If your dog is going to give birth to a wiggly litter of pups, you probably have a lot of questions! How long are dogs pregnant? How often should you take your dog to the vet? And what else can you do, from daily exercise to finding a comfortable bed to choosing the right pet insurance, to ensure that your dog will be comfortable and healthy throughout the process?
This guide will have all the info about dog pregnancy that you need to be able to pamper and prep the doggy mom-to-be!
How long are dogs pregnant?
In general, dog pregnancy lasts between 58 and 68 days, or about nine weeks. On average, dogs are pregnant for about 63 days.
It’s a pretty short gestation period! And that means that your dog is going to go through some major changes, very quickly.
Does the question of “how long are dogs pregnant?” depend on the breed?
Yes! Because of differences in size, breed has an impact not only on the question, “how long are dogs pregnant?” but also on what the pregnancy will look like.
Small dog breeds, for instance, tend to have slightly longer pregnancies with fewer puppies. This might be due to the fact that there’s more room in the uterus for the puppies to grow.
That said, the differences in gestation length are very small. A Chihuahua, for example, might be pregnant for about 65 days while a Great Dane is pregnant for 59.
On the other hand, litter size differences are quite large. Very small dogs typically give birth to a litter of 4 or 5 puppies, while larger dog breeds can average litter sizes of 7 to 10. It’s not unheard of that a giant dog breed can have up to 15 puppies in a single litter!
Breed can also affect how a dog experiences delivery. French Bulldogs and other brachycephalic dogs tend to be at higher risk for birthing difficulties, and should be more closely monitored by a medical professional.
How long are dogs pregnant before a vet can confirm the pregnancy?
As soon as your dog has conceived, you might be anxious to know whether she’s really pregnant or not. But, there’s no immediate way of knowing whether she’s begun a pregnancy. You’ll have to wait at least three weeks to know for sure.
Canine pregnancy tests, which are done with a blood sample, can be accurate as early as three weeks after conception. What your vet is looking for is an increased level of the hormone relaxin, which comes from the placenta. If relaxin is present, then there’s an excellent chance that her body is already caring for tiny embryos.
The relaxin test is an effective way for your vet to rule out the possibility of a pseudopregnancy. Often, in the months after a dog has been in heat, she will show signs that she is pregnant (we’ll cover some of those in the next section) whether or not she has actually conceived. Because relaxin in dogs comes almost exclusively from the placenta, instead of the uterus, this type of pregnancy test can differentiate between a pseudopregnancy and a real one.
At this point, your vet may also be able to do a physical test, called a palpation, to see whether foetuses are present. This is done with a simple touch test, but does require medical training to effectively gauge whether your dog is pregnant. Anyone who is not a vet should not perform this type of exam, as they could inadvertently injure the dog or her developing pups.
A week after a canine pregnancy test can be conducted, a vet will be able to hear heartbeats via ultrasound, and you can be 100% sure that your dog is pregnant.
What are the different milestones of dog pregnancy?
As we mentioned, the entire gestation period is very short. Still, the pregnancy can be broken down into three trimesters. Each trimester has some key milestones that Dog Owners should be aware of:
- Trimester one: This is the first three weeks of pregnancy, when the embryos are just barely beginning to develop. You may not notice obvious signs of pregnancy until the end of this trimester, but your dog will undergo some subtle changes as her body prepares for the rest of the pregnancy.
- Trimester two: Weeks four through six are marked by major physical and behavioural changes in a pregnant dog. At this point, the foetuses will develop organs and grow rapidly, and mom will start to show a larger belly and mammary glands.
- Trimester three: In the final trimester, your dog will be gearing up for delivery, and her pups will be almost fully formed. The foetuses will also move around in preparation for labour, and your vet can do a final x-ray to determine how many puppies are in the litter. An x-ray can also help your vet better predict the expected delivery date.
How long are dogs pregnant before they experience behavioural changes?
Within the first few weeks of pregnancy, you may not notice a change in your dog. But, as soon as the embryos begin to develop within the uterine wall—around three weeks—there will be some behavioural changes, including:
- An increase in appetite. Not only is your dog undergoing significant biological changes, but she’s also providing sustenance for a whole crew of puppies! So, it’s important to get her on a meal plan for pregnant dogs of her size.
- Some morning sickness or nausea. Luckily, pregnancy-related nausea doesn’t last long for dogs, only appearing for a couple of days during the transition from the first and second trimester. If your dog continues to feel nauseous or reject food, make sure to check with your vet.
Once your dog has reached the second trimester, she will start to exhibit other behavioural changes, such as:
- Tiredness. The second trimester is a time of astounding growth of the foetuses, and your dog will respond about how you might expect! She will probably be quite tired and slow—that’s normal, and you can go out of your way to make sure she’s comfortable.
- Affectionate behaviours. You may notice that your dog will seek out comfort and connection more once she’s reached the second trimester.
In the last trimester, the upcoming delivery will probably be the only thing on her, and your, mind! Don’t be surprised if you notice the following behavioural changes in this stage:
- Nesting. When a dog knows that she will give birth soon, she’ll start to seek out the safest place to have her litter. This might mean that she engages in nesting behaviour, sometimes dragging all of your pillows to the closet or shredding up her bedding to create a more intentional nest. You might help her at this stage by providing her with nesting materials and a quiet area where she can build her den.
- Isolation behaviours. Not all dogs will want to isolate in the days before they give birth, but don’t be offended if your dog suddenly wants nothing to do with you. Her instincts are telling her that she should be alone for the delivery of her pups, and it’s best to give her her space.
- Aggression towards other dogs. If you live in a multi-pet household, it will be important to proactively keep the peace during this crucial time. Pregnant dogs can become aggressive the closer they get to delivery, which is likely a way for them to establish a sense of distance and safety. In fact, it’s recommended that pregnant dogs not be in contact with any other dogs for three weeks before and after their expected delivery date as a way to keep the puppies safe from transmissible diseases. So, avoid the aggression and the health risk by keeping your pregnant dog away from other animals.
- Restlessness or anxiety. In addition to isolation behaviours, pregnant dogs may also start to pace and show other signs of anxiety. This is also normal, and unless paired with other symptoms, shouldn’t be taken as a sign that anything is wrong.
What kind of nutrition is best for a pregnant dog?
Your pupper is going to go through a lot of changes over the next nine weeks, and she’s going to need the energy to stay strong and healthy.
Pregnant dogs are often recommended puppy food for at least part of the pregnancy, as it is high in fat calories to promote growth.
While your dog may be used to eating on a schedule normally, your vet may recommend that she have access to food throughout the day. Keep in mind that this may mean that her potty break schedule changes during pregnancy, and she may require more walks than usual.
As always, your dog should have constant access to fresh water.
How long are dogs pregnant before they need to change their exercise routine?
As you might have guessed from your dog’s expected behavioural changes, they’re going to need an adjustment to their exercise routine. And again, it’s helpful to base this on each trimester.
In the first trimester, you might not see too much of a change in your dog’s energy levels and exercise needs. If she’s as energetic as ever, there’s no reason to lay off her regular exercise routine. Of course, this depends on the dog. Some pregnant dogs do start to feel lethargic in the early days of pregnancy, so it will be important to decrease the intensity of their exercise.
In the second trimester, it’s a good idea to stop rigorous forms of exercise like long runs and roughhousing at the park. But, dogs at this stage in their pregnancy shouldn’t stop exercising altogether. Instead, it’s best to swap out their high-intensity activities with low-impact ones, like walking, swimming, and slow hiking. Again, it’s important to follow the lead of the mom-to-be, here. If she’s resisting your walking speed or trying to go back home, it means she’s tired.
Once your dog has reached the third trimester, she’s likely going to be pretty slow and not up for her regular activities. A few leisurely walks around the block or sniff-arounds in the backyard should be enough for her to stretch her legs and ward off muscle soreness.
One thing to note about exercise in any trimester is that some of their activities should take place outside. Fresh air is a great way to stimulate your dog’s senses, and will help her feel calmer and more content as she goes through her pregnancy. The only exception is within three weeks of the delivery date, when your pup should be separated completely from other dogs.
How often should you go to the vet while your dog is pregnant?
In general, dogs experience low risk pregnancies that don’t necessitate frequent visits to the vet. That said, there are a few times when a visit to the vet will be necessary and helpful:
- If possible, before your dog gets pregnant. If your dog’s pregnancy is planned, getting her to a vet before conception is a great idea. That way, she can receive her vaccination in order to pass on immunity to her pups.
- Within the first three or four weeks that you suspect your dog is pregnant. As we mentioned earlier, by the end of the first month, your vet will be able to confirm whether your dog is pregnant either by a physical exam, blood test or ultrasound.
- Around the 45 day mark. Between 45 and 55 days, your vet will be able to conduct an x-ray to know exactly how many puppies are in the litter as well as the expected delivery date.
- Any time that there are changes in your dog’s health. If your dog shows symptoms that are not a normal part of pregnancy, it’s a good idea to get your dog to the vet.
- Any other time as recommended by your vet. If your vet determines that your pup should be more closely monitored during their pregnancy, you may have a few more visits during the next nine weeks. Complicated pregnancies are not common in dogs, but some health conditions including obesity can increase the risk for a more difficult pregnancy.
As you can see, you’re going to have more contact with your vet over the next nine weeks than normal. But it’s important to be aware that many pet insurance plans do not cover pregnancy. Make sure to check with your pet coverage plan to help budget for the costs of your dog’s pregnancy.
Should your dog deliver at home?
In general, vets recommend that your dog delivers her litter at home.
This might not be the case for dogs who are at highest risk during delivery, such as French Bulldogs. Your vet may recommend an in-clinic delivery for certain dog breeds, as a cesarean section may be the most appropriate option.
But in most cases, your dog can go through the whelping process at home. She’ll be most comfortable there, and it will be easier to keep her away from other dogs who might expose her to diseases.
And don’t worry! Once your dog goes into labour, she’s not going to need much help. But, you will want to make the following preparations:
- Provide her with a whelping box. A whelping box, also called a nesting box, is a specially designed dog bed for whelping, or delivery. It has raised edges to make your dog feel safe, and should be introduced well before delivery so your dog can start nesting early. Whelping boxes are also a good way to keep the puppies warm and contained after birth. Make sure the whelping box is located in a quiet, out-of-the-way part of your home where your pregnant dog will feel the most secure.
- Set aside the materials she can use to build a nest in her whelping box. Whatever fabric and clothing you provide for your dog during labour will be permanently stained, so gather up some old sheets and rags that you won’t mind discarding after the delivery. Set these aside for when your dog goes into labour.
- Arrange to have contact with your vet. Even though your dog’s delivery will be a pretty hands-off process, you still need to be there to monitor the delivery progress and make sure there are no red flags. If there is a two hour gap between puppies, for instance, or the labour lasts longer than 24 hour hours, you will need to call your vet. So make sure to arrange 24-hour contact information ahead of time for emergency situations.
- Stay up to date on your dog’s deworming medication. Deworming mom while she’s gearing up for delivery is a good way to keep the puppies safe, too. Your vet will likely recommend that she take a deworming medication in the days leading up to the delivery, as well as during the nursing period.
What do the early stages of labour look like?
The closer that your dog gets to their expected delivery date, you can start familiarising yourself with the signs of labour.
Here are a few signals that your pregnant dog is in the first stage of labour:
- She’s nervous. When your dog goes into labour, your first indication will be a pretty drastic emotional shift. Pregnant dogs tend to start pacing, refusing food, and exhibiting signs of stress and restlessness. This is a good time to encourage your dog to get into her whelping box.
- She’s nesting like crazy. Your dog will also probably start sniffing around for pieces of cloth that she can use to build a comfortable nest. You can pull out the fabrics that you set aside so that she can start nesting.
- She eventually starts to settle into her whelping box. Eventually, your dog will stay in her whelping box and prepare for the delivery
- She will begin panting heavily and having contractions. Over the course of about 6 to 8 hours, your dog will have contractions that grow in intensity. She may also have some clear discharge.
By the time that she reaches the second stage of labour, things should start moving fairly quickly. Your dog will experience a few very strong contractions, and should start whelping within fifteen to twenty minutes of pushing. You’ll see the puppies born in a sac of fluid, which mum will know to break so that the puppies can breathe. If she doesn’t break the sac within 30 seconds of birth, you’ll need to do it yourself with gloved hands.
The majority of puppies will be delivered snout first, but don’t be alarmed if they’re backwards. Unless a puppy seems to be stuck, both front- and back-facing deliveries are normal.
Once all of the puppies have been delivered, your dog will go into the third and final stage of labour. In this stage, she will deliver all remaining placenta and fluid, and start cleaning and guiding her puppies to begin nursing.
Remember that at any point during the process, you should be ready to call a vet if you’re concerned about her progress. Large gaps between puppies, non-clear discharge, and a delivery lasting longer than 24 hours are all signs that you should call your vet.
Desexing your dog after birth
Once your dog has had their litter of puppies, you might decide to desex your dog to prevent future pregnancies. Vets can do this within a few weeks after the current litter has stopped nursing.
Keep in mind that dogs can still get pregnant when they are nursing a litter. So, if you’re planning on desexing your dog, you will want to keep an eye on them before the procedure.
Clearly, the question, “How long are dogs pregnant,” is just the beginning!
In this article, we started with a very simple question: How long are dogs pregnant?
But there’s a lot more to know about dog pregnancy than the average length of time! Within those nine weeks, there are so many things to consider, including exercise, diet, behavioural changes, and of course, preparation for the delivery.
If your dog is pregnant or you’re considering a pregnancy for your dog, make sure to check in with your trusted pet coverage provider and vet to come up with a plan for your pup and her puppies!
Do you have more questions along the lines of “how long are dogs pregnant?” Let us know in the comments!
