Reproductive planning in cats and dogs can take on many forms.
It is important if you are planning to find the appropriate husband or wife for your pet, or start a breeding program, to first ensure your pet is healthy. There are many things that you can do to ensure the safety and health of your pet and their kids.
It is also important to plan well ahead and research what to expect before, during and after the delivery. Our veterinary team at CVH can help you with handouts and information to be top notch midwives!
Sweetie and her 10 puppies. She and her husband Miskart were two of the most beautiful Salukis in Qatar
Many pet owners in Qatar would like their pets to have babies. Although this is a very good experience for the families, it is also important to realize that pets often have twins, triples or even up to 10 or 12 offspring in one litter. This is a far faster population growth than we would see in people. With so many mouths to feed, it is often impossible for the parents, or families to provide medical care, food and and find good homes for them all.
It is also a problem when females continue to have litters, even though they are great grandmothers! We certainly would not be looking for husbands for our grandmothers, and this is why is is a valid consideration to consider having these pets spayed after their first litter. In this way they can live out their senior years in comfort and not being pestered by young street cats and dogs! Our pets also have earned the right to enjoy their golden years with their families.
So many pets end up starving and suffering on the street due to unwanted children. Perhaps we all need to find a compromise, and by spaying and neutering some of the street cats, and letting specific pets reproduce at home, the overall pet population with be far healthier and happier.
In order for pets to have babies, they must be old enough. They should not be in under a year of age, and in most cases should be a little older. They should be up to date on vaccinations, and deworming, to ensure their babies are protected and healthier in the first months of life. Careful selection of male and females for marriage, will ensure less problems in their delivery as well.
If your pet is not getting pregnant, there may be a medical reason where we can help. It is always best to speak to one of our veterinarians before considering a breeding program or marriage for your favorite pets.
In addition, once your pet is pregnant it is very important they be offered the right medical and nutritional care during the pregnancy and the first months of life for their children. Our veterinary team at CVH will be able to help advise you on what is the best course of action for your pet.
