Is your lovely Pom going to give birth to cute little puppies? I know how excited I was when my Pomeranian was pregnant. The first thing we researched was how many puppies we can expect. If you want to prepare ahead, then this is definitely something important to know.
So, how many puppies can a Pomeranian have? Pomeranians can give birth to 1-5 pups. This is typical for small breeds of dogs. While she is carrying, she will gain more than 20% of her body weight and will eat a lot more food.
Here, I will discuss when you will know the litter size, and how to prepare with more puppies. But, most importantly, I will explain the dangers of a big litter and how to take good care of the future mom.
When Will I Find Out the Size of My Dog’s Litter?
There are different ways you can find out how many puppies you are expecting, but it’s a little bit tricky to get that precise count.
One way to find out is to wait for 25 to around 28 days into the pregnancy and gently and very carefully try to feel your dog’s uterus. If you feel any lumps, those lumps are the puppies. You can count them. But, because of how small they are, it is very easy to miss one.
If you are not confident in your counting, you can leave that job to the vet. They can assess your dog and let you know. For more accurate results, ask your vet to do an ultrasound. This is the best way to know for sure how many puppies you are expecting.
But, to get accurate x-ray readings, you will need to wait until the 55th day of the pregnancy.
When Can the Pregnancy Be Dangerous, Should I Be Worried?
The size of the litter matters. The more puppies she is carrying, the higher the risk of complications during pregnancy. Big dogs can easily give birth to multiple puppies, but for a Pomeranian, 1 to 5 puppies are the numbers they will stick to.
The reason for that is simple and their bodies are not equipped to give birth to a huge litter. In some cases, if your Pomeranian is carrying 5 of them, for example, it’s possible that these puppies might pose a problem for the mom.
Pomeranians who carry the maximum amount of fetuses can experience delivery problems or might even deliver a stillborn.
If your Pomeranian is carrying a lot of puppies, ask for your vet’s advice. They can help you prepare your dog for the road ahead and show you how to give her special care. Knowing the number of puppies can help your vet, and you create a safe birthing plan for the future mom.
You will need to get more equipment, a bigger whelping box, and more supplies. Depending on your dog’s health, the vet can recommend additional nutrition, most likely prenatal vitamins and supplements.
How Should I Take Care of My Pregnant Pomeranian?
Pomeranians are a vulnerable breed, weaker than other dogs. Since you already have one, you should know they need a lot more observation and better care than most. But, when she is pregnant, you will need to focus your attention on her, especially if she is carrying puppies for the very first time.
1. Preparing Ahead of Time Is Crucial If Your Dog Is Pregnant For The First Time
The first thing you should consider getting is a whelping box. This is a wide box with plenty of space for your little furry friend to relax, spread her legs, and feed her babies. This is where she will give birth. Before the due date is even near, you should line the box with a lot of clean sheets.
Putting in a Pet Parents Washable Waterproof Whelping Pad (link to read reviews on Amazon) will ensure your whelping box is clean and comfortable for your Pomeranian. Their machine-washable, waterproof, and affordable!
Now, you are probably wondering, why should I put a whelping box so far ahead of time, she has a lot more time to give birth. Wouldn’t it be better to put the whelping box immediately before the due date?
The answer is no! Your doggy should get accustomed to the whelping box, and she needs time to do it. Help her use it, show her that it’s the best thing she can get. To get these effects, whelping box should be in a quiet place. She needs a private section, somewhere she can come and go undisturbed.
Also, make sure to get anything that can help her give birth easily, for that, consult the vet first. They might suggest some whelping supplies like dental floss, sterilized scissors, or towels.
2. Give Her More Food Than You Normally Do Depend on Which Week She Is At
When she is pregnant for six weeks, make sure to give her 25% more food than you normally feed her. But, once she reaches weeks 7 and 8, it’s time to increase that mealtime again by 25%. The more puppies she has, the hungrier she will be. So, if she ate 2 cups of food before she got pregnant, she will need to eat 4 cups by the 8th week. You should also consider getting her food specifically formulated for pregnant dogs.
3. Make Sure Her Health Is Stable Before and During Birth
Very rarely, your dog can experience complications during pregnancy. These complications must be reported to your vet. If you see her cry or vomit, her temperature increases and hasn’t dropped for an entire day, make sure to take her to the vet immediately.
4. Pay Attention to Her Physical, Social, and Emotional Health During Pregnancy
While your Pomeranian is pregnant, she can experience morning sickness. This is normal during the first couple of weeks. But, make sure that this doesn’t persist longer than that. If it does, you will have to take her to the vet.
Her physical health is not the only thing that can undergo a series of changes; her emotional and social health will do too. Continue to talk with your vet whatever changes you might see happening for your dog.
While these changes are not that important, nor do they seriously impair her well-being, in some cases, they can be problematic. If your dog has given birth before, but experienced extreme trauma from delivery and labor, you will need to do a lot more to keep her in shape.
If your Pom is carrying more puppies, she can experience complications during pregnancy and labor. She will take longer to give birth and will need special preparation and attention. This means adding prenatal vitamins and supplements to her diet that your vet will recommend.
Also, you will need to spend a lot of time with her. Let her know you are the only person she needs to be with. She will then feel more secure in her environment and ready to give birth.
Conclusion
When your Pomeranian is pregnant, you need to monitor her health constantly. She is much weaker than other breeds, so you will have to dedicate plenty of time to her. When you research how many puppies can a Pomeranian have, then the most common answer you will find is 1 to 5.
But, before you get your hopes up, make sure that your dog is healthy and ready to give birth. Take good care of her while she is pregnant to make sure she gives birth to healthy and energetic puppies.
