring" it with her teeth. If she does not, tie dental floss about four inches from the pup, and at five inches from the pup. Scrape the section in between the ties with a butter knife (you can go back and forth) until the piece of cord is shredded (shredding instead of cutting "seals" the cord better)As soon aa the cord is cut (or before, if you have to do it yourself), clear the pup's airway with a baby bulb syringe--mouth first, then nose. Finally, rub the pup vigorously with a thick towel to get it mostly dry. Put it in the towel-lined box, Have a low-watt light clipped to one side of the box so the puppy can move into and out of the warm spot on the floor of the box. Watch to be sure a placenta is delivered for each puppy. Finally, between births you can give the pup or puppies to the mom to nurse, but remove them if another pup starts to come so she doesn't hurt them accidently. call the vet for breech (feet first) birth, retained placentas, excessive bleeding, or other concerns.

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