Why do pitbulls eat their puppies? Well, not only pitbulls that can harm their newborn. Other breeds can eat their puppies as well.
It is common knowledge that female dogs can eat their puppies. While mothers want to take care of their little ones, sometimes, things don’t go as planned.
Unexpected situations can cause the death of puppies. Sometimes, mothers can leave their newborn without any reason.
However, in rare cases, we see females eat their young. In the canine world, cannibalistic behavior is common.
Dogs are not like humans. They have their rules and lifestyles. This can be seen in the way they handle their young.
The Birthing Process
While humans want support during the birthing process of their young ones, you may not want to interfere in dogs’ situations.
Intervention is not necessary for most situations. Female dogs can take care of their newborn instinctively.
When they give birth, female dogs understand the assignment and act to the best of their young ones.
Even first-time mothers know what to do when they give birth to their puppies. After delivery, mothers free the puppies from the sac.
They lick them neat and bite off the umbilical cord. The mothers spend more time feeding and watching over these puppies the first several weeks.
She only leaves them briefly and comes back to them. Over time, she starts staying away to give them their independence.
Why do pitbulls eat their puppies?
Here are some of the reasons why pitbulls eat their puppies:
Common Causes for Cannibalism
Mothers eat their puppies immediately or a few days after birth. There are reasons for this cannibalism.
First, the behavior can be traced to hereditary. However, there is no conclusive evidence that can support this theory.
Accidental Cannibalism
Sometimes, freeing a puppy from its birthing sac could go wrong. Female dogs clean their newborn and take off the umbilical cord.
They eat their placentas to help them replenish some nutrients lost, including strength after birth.
Mothers can accidentally eat their newborn during this process. When puppies die in the womb or during birth, mothers bury them somewhere else.
However, some female pitbulls may not recognize the hormones of dead puppies. Hence, they don’t know that there is a dead puppy among her litter.
She may end up eating such a dog alongside her placenta. Have a look at my article here to learn why does your pitbull stink?
Unhealthy Puppies
Some newborn may get sick or die. Also, respiratory infections and other medical complications can make a puppy sick after birth.
You can find faults among the litters after birth. Unhealthy puppies may not survive with other puppies.
When some mothers spot such puppies, they may decide to help them or eat them. The choice is mostly theirs to make.
They do this to remove the health risk and save the other puppies. This could a reason why pitbulls eat their puppies.
Stress
Birth is always stressful. Pitbulls can be scared, tired, and frustrated trying to take care of their wailing puppies.
The stress could force the mothers to make bad decisions. Sometimes, predatory instincts can cause them to eat some of their young.
You can alleviate such stress by offering the mothers attention, food, and love. Sometimes, you need to separate the mothers from their puppies.
However, this could cause more stress for both the puppies and their mothers. This type of exercise must be done with caution.
Mastitis
Have you heard of mastitis? Mastitis is a serious medical condition that affects female dogs.
It affects the breast tissue shortly after birth. Hence, the mothers suffer from red and swollen teats.
This condition makes them sensitive and creates trouble between the litter and mother. Puppies need their mothers; milk immediately after birth.
The milk helps them fend off infection and stay healthy. Also, the suckling bonds mother and litter.
However, if a female dog suffers from mastitis, feeding the litter becomes a painful experience.
She may not want the litter close to her. She can kill and eat her young in extreme cases.
While mastitis is a serious problem, you can treat it. You should seek the help of veterinary doctors in such cases.
Hormonal Issues
Often, female dogs may not recognize their newborns. When this happens, they resort to eating them.
During birth, pitbulls produce different hormones. The hormones act differently on the dogs. Some ensure that they identify their puppies.
However, if these hormones are not produced, the dogs may not know their newborns. This could happen during Cesarean sections.
A cesarean section happens when veterinarians remove the puppies from the womb using surgery.
Since newborns are not naturally born, the hormones are not released. When the female pitbull wakes from surgery and finds screaming puppies, it may force her to attack.
They may mistake the newborn as prey and eat them up. Newborns are small like rodents or squirrels.
This makes it a common problem for these dogs. However, dogs will get the hormones later on after cesarean sections.
You can separate the mothers from their puppies after surgery to prevent cannibalism.
Bred Too Young
A mother who is not ready for puppies may not want them around her. You should ask your dog breeder when a female should be ready for pregnancy.
Wrong pregnancy timing could lead to cannibalism. Young dogs may not be able to handle their puppies.
An unfit mother could be a danger to its puppies. These mothers would lash at their newborns and exhibit difficult behaviors.
Mostly, they abandon their newborns, and in rare cases, eat them up. Cannibalism happens in the animal kingdom.
You should know that mothers rarely eat their puppies. Cannibalism can still happen among mothers.
To prevent such behavior, you should be vigilant. You must pay attention to your dog and her puppies.
Ensure that she is comfortable, well-fed, and calm around her puppies.
Do male pitbulls eat their puppies?
Male dogs don’t behave like the female dogs around their newborns. They do not kill or eat their young.
Male dogs have no reason to eat their newborns. However, you should ensure that male dogs are not around during delivery.
Should the male dog stay away from puppies?
We know that dogs are very protective and close off during the first two weeks after their delivery.
The male dogs should be put away from the mother and their puppies during this period.