Why Do Dogs Eat Their Puppy’s Placenta?

The 4 main theories on why dogs eat their puppy’s placenta

Placentophagy, the act of mammals eating the placenta of their young, is a common occurrence. But why? Well, experts differ in opinion on the matter, so there is no definitive answer to this question.

There are, however, 4 compelling theories on why dogs eat their puppy’s placenta:

1. It encourages milk production and speeds up birth

Renowned dog breeder Ann Seranne argues that the mother needs to eat some of the placentas for their high vitamin and hormone levels, which induce milk supply. She also claims that these hormones help the uterus to contract, speeding up the birth of the remaining puppies.

2. To clean up the “den”

The only reason dams eat their placenta is to clean up the area, argues veterinarian Martin Coffman. While this could be simply to get rid of bacteria, there is a theory that this is an instinct dogs retain from living in the wild, when they would have needed to reduce the scent of the birth in order to protect themselves and their young from predators.

3. To get a nutritious source of food

In her book “Advanced Canine Reproduction and Puppy Care,” dog breeder and Registered Nurse Myra Savant Harris argues that the puppy’s placentas, packed with calcium and protein, provide the mother with a nutritious source of food when she most needs it.

She states that many breeders notice that the mother is often uninterested in eating for a couple of days after the birth, which is likely due to her instinct not to leave her newborn puppies while she hunts for food. For this reason, Harris believes the protein-rich placentas are “her food source” for the day or two following whelping, helping her to recover as well as to better nourish her pups.

4. It helps the uterus return to pre-pregnancy state

Gould and Haviland suggest that eating the placenta can help the mother’s uterus revert to pre-gestation shape thanks to high levels of prostaglandin.

Should the mother eat the puppy’s placenta?

Just as experts differ on the reason why dogs eat their puppy’s placenta, they also have different views on whether we should interfere.

Dr Root Kustritz, Diplomate of the American College of Theriogenologists and specialist in small animal reproduction, claims that there is “no good physiological reason” to allow your dog to eat the puppy’s placenta. Veterinarian Dr Beaver holds the same opinion and adds that, while it would have served a purpose for wild canids, it is not necessary in domesticated dogs, who have no need to hunt or protect themselves from predators.

On the other hand, other experts in the field – such as Dan Rich, an experienced veterinarian; and dog breeder and nurse, Harris – strongly advise not to interfere with the dam’s maternal instinct. While Rich does not believe the placentas have any great health benefit for the mother, he says he prefers to see a dam eat all the placental tissues than see someone interfere and take them from her reach.

Many experts do report that eating a large amount of placentas can cause digestive upset like diarrhea and vomiting, however. Even Rich says that, if the whelping process allows it, with utmost discretion you can dispose of some of the placentas to avoid her experiencing adverse effects.

If you are going to allow the dam to eat the placenta, the general consensus seems to be that she should consume no more than two, especially if she is a small breed.

Conclusion

So, we have seen 4 compelling theories as to why dogs eat their puppy’s placenta, which include:

• It induces milk production and speed up the rest of the birth
• It cleans up the den
• It provides the mother with rich nourishment at a time when she needs to recover and won’t leave her young
• It help the uterus return to pre-pregnancy size

As for whether humans should interfere with the mother’s instinct is another matter of debate. Some argue that there is no benefit to dogs today, who live very different lives to wild canids, and the placentas should be disposed of. Others strongly believe that the placenta should be eaten, as it is highly nutritious. Another argument is that, whether it is beneficial or not, we should simply not interfere with the mother’s maternal instinct.

In conclusion, letting the mother eat one or two placentas seems to be harmless and may very well benefit her and her pups.