Why does a female dog scratch the ground after giving birth?
Recently, many pet owners have noticed that female dogs will display pawing behavior after giving birth, which has attracted widespread attention. In order to help everyone better understand this behavior, we have compiled hot topics and hot content on the Internet in the past 10 days, and combined with expert opinions, we will provide you with a detailed analysis of the reasons and countermeasures for female dogs digging the ground after giving birth.
1. Common reasons why female dogs dig the ground after giving birth

Pawing in female dogs after giving birth is an instinctive behavior that may be caused by a variety of factors. Here are some common reasons:
| Reason | Specific performance | Expert advice |
|---|---|---|
| nesting instinct | The mother dog prepares a more comfortable resting environment for her pups by pawing the ground. | Provide soft cushions or nests for their nesting needs |
| anxiety or stress | Postpartum hormonal changes or environmental discomfort lead to anxiety | Keep the environment quiet and reduce distractions |
| feeling unwell | Postpartum pain or discomfort caused by uterine contractions | Seek medical examination promptly to rule out health problems |
| territory mark | Release scent by pawing the ground to mark territory | Appropriately increase activity space and reduce competitive pressure |
2. Analysis of hot topics on the entire network in the past 10 days
A search of social media and pet forums revealed the following topics to be highly relevant to female dog postpartum behavior:
| topic | Discussion popularity | Main point |
|---|---|---|
| Postpartum care for female dogs | high | Emphasis on the importance of nutritional supplementation and environmental comfort |
| Postpartum behavioral abnormalities | in | Discuss the biological significance of behaviors such as digging on the ground and hiding cubs |
| pet mental health | high | Focus on preventive measures for postpartum depression and anxiety |
| Puppy feeding issues | in | The impact of mother dog behavior on puppy health |
3. How to deal with the pawing behavior of female dogs after giving birth
If your female dog shows pawing behavior after giving birth, you can take the following measures:
1.Provide a comfortable delivery room environment: Make sure the delivery room is warm, quiet, and covered with soft mats to reduce the bitch’s need to pave the ground due to discomfort.
2.Increase companionship and comfort: A female dog may dig on the ground due to anxiety after giving birth. The owner should accompany her more often and comfort her with a soft voice.
3.Check health status: If the digging behavior is accompanied by other abnormal symptoms (such as loss of appetite, fever, etc.), you should seek medical treatment in time.
4.Proper exercise: With the permission of your veterinarian, take your female dog for light activities to help relieve stress.
4. Excerpts from expert opinions
We spoke to several pet behavior experts, and here’s what they have to say:
1.Dr. Zhang (pet behavior expert): Pagging is normal behavior for female dogs after giving birth, but if it continues for too long or occurs too frequently, intervention may be needed.
2.Professor Li (Ph.D. in Animal Psychology): This behavior may be related to the genetic memory of the mother dog's ancestors digging in the ground to hide the pups from predators.
3.Veterinarian Wang (10 years of clinical experience): After eliminating health problems, the digging behavior can be reduced through environmental adjustments, such as providing a dedicated digging area.
5. Summary
Pawing on the ground after giving birth is a common instinctive behavior in female dogs and is usually nothing to worry about. By understanding the reasons behind this and taking appropriate responses, you can help your female dog better adapt to postpartum life. If the behavior is abnormal or accompanied by other symptoms, it is recommended to consult a veterinarian promptly.
I hope this article can answer your questions and provide practical suggestions. If you have more questions, please leave a message in the comment area to discuss!
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