Dog Pregnancy

 

Dogs have a strong breeding drive – as anyone who’s owned an unspayed female dog will know. Here, I’ll go over everything involved in dog pregnancy (aside from conception!) starting from the bitch in heat, through when the puppies can be adopted out.

Dog Pregnancy – Bitch in Heat

First, you don’t want to breed a female during her first heat, or anyway, not until after she is a year old. Allowing dog pregnancy before this, will result in stunted growth.

A bitch will go in heat one or two times per year. Heat lasts about three weeks, and during this time a bitch can be bred with more than one male. Heats can be anywhere between six and nine months apart.

Dog Pregnancy – Detecting the Heat

You’ll know your dog is in heat when she starts having bloody discharges. At this time, she’s not fertile yet, but she will start attracting male dogs due to the scent chemicals. About six or eleven days later, your bitch will start to “notice” these male dogs in a major way. After this point, your bitch will be fertile.

During that second stage, you’ll notice a change in your female dog’s posture – her posture will generally invite sex. The color of her bloody discharges will change from pink to gold. Her vulva, which has been swollen up til now, will be less hard, but still swollen. This stage usually lasts between five and nine days, but can go on for up to three weeks. After this stage is over, the bitch will no longer invite males for sex.

Dog Pregnancy – Detecting the Pregnancy

 

For most dogs, pregnancy brings a lower appetite and lower activity levels. Her nipples will grow. She will have some changes in behavior, varying between wanting more attention and affection, and wanting to be left alone. Her breasts will begin to swell, making room for milk production.

Dog pregnancy lasts about two months. At about the end of the first month, her appetite will return and she will begin gaining weight quickly. Her belly will become firm to the touch, and will broaden. Smaller breeds will seem to grow much more than larger breeds.

At this point, you need to provide a space for her to nest in. If you don’t, then dog pregnancy instincts will take over, and she may show destructive behaviors as she creates her own nest. A large box with old blankets or scraps of cloth, is perfect.

Near the end of the second month, you’ll be able to feel puppies moving around inside your pregnant dog – this means they’re getting ready for the birthing position. Soon before labor, her nipples will begin leaking milk.

Dog Pregnancy – In Labor

You should monitor your bitch’s temperature about 3-4 times a day. A normal dog body temperature is between 101 and 102 degrees Fahrenheit. When labor is about to begin, her temperature will drop just below 100 degrees and stay there for a full 12 hours. That means the puppies will come in the next 24 hours.

Labor itself has three stages, with the third stage repeating during each puppy’s birth:

1. During the first stage of your pregnant dog’s labor, she’s going to be anxious and restless. She may avoid people, and will avoid all food. Make sure she has a chance to go potty at this point.
2. In the second stage, contractions will begin. A green fluid sac will emerge from the vulva.
   1. The puppies will “crown” either butt-first or head-first, and either position is normal.
   2. Puppies may be quiet and still, and the mama might get up and move – also normal.
   3. Mama will free the pup from the sac and chew off the umbilical cord – also normal.
   4. If the sac doesn’t break open during delivery, you should help remove it ASAP.
   5. Keep at least a dozen or so wet, warm, washcloths nearby – the more the better.
   6. Use a fresh one to help clean each puppy. Once cleaned, keep stroking the puppies with the cloth, to stimulate their blood circulation. This should make the puppies wiggle and cry – that’s good.
   7. If mama is having trouble pushing out a puppy, use a clean cloth, grasp the puppy carefully but firmly, and pull slowly, working along with mama’s pushing. Be very careful, and if you have any doubts, call a veterinarian to walk you through it or come assist.
3. Stage three – mama will rest. The more puppies that are born without a long pause, the longer it will take for her contractions to fade. If there are more puppies to birth, labor will usually resume after a couple hours of rest. It can sometimes take around 36 hours to birth all the puppies.

Now, many people will say that you should just leave the room and let your pregnant dog do everything herself. I can’t argue with that, but I can say that I’ve helped dog pregnancy three different times. One time we almost lost a puppy, and one time we did lose a puppy. It’s a private decision.

Dog Pregnancy – When Should a Veterinarian Be Called?

Call a veterinarian during dog pregnancy if any of these things happens:

• If delivery doesn’t start soon after the discharge of green-black fluid at the beginning of stage 2.
• Your dog is in labor for two hours and no puppies are born.
• If more than four hours go by between deliveries.
• If a puppy gets “stuck” during labor and can’t be removed.
• If labor hasn’t begun after 65 days of your dog’s pregnancy.
• If your pregnant dog begins twitching, throwing up, or panting.

After Dog Pregnancy – Caring for Mama and Puppies

 

Here are some tips about taking care of the new family. The first thing to know is, it’s perfectly fine to just leave mama alone to do all the work. Some mama dogs will insist on this, but there are some things that every responsible dog owner will want to know after their dog’s pregnancy ends.

First week after dog pregnancy:

• Puppies will start nursing after about two or four hours of life.
• Any aggressive or defensive behavior the mama shows towards you and the rest of the family, will pass fairly soon.
• Mama will continue having vaginal discharges with clotting for about a week. If that continues for longer than a week, call the veterinarian.
• Mama may eat the puppies’ poop for a while – you can remove it if she lets you, but eating poop at this stage is a normal protective instinct, because mama fears predators will detect the pups.
• Mama’s stools will be soft for a few days after giving birth.
• Never use a heating pad or electric blanket in the nesting box, but be conscious of the room’s temperature near the floor.

Continuously after dog pregnancy:

• Check mama’s nipples occasionally for signs of infections, and feel free to clean them with a warm, damp cloth if she lets you.
• Clean the puppies’ bedding every day, and be careful to inspect for flea infestations.
• Carefully trim the puppies’ nails, especially if mama complains while nursing.

Two weeks after dog pregnancy, and beyond:

• The puppies will open their eyes right around two weeks.
• Take the puppies to the vet when they’re about three or four weeks old.
• Begin weaning the puppies off of breast milk after three or four weeks. Do this by gradually substituting mama’s milk, for watered-down puppy food and dog milk substitutes. Don’t force them to switch to solid foods immediately; let each puppy’s instincts be your guide.
• Never feed a puppy, milk meant for humans.
• Runts may be fed at separate times to avoid being deprived of food by their litter mates.
• Puppies can be offered for adoption at six to eight weeks of age.

Dog pregnancy is a messy, anxious, and glorious time in your family’s life. Best of luck, and remember to prepare, and respect your dog’s own instincts.

Back to training a dog, or return to the puppy health care topics