Leaving your pet with someone you don't know can be a daunting and confronting task however for some pet owners it is a matter of necessity. Here are some tips on how to select a facility for your pet and make their stay as comfortable as possible.

What happens if my dog has trouble delivering her puppies?

Although the majority of dogs will give birth without the need for veterinary assistance, problems can arise which require veterinary attention. It is important to closely monitor your pet during birthing and seek veterinary care if you have any concerns.

When will I be able to place the puppies in homes?

Most puppies can be placed in their new homes at around eight weeks of age. Puppies should remain with the litter this long to ensure proper weaning and social development. Puppies that are taken from the litter and mother earlier than this are known to have an increased amount of behavioral problems.

What should I expect during the puppies' first few weeks of life?

How long does pregnancy in the dog last?

Pregnancy, also called the gestation period, normally ranges from 57-65 days with an average of 63 days.

With a planned breeding, the date of mating should be carefully recorded. If there are two matings, make a note of the exact dates and expect birth to occur between 63 and 65 days later.

If the delivery was without incident, what do I have to do to care for the newborn puppies?

For the next two months, even if everything went smoothly with the birth, you have a lot of work to do! After the birthing process, clean up the mother as much as possible without upsetting her. Remove any of the soiled newspaper or bedding from her whelping box.

What should I do to prepare for the birth of the puppies?

From the time of mating, many females will show changes in behavior, often becoming more affectionate. However, some pets will become uncharacteristically irritable and may even act aggressively during pregnancy. Be sensitive to your pet's behavioral changes and be sure to alert your veterinarian if you observe any abnormalities that you are uncomfortable with.

What do we mean by desexing?

Surgical desexing involves removing part of the reproductive system of an animal whilst under a general anaesthetic. There are many different names to describe this procedure but the correct word in females is spay or an ovario-hysterectomy and in males it is castration or desexing or neutering.