Pre-birth behavior of German Shepherd

Before giving birth, the appetite of the German Shepherd dog will decrease or even show signs of anorexia. Measuring the dog's rectal temperature, it will be about one degree lower than the normal body temperature. The dog will exhibit irritability and anxiety, and may even show signs of biting objects. The dog's vulva will have a discharge of mucus and the mucous membrane will be red and swollen. One to two days before labor, colostrum can be expressed from the dog's breasts.

How many days does a German Shepherd dog give birth after pregnancy?

Usually, German Shepherds will give birth 60-65 days after pregnancy, with an average of 63 days. Generally, after pregnancy, German Shepherds will show symptoms such as red and enlarged nipples, hair loss around the breasts, vomiting, decreased appetite in the early stages of pregnancy, and increased appetite in the later stages of pregnancy. The dog's abdomen will begin to noticeably expand around day 40 of pregnancy, and the fetus can be felt when touching the abdomen.

What needs to be prepared before the German Shepherd gives birth?

Choose a delivery room: A spacious, quiet, well-lit, and airy room with an indoor temperature of 18-25 degrees Celsius should be selected as the delivery room. Sanitize the room: The delivery room should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected with 0.5% Lysol solution, keeping the air circulating. The entire body of the mother dog should be cleaned, especially the hips, vulva, and breasts. Prepare a nest box: Make a nest box from wooden planks. The area of the nest box should be sufficient for the mother dog to lie down comfortably and for the puppies to move freely. The height of the nest box should prevent the puppies from crawling out. Keep the nest box dry. Prepare necessary tools and medicines for delivery: such as scissors, tweezers, cotton balls, cotton thread, 75% alcohol, towels, tissues, and oxytocin.

How to care for the German Shepherd after giving birth

Usually, postpartum care of dogs needs to pay attention to nutrition issues. Because dogs lose many nutrients during pregnancy, they may be weak after giving birth. It is inappropriate to overfeed or underfeed. Pay attention to balanced nutrition to prevent the dog's body from being unable to accept excessive nourishment. Ensure a quiet and comfortable environment. Dogs are physically and mentally weak after giving birth and need plenty of rest. A quiet environment is particularly important. Pay attention to temperature issues. If it's cold in winter, keep the room warm. If it's hot in summer, ensure good ventilation to prevent the mother dog from heatstroke or catching a cold.