As a dog breeder or animal lover, you may experience the pregnancy of your canine friend. Dog birth, know to animal experts as whelping, can be as complicated as human birth. Recognising the signs of canine pregnancy, such as large, dark nipples and a growing belly, can help you determine gestation. Inducing labour in canines may be done for health or safety reasons, and you should talk with your veterinarian to determine what is best for your dog.

  • As a dog breeder or animal lover, you may experience the pregnancy of your canine friend.
  • Recognising the signs of canine pregnancy, such as large, dark nipples and a growing belly, can help you determine gestation.

Take your dog for regular checkups. This is especially important during pregnancy to establish a due date, number of puppies to be born and to monitor your dog's fluid and hormone levels throughout gestation. Normal gestation for a dog is approximately 60 days.

Gently massage your dog's abdominal area when its due date approaches. Use light pressure and slow up-down movements. Do not push hard or try to force the puppies down and out of the birth canal. A rough massage is not only painful for your dog, but can harm your dog or her unborn puppies.

  • Gently massage your dog's abdominal area when its due date approaches.
  • A rough massage is not only painful for your dog, but can harm your dog or her unborn puppies.

Massage your dog's nipples to stimulate milk production. This will also release the hormone oxytocin, which can bring on contractions. Allowing puppies to nurse between births can help to stimulate labour contractions. A veterinarian can administer oxytocin through injection or intravenously as well.

Mix herbal remedies known to induce labour with your dog's food. Blue or black cohosh and red raspberry leaves are said to induce labour. You can find these herbs at a natural-food or speciality grocery store. Try mixing castor oil with your dog's food, as well.

  • Mix herbal remedies known to induce labour with your dog's food.

Provide your dog with enough calcium throughout her pregnancy. Low calcium levels have been associated with weak contractions and longer labour times. Your veterinarian may decide to provide a calcium injection to assist or bring on labour.

Exercise your dog regularly throughout her pregnancy. A long, slow walk or a light game of fetch close to your dog's due date can bring on labour.

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Use caution when trying herbal remedies, as some may not be approved by veterinarians. Patience is key when inducing canine labour, as many methods take several hours or days to show effects, if any.