The essentials
- Dogs are typically pregnant for 63 days, or around two months — The gestation period ranges between 58 and 68 days depending on your dog’s size and breed.
- Litter size will vary — Nutrition, age of the parents, when the birth takes place, and the genetics of the dogs all determine the size of the litter.
- Better safe than sorry — Overprepare when it comes to planning for your dog’s delivery. If something seems off, take her to the vet immediately.
Are you looking into breeding your dog? Maybe you’ve noticed that she’s looking rounder around her midsection? Whether you’re planning on expanding your furry family on purpose, or have just discovered your pup is pregnant, the best thing you can do for your dog is to learn what to expect each step of the way.
Your week-by-week guide to your dog’s pregnancy
Pregnancy in dogs lasts between 58 and 68 days. This time frame varies for a few reasons. First, it can be difficult to identify the exact day of conception. Conception doesn’t necessarily occur on the same day as mating. In fact, a male dog’s sperm can live for up to 48 hours inside the female dog. Dogs can also be impregnated by multiple males during the same heat cycle. Regardless of the exact timeframe of your dog’s pregnancy, they will go through the four stages: the heat cycle, the impregnation, the pregnancy, and the labor and delivery. As your dog makes her way through these stages, you’ll see her change week by week.
Week one: your dog breeds with one (or more) male dogs
Whether planned or unplanned, your female dog has mated with a male dog during her heat cycle (usually ten to twenty days). Her egg(s) can be fertilized within a week of mating.
During a female dog’s heat cycle, they have several fertile eggs. If your dog mates with multiple males, it’s possible for her to get pregnant by more than one of them at the same time.
Week two: fertilization occurs
In the second week, the embryos attach themselves to the uterine lining. There won’t be many, if any, physical symptoms that will tell you your dog is pregnant. Limited signs include:
- Vomiting
- Reduced energy
- Reduced appetite
However, as these are common symptoms for a variety of conditions, they are not a reliable way to determine that your dog is pregnant.
Week three: embryo development begins
As development begins, your dog’s nutrition becomes more important, both for her well-being and the embryos growing inside her. These changes may cause your dog to experience:
- Short bouts of morning sickness
- An increase or decrease in energy level
- Changes in appetite
Week four: vet check
At four weeks, your vet should be able to confirm whether or not your dog is pregnant. To do so, your veterinarian can examine your dog’s abdomen to feel your dog’s embryos, or conduct an ultrasound to detect the heartbeats. At this point, an ultrasound can help determine if the unborn puppies are viable.
Once your vet has confirmed, it’s full speed ahead. Increase your dog’s food intake to help keep up with the developing embryos and her growing appetite. Multiple small meals throughout the day will help your dog get the nutrition she needs while keeping her food down. Your vet may recommend prenatal supplements for your dog, but most dog food can provide the nutrition your dog (and her embryos need).
Week five: from embryo to fetus
Your dog has officially entered her second trimester. Fetuses will develop faster at this point, and as their organs grow, so will mom. The weight of the fetuses will increase by 75%. At the 37-45 day mark, an ultrasound can help to determine the size of the litter so you can have an idea of how many puppies to expect.
Signs your dog is in her fifth week include when:
- Her belly becomes noticeably larger
- She becomes clingy
- She shows more affection
- She has decreased energy
- She has an increased appetite
- She has vulva discharge
Week six: full swing
The third trimester has begun, and since litter size varies, so will your dog’s discomfort. Rather than feeding your dog one or two big meals a day, switch to a few small ones throughout the day. This will help since her appetite may go down, but she needs more nutrients now than she did previously. Things to look out for in the sixth week are similar to week five, except more extreme:
- Belly becomes more rigid
- Teats become swollen and darker in color
- Appetite may decrease
- Energy may decrease
Dr. Dwight AlleyneDuring this week of pregnancy, it is important to limit stress with a pregnant dog to avoid complications. In addition to increasing the frequency of feeding, some dogs will benefit from feeding higher calorie foods such as puppy food to help keep up with the energy needed to maintain pregnancy.
Week seven: nesting behavior begins
To help momma feel more comfortable, give her access to a whelping box where she can put her nesting tendencies to work. This should be in a quiet space that she can have all to herself and feel safe, and will be her space for a few weeks. Make an appointment with your vet to deworm mom, which will help protect the fetuses.
In choosing a space for your dog’s whelping box, select an area that’s:
- Easy to clean
- Warm
- Away from any chaos in your house
- Quiet
Week eight: fetuses are fully formed
Your vet may do an X-ray to help determine just how many puppies you should be expecting. This will help you know if there are still more fetuses you should be expecting as your dog is giving birth. Beginning in week eight, limit any strenuous activity, which can cause your dog to go into labor prematurely. Should you need to transport your dog, we recommend having someone ride in the backseat with her to ensure she remains calm. She will already be antsy and displaying nesting behavior, so the more comfortable and confident you can keep mom, the better off she and the puppies will be. As labor is right around the corner, keep an eye on your dog for:
- Lactating
- Anxiety and pacing
- Hair loss on belly
Image courtesy of Thompson Veterinary Clinic
Week nine: welcome puppies
Now that you’ve made sure your dog has a safe and comfortable place to call her whelping box, the only thing you can do is wait and keep her comfortable. Line the whelping box with newspaper to keep her off the cold floor. Take your dog’s temperature three times a day, as subtle changes can indicate the start of labor:
- One-degree change in your dog’s body temperature
- Pacing restlessly and panting
- Digging
- Loss of appetite
Caring for a pregnant dog
When you have a pregnant dog in your care, it’s essential to keep them and the new puppies safe and healthy before, during, and after whelping to limit complications and ensure a successful birth.
Keep proper nutrition in mind
Good nutrition lays the foundation for a successful pregnancy and birth, and this is especially necessary to address before pregnancy if your female dog is overweight or obese. Weight problems can make whelping more difficult and result in decreased milk production.
👉 Weight loss is not recommended during pregnancy. Underfeeding your dog to help her lose weight can result in abnormal development, stillbirth, and other unfavorable outcomes. A general rule of thumb is to feed your pregnant dog the nutritional recommendations of a high-quality young adult dog during the first two trimesters before switching to a more digestible product geared for puppy growth and development in the final trimester.
Keep up with your regular care
Experts recommend non-strenuous daily exercise, such as a short walk or a light game of fetch, for pregnant dogs to avoid lethargy, especially if the dog is overweight or obese. You’ll also need to keep up with your dog’s deworming, heartworm prevention, flea control, and other general care.
👉 Costs associated with pregnancy typically aren’t covered by pet insurance, but it’s a good idea to explore coverage if your family is expecting new arrivals. More dogs may mean more expenses — find the right pet insurance for you based on your pet’s breed, age, and location.
Prepare for labor and delivery
Plan for the whelping process by learning about the various stages of labor and delivery, as well as what to do if potential complications arise. You’ll also want your dog to become familiar with the area where she will give birth before labor, as unfamiliar surroundings may adversely affect maternal instincts. While most dogs go into labor and can give birth naturally, others, such as those in the Bulldog family, are unable to do so and may require a cesarean surgery.
Whelping can be divided into three stages, and it may take anywhere from one to 24 hours. Potential complications, such as hyperglycemia, may lengthen or shorten the labor and delivery process.
- Stage 1. In the first 12 to 24 hours, your female dog’s cervix will begin to dilate and they will have contractions, though these will not become visible until the second stage. It’s common for dogs in this stage to appear restless and refuse to eat. You may also notice heavy panting, vomiting, and clear vaginal discharge.
- Stage 2. During stage two, which can potentially last up to 24 hours, your dog’s contractions will become visible and she will deliver the puppies in intervals of approximately one to two hours. Your dog may alternate between stages two and three, the latter of which involves the delivery of each puppy’s placenta.
- Stage 3. During the third stage, your dog will deliver each puppy’s placenta, sometimes together with the puppy and sometimes separately.
While there are various ways in which each dog will go through labor, there are certain signs that should act as red flags that something is wrong:
- Your dog has taken a break for longer than four hours
- Your dog has been straining for longer than 30 minutes
- Your dog appears to be in extreme pain
- There are fetal membranes in the birth canal without a puppy being produced in over 30 minutes
- All planned for puppies haven’t been born within 24 hours
👉 Pet insurance may cover some pregnancy-related complications, such as an emergency C-section, which can cost up to $4,000. Read your pet insurance policy so you know what is and isn’t covered.
Common complications during canine labor and delivery
Dystocia, or abnormal labor and delivery, can occur when contractions are either too weak or infrequent for adequate delivery and may lead to prolonged labor. Monitor your dog carefully; any sign for concern should prompt an emergency trip to the vet. To treat dystocia, a veterinarian may inject calcium or oxytocin to help weak uterine contractions. In some cases, a cesarean section may be performed to remove the babies. Other complications include stillbirth or maternal distress.
Caring for your dog after they give birth
Giving birth is no easy feat, and it’s normal for it to take a toll on your dog. Though many dogs have the instinct needed to care for their new puppies, there’s nothing wrong with helping your new momma through the first few weeks post-birth.
- Make sure she’s caring for herself. If your momma dog is dehydrated or undernourished, she can’t provide appropriately for her puppies. Ensure your dog is eating and drinking well, and keep her clean.
- Keep the new family confined. This will help encourage nursing, as well as minimize stress from other stimuli in the home.
- Separate if necessary. If your momma dog tries to injure her puppies or doesn’t let them nurse, you may need to bottle-feed the puppies with pre-approved powdered milk.
Make sure to consult your veterinarian before bottle feeding, especially if the mother dog has a fever, loss of appetite, lack of interest in the puppies, foul-smelling vaginal discharge, or decreased milk production. Common health problems associated with mothers after whelping include metritis, eclampsia, and mastitis.
Welcoming new puppies into the world can be an exciting time for you and your dog. Whether it’s your first time, or your dog’s first litter, air on the side of caution. If something seems off during the pregnancy or labor, don’t wait to figure out what. A trip to the vet (or the emergency vet) could not only save the puppies’ lives, but your dog’s as well.
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Frequently asked questions
How many months are dogs usually pregnant?
Dogs are typically pregnant for approximately two months, but it can be difficult to predict the delivery time if the breeding date doesn’t match the date of conception. Pregnancy length may also vary depending on breed and litter size.
How long does it take for a dog’s body to return to normal after pregnancy?
It may take several weeks for a dog’s body to return to their typical size before the first heat cycle.
How can you tell if a dog is pregnant?
Increased appetite, lactation, weight gain, or swelling of the belly are all signs that your dog may be pregnant. However, some dogs can have a false pregnancy where they have all the classic signs of pregnancy but are not pregnant. To confirm pregnancy, your vet will likely conduct one or more of the following procedures: abdominal palpation, an abdominal ultrasound, X-rays, or hormone tests.
When should I call my vet during the labor process?
If labor goes longer than 24 hours without any pushing, call your vet as they may need to intervene. You should also reach out if you notice your dog is straining between deliveries with prolonged intervals of more than two to four hours between births. Remember to conduct routine veterinary visits throughout the pregnancy.
How early can a dog have puppies safely?
While most dogs can get pregnant when they’re 6 to 12 months old, it’s better to wait until your dog is 2 or 3 years old to breed them. This will give your dog a chance to mature — physically, sexually, and mentally. Breeding your dog younger than this may mean she’s not able to handle the stress of nursing and raising puppies, even if her body is physically able to do so.
