French bulldogs are loyal companions who have become popular pets in recent years. If you are thinking about breeding your French bulldog, or if she is already pregnant, you can do a few things to make sure she has a happy and healthy pregnancy.
Veterinary Care
While it is best to have your French bulldog seen by a vet before breeding her, as soon as you think your French bulldog is pregnant, you should schedule an appointment. The vet may be able to confirm the pregnancy by ultrasound or by probing the abdomen. If your bulldog needs vaccinations, your vet may want to get those caught up to ensure the puppies will be protected after birth.
Feeding
Dog pregnancy has three trimesters, each lasting about 21 days. During the first trimester, as soon as the pregnancy is confirmed, most breeders switch to a high-quality puppy food for small dogs. The first ingredient should be meat, from an animal you recognize. Avoid feeds with animal byproducts, if possible. Leaving food out all day or providing multiple small meals each day will help: the litter growing inside her will compress your dog's stomach.
Environment
It is best to keep the environment as stable as possible while your French bulldog is pregnant or caring for her litter. Avoid changing routines, adding new pets and rearranging the furniture if possible. Find a corner of a quiet room to place the whelping box, and make sure she has the ability to retreat to that place at all times.
Behavior
A pregnant French bulldog can go from sweet family pet to protective mom overnight. While some pregnant bulldogs show no signs of irritability or aggressiveness, others may not hesitate to snap at their owners when they need space. It's best to keep children from putting their hands in the whelping box, and to allow them to play with a pregnant dog only under supervision.
Always check with your veterinarian before changing your pet’s diet, medication, or physical activity routines. This information is not a substitute for a vet’s opinion.
Writer Bio
Jillian Peterson began her professional writing career in 2007, writing training manuals for the staffing industry. She contributes to eHow, specializing in staffing, employment and business-management topics. Peterson has an Associate of Arts in business management from the University of Phoenix and is pursuing her Bachelor of Science in nursing at the University of West Georgia.