Whether you are looking forward to the patter of tiny paws or have the unwelcome suspicion that your bitch may have been visited by the dastardly dog next door, you need to be prepared.
How long are dogs pregnant for? In comparison to humans, dogs have a very short pregnancy, only around 2 months. Although pregnancy in dogs can vary anywhere between 57 to 65 days, the average term is 63 days.
The Heat Cycle
Around every 6 months, a female dog will come ‘into season.’ This is a fertile period that lasts up to 3 weeks and is also known as ‘being in heat.’ If you want to avoid a pregnant dog, it is advisable to walk your dog on a lead and, if possible, away from busy areas during this time.
If your bitch is not ready to mate and is approached by an interested dog, she is more likely to snap and get into scuffles. Even if your bitch has ‘tied’ with a dog, don’t panic. She may not be pregnant. There are three stages of the Heat cycle, and it’s the second stage that your bitch will be fertile. The heat cycle is divided into 3 stages and lasts on average 21 days.
Pro-estrus
In this first stage of the cycle, you may notice small amounts of tan to red blood on your dog’s bedding. This cycle lasts between 7-10 days, and you may find your dog cleaning herself more often than before. If male dogs are close during this stage, they will be very interested in your bitch, but she will not be interested in them.
Estrus phase
This stage lasts around 4-13 days and is when your bitch will be fertile. Her bleeding will stop but may be replaced by a yellowish discharge. She will be more tolerant of a male dog’s interest, so if you want to avoid unwanted pregnancy, this is the time to be extra vigilant.
Diestrus
In the final stage, your bitch will become disinterested in mating again and is unlikely to fall pregnant even if mounted by a dog as she will no longer be fertile.
How can I tell if my dog is pregnant?
Unfortunately, you may not notice any obvious signs of pregnancy initially, and there isn’t a home pregnancy test for your dog. So here are a few things to look out for if you suspect there is a chance that your dog is expecting,
- Don’t expect many changes in the first month after mating, although there may be a slight mucus discharge.
- Your dog may experience the doggy equivalent of morning sickness
- Loss of appetite
- Increase in appetite
- Fatigue
- After thirty days from first mating, your dog’s teats may become more prominent or change color.
- Weight gain
- Swollen tummy around the forty-day mark
- Personality changes
If you suspect your dog is pregnant, your vet can confirm it after around 20-25 days with either a pregnancy test that measures the level of the hormone relaxin produced by the placenta or by carrying out an ultrasound.
After a month, your veterinarian may be able to feel and count the number of puppies with a physical examination. Never be tempted to try and do this yourself, and be advised that the count isn’t always accurate!
How do I know when my dog is due?
You may be wondering why there is such a difference in range for the pregnancy length. Several factors can affect the due date in pregnant dogs. Firstly, your dog’s due date is calculated from the day she ovulates, not from the day she breeds. If you have not planned to breed your bitch you may not know when that was.
Litter size
If your dog is carrying a small litter, she has the potential to remain pregnant for slightly longer just because there is more room in the uterus. On the other hand, if the litter size is large, the puppies may be delivered earlier as they run out of room sooner.
Lineage
If you know the history of your dog and your dog’s lineage, it can provide useful clues as to how long your dog’s pregnancy may last. However, this isn’t likely if you don’t have a pedigree dog or if the breeder hasn’t kept birth records for every litter they have produced.
Age and health of your dog
The optimal age for breeding is between 2 and 5 years. However, this depends on breed type, so it is worth getting expert advice. Breeding a dog that is too young or too old can affect pregnancy term. If you are unsure of any of the information that may help you determine an exact date, then work to the average of 63 days.
Dog pregnancy – Week by week
Week one
Your bitch may suffer signs of morning sickness. You may also notice a light pink discharge that is no call for concern.
Week two
The newly fertilized cells begin to grow and separate, forming embryos. The embryos begin to travel from high in the uterus, where they were formed down to the uterine horns protected by uterine fluid.
Week three
The embryos begin to implant themselves into the uterine lining. The fetuses are less than a centimeter long and will be supplied with all the vital nutrients they need.
Week four
The growing embryos have now developed faces, eyes, ears, and spine. This week is considered one of the most formative as the puppies are most vulnerable to damage.
Week five
Now officially classified as fetuses, your puppy’s growth will begin to speed up. Toes, claws, and whiskers begin to grow, and they will develop into female or male pups. Amniotic fluid increases, and your dog’s weight will increase noticeably. If an ultrasound is being done, then week 5 is usually when it is carried out.
Week six
You may begin to notice your dog will start to look pregnant. Your dog’s belly will start to bulge and her appetite will grow. The puppies will begin to develop their unique markings and colorings.
Week seven
Your dog may begin to shed hair on her belly in preparation for the birth. Meanwhile, the puppies are growing theirs and will appear almost fully formed.
Week eight
Be prepared. Your dog may start to ‘nest,’ seeking out a comfortable place where she won’t be disturbed. She may also begin to produce colostrum, a yellowish milky fluid before her true milk, in anticipation of the birth.
Week nine
Your dog’s appetite may drop, and she may become quieter than usual. If you are comfortable monitoring your dog’s temperature, then a drop of one degree below average signals the arrival of puppies within 24 hours – 48 hours.
What can I do to help?
Although most dogs are quite capable of producing puppies without help, here are a few things to consider that will ensure your bitch has the most comfortable pregnancy and delivery possible.
A well-balanced diet
If your dog already has a well-balanced diet, there should be no need to introduce supplements. She will need more food than usual but may be unable to eat it in one sitting. Offer her smaller, more frequent meals, and don’t be surprised if her food consumption doubles.
Whelping nest
Provide a nest with clean linens or towels in a quiet place in the house. A warm room ideally between 24-25 degrees as puppies cannot regulate their body temperature in the first week.
The earlier you create a safe place for her, the more she will feel relaxed. It’s important to keep this area clean both before and after the puppies have arrived.
Worming
Worming your dog is important as it ensures that she will not infect the newborn puppies. However, this should not be done in the first stages of pregnancy rather at the 4 and 6-week stages.
Veterinary Help
Your dog must go for checkups. Your Veterinarian can help with any concerns you may have and check on your dog’s health. Make sure their number is on hand.
Labour and birth
Around a day before going into labor, your bitch may become restless. She may go off her food and become interested in the nest that you have provided. She may pant more than usual, and you may notice her producing a clear mucous discharge. Active contractions are next and vary from dog to dog.
Some dogs may pace while others remain calm and relaxed. Unless your dog seems highly distressed, allow her to make herself comfortable in whatever way she chooses. A thick, mucus-like discharge colored red is normal as the bitch strains.
The first puppy should be born within one to two hours of the start of the contractions. The puppies may be born completely covered by their placental membranes, but the mother should naturally remove these by licking the puppies. You can do this yourself if she does not simply remove the membrane from the puppy’s mouth and nose using disposable gloves and clean hands.
There is usually a gap between puppies while the mother rests, and this can be anything from fifteen minutes up to two hours. It is normal for some puppies (around 40%) to be delivered back feet first and for the mother to eat the placenta as soon as it is expelled.
Check on your dog every fifteen minutes to make sure that the process is going smoothly.
When to Call the Veterinarian
Although most dogs manage perfectly well without interference, there are occasions when you should call your Vet.
- If your dog’s gestation period lasts more than 65 days
- Your dog’s been in labor for more than 2 hours without producing a pup
- It’s been more than 2.5 hours since the last puppy, but there are still more to come
- A puppy becomes stuck in the birth canal, and your dog is unable to give birth
- A greenish discharge appears before or after 12 hours after giving birth
- Your dog experiences tremors, vomiting, or excessive panting
Post-Natal Care
Even if everything went smoothly, it’s important to get both the mother and puppies checked by your Vet, ideally within a day or two of delivery.
There is very little for you to do once the mother is nursing her pups which she will usually do an hour or two after giving birth. She will continue to discharge for a few weeks after giving birth, called ‘lochia.’ Lochia is normal and is the cell debris and blood after giving birth. It should appear to be greenish-black, brown, or brick red and should be almost odorless. If it is unpleasant smelling or changes color to a dull grey, then consult your Vet.
Hygiene is essential as it will reduce the risk of infection and bacterial growth. Gently clean the mother with a wet cloth and make sure the bedding is changed frequently. Although she may be tired immediately after giving birth and sleep for several hours, she should be bright and interested in her pups when she wakes.
Her food intake will still be high, and it is a good idea to feed several times a day rather than just once or twice a day. Whelping takes a lot of energy from your dog, so monitor her and her puppies closely for the first ten days.
Potential Issues
Although mild diarrhea, loss of appetite, and panting are all common complaints that your dog may experience after giving birth, there are certain things you need to be aware of and get checked as soon as possible.
Metritis
Metritis is an inflammation of the womb. If your dog is suffering from loss of appetite, vomiting, fever, dehydration, increased heart rate, dehydration, and panting. She needs to be seen by a vet as she will need antibiotics. This condition can also affect the puppies as they may ingest toxins through the milk.
Mastitis
Mastitis is an infection of the mammary glands and will be very uncomfortable for your dog. If she is experiencing a fever or her milk is off-color, then she should be seen by your Vet. Mastitis can prevent your dog from feeding the pups because it is painful to have them, nurse. Again antibiotics will need to be taken.
Eclampsia / Hypocalcaemia / Milk Fever
Low calcium levels cause eclampsia. Some dogs with milk fever lack the ability to move calcium into their milk without using their own blood levels of the mineral, therefore, depleting their own supplies. Eclampsia typically occurs between one to three weeks after giving birth and is potentially life-threatening. If you notice that your dog is restless, walks with a stiff gait, or wobbles and appears disorientated, then seek veterinary help immediately. Death can occur rapidly, so be vigilant.
How long are dogs pregnant for?
Most dogs are capable of producing a healthy litter of puppies without too much help from us. Small breed dogs with large litters may need a bit more support and monitoring than most, but if you have a good relationship with your Vet, any potential problems can be dealt with quickly.
So what about the future? Whether you decide to keep the puppies or find loving homes, they should stay with you for at least eight weeks and ideally ten. They will need to be treated for worms and fleas and have their initial vaccinations before moving on.
If the pregnancy was unplanned, you might want to consider having your bitch spayed to prevent any future pups. If it was a planned pregnancy and a happy event, enjoy the puppies while you can and ensure that they get the best start to their lives with early socialization to novel experiences.