When To Walk A Dog After Giving Birth?

If you have a dog that’s just given birth, you may find yourself wondering at what point it’s acceptable for you to take them on a dog walk. The answer tends to vary depending on each dog, but luckily, there are easy ways to figure out when it’s acceptable to take your dog on a walk.

When To Walk A Dog After Giving Birth?

 

Knowing exactly when it’s okay to take your dog on a walk after they’ve given birth can be quite tricky. In general, it shouldn’t be any sooner than between 24 and 48 hours, but overall, you should just allow them to decide and not push them too far, too soon.

 

When Is It Too Soon To Walk A Dog Who Just Gave Birth?

Dogs can actually go on a walk pretty soon after giving birth. They can go for a walk between 24 and 48 hours after giving birth, however, this should only be a short walk of no longer than 15 minutes.

What Are The Dangers Of Walking A Dog After Having Puppies?

If the mother dog is in contact with other animals before the puppies are three weeks old, this may pass on some illnesses to the puppies as their immune systems are quite weak. You can take the dog for a walk, but keep them away from other animals.

When Can I Walk My Dog After C-Section?

You should wait a week or two before taking your dog on a walk after having a c-section as this gives them a little bit of time to recover but these walks really need to be kept short and gentle as she will still be in recovery.

Should A Dog Who Gave Birth By C-Section (Cesarean) Wait Longer Than A Dog Who Gave Birth Naturally?

It’s best for dogs who have had a c-section to wait longer before they go on a walk than those who have given birth naturally. This is because their incisions will need time to heal and they will be feeling quite sore after the operation.

When To Walk Dog After Having Puppies (Naturally Or By C-Section) And Spaying?

You need to let your dog rest for at least two days, both after having puppies and after they’ve been spayed, but in general, you should just keep an eye on your dog and if they aren’t up for going on a walk, then don’t force them into anything.

Can I Walk My Dog Within 24 Hours Of Giving Birth?

No, don’t walk your dog within 24 hours of giving birth. They need time to recover, no matter how well you think they seem to have recovered within this time period.

 

Can I Walk My Dog 24 Hours After Giving Birth?

Yes, you can walk your dog 24 hours after they have given birth. However, you need to ensure it is only a quick, fifteen minute walk that isn’t too strenuous on your dog. Usually, I let the mom relax with the pups, after a strenuous whelping she does need her rest.

Can I Walk My Dog After 24 Hours But Before 48 Hours Of Giving Birth?

Yes, you can walk your dog within this timeframe, however, just make sure this is a short walk and that it’s not too strenuous for your dog. Again as above I let her rest without any exercise.

 

Can I Walk My Dog 1, 2 Weeks Of Giving Birth?

Yes, you can walk your dog in this timeframe. Much like when you took your dog for a walk between 24 and 48 hours after giving birth, it should be a short walk that isn’t too strenuous, however, you can slightly increase the walk time.

 

Can I Walk My Dog 3, 4 Weeks Of Giving Birth?

You can walk your dog within 3 or 4 weeks of giving birth. This is also another timeframe post-birth that you can slightly increase the time you take your dog on a walk for.

 

Can I Walk My Dog 5, 6 Weeks Of Giving Birth?

You can walk your dog within 5 to 6 weeks of giving birth and can also increase the time you take them for a walk for. You may even at this stage be able to take them for a couple of walks a day, but this depends on how your dog is feeling.

 

Can I Walk My Dog 8, 9 – 12 Weeks Of Giving Birth?

It is during this time frame that the puppies will become more independent, which means you can take your dog on longer walks.

What Are The Factors That Determine How Soon A Dog Can Be Walked After Whelping?

Is She Generally Relaxed/Stressed/Aggressive?

Body language is really important when deciding whether it’s time to take your dog on a walk. If she appears relaxed, it should be fine to take her. However, if you approach her and she’s aggressive, leave her and her new pups to it for the time being.

Is There Area You Plan To Walk Her Crowded With People And Other Dogs/Pets (Fights/Tics/Fleas…)?

This is something you need to be concerned about as in the first three weeks of the puppies lives, they can easily pick up illnesses. Try and walk your dog in a quieter area and at quieter times where they are less likely to come into contact with other people and animals.

 

Is She Reluctant To Leave The New Born Puppies?

A mother dog is likely to be rather reluctant to leave her new born puppies. Just be patient with her and if she appears quite distressed, it’s best to just leave her to it and try and take her on a walk another time.

 

Does She Look Tired/Exhausted/Dehydrated (Has Her Body Sufficiently Recovered)?

All dogs take varying amounts of time to recover after giving birth, whether naturally or after having a c-section. If your dog doesn’t seem fully up for going for a walk, just leave her be and let her go in her own time.

How Clean Is The Area You Plan To Walk Her?

As previously mentioned, newborn puppies can really easily pick up illnesses so if you are walking the mother dog in a dirty area, it can be very easy for them to pick up something and pass it on to their puppies. Keep an eye on this and only walk your dog in clean areas.

 

Wait Until She Is Ready (Even If You Have To Wait For Several Days/Weeks/Months)

This is really important. As previously mentioned, dogs take their own time when recovering from birth and you should never try to force a dog to go for a walk if they’re not ready. They will go in their own time, you just have to be patient.

Wait Until She Weans Her Pups

When your dog has just given birth, she will be spending a lot of time feeding her pups. Only when the puppies don’t have to rely on their mum as much for food is it okay for you to take your dog out on longer walks so she doesn’t have to worry about feeding them.

Is It Safe To Walk A Nursing Dog?

It’s safe to walk a nursing dog just as long as you don’t go too far from your house and have a short walk as she will still be feeding her puppies and looking after them. Take your time and eventually you will be able to take longer walks.

Is It Safe To Take My Whelping Dog For A Walk?

It’s best to leave it at least 24 hours after this has occurred to give them chance to recover and once they appear to be fully settled afterwards.

Is It Safe To Take New Born Puppies For Walks?

It’s not safe to take new born puppies for walks and it’s best to wait until they are aged between 14 and 16 weeks and about two weeks after they’ve had their last injections before you let them go out for a walk.

 

When Is It Safe To Take My Dog Out To Pee After Giving Birth?

Your dog should be peeing and pooping normally within 24 hours after giving birth. If this isn’t the case, take them to the vet and get them checked out.

How Safe Is It To Take My Puppies For A Walk Before Injections?

You should try and avoid taking your puppy for a walk before they have had their last injection, which they will have between the ages of 14 and 16 weeks. This decreases their chances of picking up infections and also means they will eventually get the chance to socialise.

 

How Safe Is It To Take My Puppies For A Walk After Second Vaccination?

Puppies tend to have three vaccinations in total, so if you take your puppies for a walk after their second vaccinations, they won’t be totally protected. It’s best and recommended to wait until two weeks after they’ve had their third vaccination before taking them for a walk.

Can I Walk A Dog With Possible Complications After Giving Birth?

Mastitis

Mastitis is the inflammation of your dog’s breasts and can be caused by a bacterial infection caused from living in an unsanitary environment. If it looks like your dog has a swollen or infected teat or nipple, they immediately need to go to the vet for a check up.

 

Metritis

Metritis is a condition that can happen a week after your dog has given birth. It is caused by a bacterial infection that causes your dog’s uterus to become inflamed. A symptom of this is a smelly discharge from your dog’s vagina and if not treated, can lead to a blood infection.

 

Eclampsia

Eclampsia is a life-threatening condition and is caused by a nursing dog having a calcium deficiency. It usually occurs when the puppies are aged between 1 and 4 weeks and symptoms of this include panting and difficulty walking. They will need to go to the vet immediately.

How To Get Your Dog Back In Shape After Having Puppies?

You need to gradually introduce them back into doing exercise. Start by going on short walks and then gradually build up to longer walks and over time, you should be able to give them lots of exercises. Just be patient and don’t push your dog into anything they’re not ready for.

 

How To Exercise A Mother Dog Before Giving Birth?

When a mother dog is pregnant, it is possible to give them exercise before they give birth, however, if your dog is used to having strenuous exercise, this will need to stop. Take them on more walks but ones that are shorter than they are used to to help build their strength up for birth.

 

Should A Dog Avoid Exercise During Pregnancy?

No, dogs don’t need to avoid exercise during pregnancy, however, you shouldn’t be giving them a strenuous exercise routine. They need to be able to build their strength up for the birth but too much exercise may harm them or their puppies.

Should A Dog Reduce Exercise After Giving Birth?

Yes they should. No dog is going to want to do too much exercise after giving birth and their normal exercise routine should be reduced dramatically to either nothing or to going on one, possibly two, incredibly short walks daily or as and when they feel up to it.

When To Get A Dog Back To Regular Exercise Routing After Giving Birth?

Take your time with them. Start them off on short, easy walks and after a few weeks you can start giving them more exercise time and over time, they will be back to their usual exercise routine.

 

When Should I Take My Dog To The Vet After Giving Birth?

You may need to take your dog to the vet after they’ve given birth if you’re unsure of how your dog is recovering post-birth.

 

References

When Can I Walk My Dog After Having Puppies? How Soon is Best

When To Walk Your Dog After Having Puppies: 5 Vital Tips