#New labrador puppy checklist how to#

Newborn puppies can’t regulate their body temperature. A bunch of newborn Labrador puppies snuggled up to mom and surrounded by comfort blankets is really adorable. Making sure they are all warm and cozy will be your priority. You’ll also need additional towels and blankets ready for the little puppies after the birth. If your Lab has a favorite blanket or an old shirt of yours that she loves to snuggle up with, use those. They will help keep her warm and feeling safe and secure. You should have some blankets around the mom. It will also include emergency items that you hopefully will not need but should have ready. Having the checklist ready is an essential step to making sure you are ready! You don’t want to be scrambling at the last minute looking for clean blankets or a thermometer.Īnd remember, the checklist should include everything you may need before, during, and after the birth. But if your vet specifies anything additional for your Labrador, always adhere to their instructions. Prepare a Checklist of Suppliesīelow is a general checklist that will be useful to have handy for your pups’ birth. Your vet may also recommend folic acid and essential fatty acid supplements. This ensures an adequate nutrient and calorie intake. Transition the food gradually and feed little and often. High-quality and highly digestible puppy food is generally recommended, but don’t feed a puppy food intended for large breeds, as it will have the incorrect amounts of calcium and phosphorous needed for the developing fetuses. Your vet is the best person to advise you exactly what your dog needs at this stage in the pregnancy. The third trimester is when the pups develop rapidly, and your girl will need more calories for energy, depending on how many puppies she is carrying. Make sure she doesn’t either lose weight or become overweight during this time. “Good nutrition sets the stage for successful breeding and pregnancy.” VCA Hospitals – Robin Downing, DVM, CVPP, CCRP, DAAPMĭuring the first two trimesters of the pregnancy, your Labrador’s nutritional requirements will be essentially the same. Your vet will be able to give you valuable input and help you plan for the birth.Įnsure your dog has a healthy diet in place, along with the appropriate exercise, and do everything you can to make sure she stays healthy throughout the pregnancy.

#New labrador puppy checklist how to#

As with human pregnancies, health concerns are elevated during gestation, so be sure to take your mom-to-be to the vet if you have any concerns and continue to monitor her throughout the pregnancy.īe sure to ask your vet any questions you may have about how to care for your Labrador during the coming weeks and the birth itself. Your vet will conduct a thorough exam and inform you of anything you should know. Ensuring her overall health is the important first step. In any case, once you suspect your dog is pregnant, you will need to take her for regular check-ups.

To ensure your Labrador is as successful as possible during birth, make sure to have frequent discussions with your vet.

How many puppies to expect for a first-time mother.Įven though your dog will be relatively undemanding when it comes to the actual birth, there are still loads of things you will need to do to get her ready, including getting the area prepared where she will be giving birth.

How long it takes for your Labrador to give birth.

How to prepare your Labrador for giving birth, including a checklist of supplies you’ll need.

While you may not be an expert on helping your Labrador give birth, the following information will give you an idea of what you should do and what to expect. That doesn’t mean you won’t play any role! A vital part of the process is knowing when she needs you versus when you need to let her do her thing. It may be surprising to some, but Labrador Retrievers and most breeds are very self-sufficient during birth. Provide a clean and comfortable environment for your dog, such as a whelping box, and give her space but be ready to intervene if necessary. To help a Labrador give birth, ensure you are prepared by talking to your vet first and obtaining the birthing supplies you need. Helping your Labrador give birth is an incredible, exciting, and rewarding experience while also slightly nerve-wracking! If you wonder what you should do when your Lab is giving birth to her pups, there are plenty of ways to help your dog.