eats her babys

beaglebill · Post by **beaglebill** » Thu Aug 26, 2004 12:31 pm

I have a friend that has a real very good female other than she has eaten her pups that is all but one. He is going to try one more time but is going to take her to vet first thinking there may be something missing in her diet. I think something is missing in her brain. Other than finding another mother at time of delivery any suggestions????

Red Briar Kennels · Post by **Red Briar Kennels** » Thu Aug 26, 2004 1:18 pm

I would have to say that hearing that is a first for me. I've heard of mothers killing their young for various reasons in different ways,...but never eating them. I think like people, there are females that are cut out for mother-hood and some that aren't. Sounds to me like I don't know if I would risk another litter. I'm not sure I could trust the female anymore.

oakhill · Post by **oakhill** » Thu Aug 26, 2004 3:27 pm

I know that a female will eat any dead pups. They will keep their nest as clean as possible and if a pup dies and no one is there to take it out, they will more than likely eat the pup. This is part of nature same as eating all the pups wastes. Let us know if she continues to do this. Never had one eat a pup that was alive.

S.R.Patch · Post by **S.R.Patch** » Fri Aug 27, 2004 2:01 pm

Oak hill is correct.
If the bitch senses that a pups not right, she will remove it from the nest or eat it(one bad apple spoiling the whole bunch).
Many things can affect how the bitch reacts when welping. A bitch made nervious by people or her surrounding will eat the pups. A last minute move of the bitch to a strange box can trigger them to eat.
A second or third try is always worth it on a good bitch to see what she may give you.
Thinking back, it's amazing that our hounds used to go dig holes under the shed and welp their pups. I still remember crawling under there to get them out to play with them...lol... Maybe sometimes we get to involved...Patch

beaglebill · Post by **beaglebill** » Fri Aug 27, 2004 3:48 pm

I totally agree Patch about the getting involved. I can recall moments when we have had to say lets back off and leave them alone. We have raised many pups from many different breeds plus several horses. I have had one fellow tell me pigs sometimes get a supplement for they have been known to eat little ones. The supplement supposed to act as a preventative. You remind me of the time i was bitten by a dog with pups that came running out from under a house. I was very small at the time we were playing near the house. Maybe we need to get this female totally away from other dogs at the time of delivery...might be one thing to try.