MATERNAL INSTINCTS

Today is Mother’s Day. A day when we salute the women who nurture, love, cherish and selflessly devote their entire beings to their families including their companion animals; the glue that keeps us together!
On this special day, I have decided to devote this week’s article to paying homage to our female canine pets and to discuss their maternal instincts.
Much of what follows also applies to the maternal instincts in cats.

DO DOGS HAVE MATERNAL INSTINCTS?
This may seem a puerile question to anyone who has witnessed the birthing process and the protective behavoir of a mother dog over her litter of puppies. But, there are instances when the maternal instinct is not as evident, the causes of which are discussed later in this article.

The surge of hormonal changes in the mother dogs during pregnancy and in the birthing period prepares her for motherhood and is responsible for the development of strong maternal instincts which she immediately displays towards her pups. Also, generations of mother dogs would have acquired the caring traits from the conduct of their ancestors.
The first noticeable reaction of the mother dog to the birth of puppies is her display of dedication. This includes;
Severing the umbilical cord, removing the birthing sac and cleaning the pups on her own
Nursing them
Stimulating them (breathing, urinating, defecating) via grooming
Keeping them warm
Protecting them against intruders or perceived threats

Later, as the puppies eyes and ears open, the mother dog establishes a teaching protocol; how to play, how to vocalise their needs and how to interact with the environment. Researches have affirmed that early in the pup’s lives, the mother dog shapes their emotional development as well as trust and confidence in their immediate surroundings.
Mother dogs train their puppies through such actions as nudging, picking them up by the scruff of the neck, restraining their movement and by growling and even barking. Never intervene when you observe these actions; the puppies soon understand them and acquiesce.

Heartwarmingly, that maternal instinct can extend to new borns of other species. Many occasions arise where abandoned or orphaned kittens and puppies are suckled and cared for by mother dogs or mother cats. These manifestations truly reflect the remarkable instincts and personalities of our four legged friends!
Breeders may wonder if mother dogs are affected when their puppies are removed from them. Indeed they feel sad. They also experience physical and emotional distress if their offspring die shortly after birth. Both situations call for some Tender Loving Care (TLC) and consultations with your veterinarians.

DO ALL MOTHER DOGS DISPLAY THE SAME LEVEL OF MATERNAL INSTINCTS?
The answer is, regrettably, NO. Some mothers show less interest in caring for their offspring, while others may be too overtly anxious and protective. Such behavoir is infleunced by various factors, including breed, age and temperament as well as the level of care she received (and has received) from her caregivers.
It is quite understandable for a novice mother to not cope adequately with a litter of squirming puppies, especially in the first few hours. With your assitance, she can be shown how to nurse her pups.
And this brings me to an interesting observation that may be related to instinct, and which may undermine and be couterproductive to the coping of the novice mother. I am referring to the phenomenon associated with the mother dog which has developed strong bonds to humans. She may have been “spoiled” since her arrival in her forever home. How do I, as a Vet, tell my loving and caring client that too much TLC can actually make the pet believe that she too is a human? When she does give birth to a litter, she is thrown into a confusing situation where she has to make a decision: Care for her puppies? Or continue to be companion for her caregiver? Veterinarians can advise owners on the steps to be taken to ensure that the novice mother dog concentrates on her offspring and adjust to her new circumstances without threatening her place in the family heirachy. Her maternal instinct will eventually kick in.

Some words of advice
A mother dog whelping her first litter must be watched closely but not intrusively.
Never totally abandon the novice mother. Take a peep every now and then to observe her behaviour and her maternal instincts. Actually, some mother dogs feel secure when their beloved caregivers are closeby to support and provide the comfortable environment.
DO NOT handle the new born puppies. Avoid the urge to cuddle them and allowing children to hold and hug them. This is particularly important if the mom is highly strung and uncomfortable in her new dispensation.
Visitors must be kept at the absolute minimum, particularly during the parturition period. This is especially relevant to cats, who are by nature secretive. We have noted that even when the caregiver has prepared a “delivery nest”, the mother cat may find another site to hide and give birth – e.g. under the bed, in a wardrobe, in the neighbour’s yard.
Next week, we shall continue in our series of popular dog breeds and crossbreeds in Guyana.
Happy Mother’s Day!!