Removing the soiled items promptly reduces the risk of contamination and infection.
Make sure the bedding is appropriate for the puppies, as well. It should not have any loose threads or large loops that could wrap around limbs, no holes that the puppies could become trapped under, and nothing so big or plush that it could smother a puppy.
The mother dog will also be responsible for the elimination of waste in the puppies during the first few weeks, so the puppy’s waste may end up on the bedding, too. Be sure to stay away from inappropriate bedding material such as wood shavings or sawdust. While these might be absorbent in the case of an accident, they can be dangerous to both mother and puppies. A soft, washable fabric with disposable liner sheets underneath is ideal.
The mother dog will pass fluid and tissue through the next few weeks. You should continue to clean this up when you see it to keep the mother dog and the puppies free from bacteria.
When you are cleaning the mother, make sure not to take her away from the puppies. Moving away from the puppies can upset her.
Be careful when removing the placenta from the puppies. Use gentle, tender strokes to clean the puppies, and avoid the umbilical area.
Instead, wait two to five days after the birth to give the mother dog a bath.
If you have a long-haired dog, you may want to dry their hair using a blowdryer.
You may also want to trim the hair around her bottom before the birth to reduce the mess. If the hair has blood, fluid, or tissue in it from the birth, you may consider just trimming the hair.
