Caring for Pregnant Dogs and Cats

We see many types of cases at Tails Animal Chiropractic Care, and one we are passionate about is care throughout pregnancy and for new puppies and kittens! Growing babies is a miracle of nature, and our pets make it look so easy! Dogs and cats are pregnant for about two months, so the growth of those babies is exponential every day. Chiropractic care can help the mom’s body adapt to the sudden growth, organ movement, labor pains, and duration of active contractions.

During pregnant dogs and cats, there is a shift in the center of gravity as the uterus grows. In humans, this causes the belly to protrude and sink lower, and the low back arches to accommodate the weight. The hip bones also rotate forward, which can lead to nerve pain in the low back and down the legs. We see the same situation in dog and cat moms! During our adjustments, we pay special attention to the proper alignment of the pelvis and sacrum. This will release pressure on the nerves that supply the hind legs, especially the sciatic nerve- this runs along the glute and hamstring muscles and can cause sharp, stabbing pains when sitting or walking.

With the sudden growth of the uterus and the disruption of normal organ position, mommas can experience discomfort in ligaments in the lower abdomen. These are called round ligaments. In animals, these attach to either side of the uterus, and connect to the lower abdominal wall near the sacrum. Sudden growth or position change of the babies can cause these two ligaments to stretch, which changes the stress on the pelvis and can distort the uterus shape! Chiropractic adjustments can help relieve this pressure in dogs and cats as well!

When your dog or cat starts showing signs of labor, it should be a seamless process as each puppy or kitten follows the one before. If labor stalls, this may have something to do with pelvic misalignment. By having mom under chiropractic care during her pregnancy, especially in the second and third trimesters, her body is properly aligned, and can use every contraction efficiently to birth those babies!

Here at Tails, we love birth, and there’s nothing cuter than sweet puppies or kittens! That’s why we offer home visits to check on the babies and mom as soon as possible after labor. Birth is tough on the moms, and it’s also tough on a baby as they’re moved through the birth canal. That’s why it’s so important to have their nervous systems checked so they will be as healthy as possible. We also offer puppy and kitten wellness plans to make sure they are recovering from all their playtime activities.

If you are expecting puppies or kittens in the next few months, we would love to set up a treatment plan for you!