Female Dog Pregnancy Stages from Preparation to Birth

As a dog owner, it's essential to know the female dog pregnancy stages to ensure a healthy and happy pregnancy for your furry friend. The entire pregnancy process typically lasts around 58 to 68 days.

From the moment of conception, the fertilized eggs will implant in the uterus lining. This process usually occurs 5 to 7 days after mating. The implanted eggs will then start to develop into fetuses.

During the first few weeks of pregnancy, the female dog's body will undergo significant changes to support the growth of the fetuses. Her uterus will expand to accommodate the developing puppies, and her nipples will become larger to prepare for milk production.

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As your dog's pregnancy progresses, it's essential to prepare for the arrival of her puppies. Once you've determined she's pregnant, take her to the vet for a prenatal checkup to ensure she's up-to-date on vaccinations.

Your vet will likely recommend a fecal exam or de-worming medication to prevent intestinal parasites. De-worming the pregnant dam with an appropriate medication starting on her third trimester can significantly decrease the amount of roundworm and hookworms in newborn puppies.

To prepare for the whelping process, set up a whelping box in a quiet area of the house, easily accessible for you but not the puppies. This will provide a safe and warm space for your dog to deliver her puppies. Introduce your dog to the whelping box beforehand to prevent her from delivering elsewhere.

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As your dog's pregnancy progresses, you'll notice some significant changes. Her breasts and nipples will enlarge, and you might even detect some milky fluid as the milk glands develop and enlarge.

Her abdomen will increase in size and may sway a little as she walks. At the very end of the pregnancy, you might even be able to see or feel the puppies moving around inside the mother.

You want to prepare yourself and your dog for whelping, or puppy birthing. The best way to do this is to set up a whelping box, which offers a safe, warm, draft-free, easily cleaned location for your dog to have her puppies.

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There are whelping boxes made that can be purchased or you can even use a small children’s plastic swimming pool. The whelping box should be easy for the mother, but not the puppies, to get in and out of.

Your dog may prefer to have it in a quiet area of the house but in an area that you can have easy access. Introduce her to the whelping box beforehand to prevent her from deciding to deliver elsewhere.

Here are some key things to consider when setting up your whelping box:

Unless you plan to have an experienced breeder on hand, you will need to be prepared to step in when necessary during the whelping process. It’s always a good idea to have another person there with you to help keep the puppies warm or to assist if you need help.

If you're taking any medications, it's essential to discuss them with your veterinarian to ensure they're safe for your pregnant dog. Some medications should be avoided altogether.

Your veterinarian can help you determine which medications are safe and which ones to avoid. They'll also advise you on any necessary adjustments to your dog's medication regimen.

Pregnant dogs should not take certain medications, but your veterinarian can provide guidance on which ones are safe to continue.

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Proper Nutrition is key during a female dog's pregnancy.

For the first two-thirds of her pregnancy, if your dog is already on a good quality dog food and is at a healthy weight, you won’t have to make any changes to her diet.

Increasing her food intake at this stage can be harmful, so it's best to stick with her regular feeding schedule.

A good quality dog food should be premium, high-quality, and approved by your veterinarian during pregnancy. It should also bear an AAFCO label stating that it is appropriate for “gestation and lactation” or “all life stages.”

As her weight increases in the last weeks of her pregnancy, veterinarians recommend increasing her food intake gradually, until she consumes 35-to-50 percent more than usual.

Here are the key characteristics of a good quality puppy food for a pregnant dog:

As a dog owner, it's essential to recognize the signs of labor in your pregnant dog. Pregnant mothers may stop eating a few days before whelping and may start trying to build a "nest" in the whelping box.

Panting heavily is a common sign of labor, and a drop in rectal temperature usually precedes delivery by 8-to-24 hours. This temperature drop can be a crucial indicator of impending labor.

Each puppy is born enclosed in its placental membrane, and the mother licks the puppy vigorously to tear it off. If she doesn't remove it, you'll need to do it, as puppies can't survive for more than a few minutes without oxygen.

The entire duration of a normal whelping is about equal to the number of puppies in utero, so a litter of 6 should normally take about 6 hours total.

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Whelping is a significant event in a dog's life, and as a responsible dog owner, it's essential to be prepared. A pregnant dog's time approaches, and you'll notice warning signs of labor, such as a drop in rectal temperature, typically 8-to-24 hours before delivery, from 100-to-102.5 degrees Fahrenheit to 99 degrees or lower.

Pregnant dogs may also stop eating a few days before whelping and start trying to build a "nest" in the whelping box. Some dogs may pant heavily, and abdominal contractions may begin slowly, gaining strength and frequency.

A water sac may come out when there's a puppy in the birth canal, and the first puppy should be delivered within one hour. Each puppy is born enclosed in its placental membrane, and the mother licks the puppy vigorously to remove it. If she doesn't, you'll need to do it, as puppies can't survive for more than a few minutes without oxygen.

The mother should also sever the umbilical cord as she cleans her pups. If she doesn't, you'll need to snip the cord and tie it off with unwaxed dental floss about one inch from the belly. Wipe the abdomen of all puppies with iodine to prevent infection.

A litter of 6 should normally take about 6 hours total, and the entire duration of a normal whelping is about equal to the number of puppies in utero. Keep track of the number of placentas, as a retained placenta can cause problems for the mother.

Here's a list of essential items to have on hand during whelping:

Keep an eye on the puppies to make sure they're all breathing normally and nursing. If you notice any complications or concerns, don't hesitate to contact your veterinarian.

Possible Labor Complications can be a scary thing, but knowing what to look out for can help you stay calm and get your dog the help she needs. If your dog's rectal temperature dropped more than 24 hours ago and labor isn’t starting, it's time to call your veterinarian.

Severe discomfort is a clear warning sign that something's wrong. If your dog is experiencing severe discomfort, or if she doesn’t deliver the first puppy 2 hours after contractions begin especially if she has passed green discharge, seek help immediately.

More than 2 hours passing between the delivery of puppies is a cause for concern. Strong contractions for an hour without a birth or if the mother seems exhausted are also warning signs that need attention.

Trembling, collapsing, or shivering are serious warning signs that could put both the bitch and the puppies at risk.

It's normal for dogs to deliver a dark green or bloody fluid after the first puppy, but if this happens before the first puppy, call the vet.

You should also be concerned if your dog shows no signs of whelping 64 days after her last mating, or if all of the placentas aren’t delivered.

Puppies not nursing is another sign that something's amiss.

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Dogs are pregnant for approximately 62-64 days, or about two months. This can vary with breed and litter size, making it difficult to predict the exact timing of a delivery.

During the first month of pregnancy, the fertilized eggs travel to the uterine horn, where they embed themselves in the lining at about 15-18 days. By the end of the first month, a veterinarian can detect a fetal heartbeat.

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By the end of the second month, the puppies are ready to be born. This is a critical time, and you can expect to see noticeable signs of pregnancy in the bitch, including increased appetite, weight gain, and clear, odorless vaginal discharge.

Here are some key signs of pregnancy to look out for during the second month:

Dogs are pregnant for approximately 9 weeks, which is relatively short compared to humans.

The normal gestation period in dogs is around 63 days from conception, but this can vary by several days.

A veterinarian can help determine the length of pregnancy using hormone measurements, such as vaginal smears and blood tests.

Here's a breakdown of the gestation period according to accurate hormone measurements:

Knowing the length of the gestation period is crucial for the health of the pregnant bitch and the puppies, and it's used to monitor nutrition and veterinary care during pregnancy.

If you're planning a breeding, it's essential to record the exact date of mating to estimate the due date, which is usually between 63 and 65 days later.

Labor can be a long and tiring process, and it's essential to monitor your dog's progress closely.

Puppy development is almost complete by the start of the third month, and the puppies will begin to move into whelping position in the birth canal over the last few days of the bitch's pregnancy.

Symptoms during the last few days of pregnancy in dogs include a trimmed waist, appetite loss, a drop in body temperature, restless behavior, and pacing, panting, shivering, or digging.

A veterinarian should be contacted if labor takes more than 24 hours, or if more than 2 hours pass in between puppies.

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The first stage of pregnancy is a crucial one, and it can be a bit tricky to recognize. This stage lasts 12-to-24 hours and is often not outwardly noticeable.

Contractions in the muscular wall of the uterus increase throughout stage one, both in strength and frequency.

You might not see any visible contractions, but there are some symptoms of labor in dogs to look out for.

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