Just like humans, dogs can also get pregnant. This is especially true if you want to breed your Golden Retriever to come up with cute little puppies. You have to bear in mind though that taking care of a pregnant Retriever can be hard work. But I can assure you that it is also rewarding once you see those cuddly little pups come out to the world!
I took care of my dog when it was pregnant and it is no ordinary task. It took 62 weeks all in all to complete a Golden Retriever pregnancy cycle. During this period, I noticed some changes in my Golden's over-all behavior. The once happy and playful dog became lethargic and mostly just wants to lie around. I also noticed that she lost her appetite and was having her own episode of "morning sickness".
She also became less affectionate and just wanted to retreat to a quiet, secluded place. I had to prepare a special sleeping area for her to make sure that she gets enough rest during her pregnancy. But after a few weeks, she bounced back to her old self. She became playful again and affectionate. She also regained her appetite but a little bit more than usual.
I had to make sure that she has all the food that she needs whenever she wants to eat. Aside from her regular dog food that is high in protein and other nutrients necessary for a pregnant Golden Retriever, I also gave her freshly cooked home food. I also made sure that she gets her regular visits to the vet to ensure that her pregnancy is alright. The pregnancy is quite a special situation that needs extra visits to the vet. Just like with expecting mothers, a pre-natal check-up is essential to the over-all well-being of both the mother and the baby.
Exercise is likewise an essential part of a Golden Retriever during pregnancy. I made sure that my dog got 30 minutes of walking every day. I also let her swim once a week to help keep her muscles strong and well-toned to prepare her for labor. She will also need to be physically fit to care for her many pups.
If you suspect that your Golden Retriever might be pregnant, it is wise to check for the following symptoms: occasional vomiting similar to a morning sickness, discharge from her vulva, and bit swollen nipples in preparation for lactation. All the rest of the behavioral changes I mentioned above are also worthwhile indication of Golden Retriever pregnancy.
But if you are still not sure if she is pregnant, you might want to have her blood checked for relaxin. It is a hormone that is only found in pregnant dogs. You can also have your Golden x-rayed to check the number of puppies that she might be expecting.
Knowing all these information is necessary for the healthy pregnancy of your Golden Retriever. There is nothing worse than losing your dog and her puppies just because you are not prepared for the situation.
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