Breast care

Question
My golden retriever gave birth to 7 beautiful puppies last Friday, today i noticed she was digging a hole in my backyard and splashing the soil on her (under body), not sure what it means? is it ok for me to bathe her? do her breast need any special care? thanks for your help

Answer
Hi Andrea. You can give her a bath. Just use plain warm water for now because the pups are nursing. As for the breasts, don't use any soap on them at all, and make sure you keep them clean. YOu can use a warm wet wash cloth for them. Keep a good eye on her breasts for any red, hot spots, as this could be the start of mastitis.