Caring For a Pregnant Dog


 Is your dog pregnant? Or maybe you think your dog could be pregnant. Or maybe, you are considering breeding? Whichever is the case, you need to be prepared to give your pregnant dog the love and special care she needs while she is busy growing puppies in her belly. Here is a list of ways you can support your pregnant dog as she prepares for whelping (delivery):

Signs that your dog may be pregnant:

  • Increased appetite
  • Weight gain
  • Increased nipple size
  • Swollen belly
  • Tires more easily
  • Nesting behavior
  • More affectionate
  • Irritable
Keep in mind that all of these signs could also be different medical conditions other than pregnancy. You must go to a veterinarian to determine if your dog is pregnant or it is something else. 

How to tell if your dog is pregnant:
You have noticed the signs stated above and are taking your dog to the vet to determine pregnancy. A dog's pregnancy only lasts about 62-64 days depending upon the breed. The sooner you bring your dog to the vet, the better. There are different ways your vet can determine if it's a pregnancy:
  • Palpation: Starting at about 28-30 days, you can start to feel the puppies. They will feel like little golf balls or grapes in the abdomen. This is the fluid filled sac around the fetus. Abdominal palpation should only be done by a veterinarian. Otherwise, you risk injuring the puppies. 
  • Ultrasound: At around 25-35 days of gestation, your veterinarian can listen for the fetal heart beats. This will also help your vet determine approximately how many puppies are in the litter. 
  • Hormone Test: At around 25-30 days, your veterinarian can measure your dog's hormones to determine pregnancy. 
  • X-ray: At around 55 days, the skeletal system of the puppies has developed and your vet can perform an x-ray to get an accurate count of how many puppies to expect. 
Caring for a pregnant dog:
  • Proper nutrition is key to helping your dog through pregnancy. If your dog is already on a high quality food and is at a healthy weight, you do not need to change her diet for the first 2/3 of the pregnancy unless directed by a veterinarian. During the last few weeks of pregnancy, you may need to increase your dog's food intake if this is recommended by your vet. 
  • You can continue to give your dog her normal exercise routine until her belly is enlarged. Then, you will want to change to shorter, more frequent and less strenuous exercise. Light exercise will also help your expecting mother keep her energy up for whelping.
  • Regular vet visits are key. Your veterinarian will want to make sure your dog is up to date on vaccinations and take a fecal sample to make sure your dog does not have internal parasites. A de-wormer may be recommended at this time as well. The vet will also determine if there are any anatomical or mechanical concerns for delivery. Finally, you will also want to discuss with your vet an emergency plan during whelping.
Prepping for pups:
Before the puppies arrive, you will want to either build or purchase a whelping box. This is a box that is safe, warm and draft free for the mother and pups. It should be easy for the mother to enter and exit, but the puppies cannot get out. You will want to introduce the mother to the whelping box to get her comfortable with it before delivery-- otherwise, you may find your dog having her puppies in other areas besides the whelping box-- like a closet, under a porch, etc....

If this is your first time delivering pups, you should also find someone experienced with whelping. Ask them questions on what to expect & have them available during delivery. You need to do lots of research and reading on what to expect and when something may be going wrong during delivery.

Check List: Here are the things you will want to have on hand during the delivery process--
  • Non-skid bath mats for bedding after whelping is done.
  • Dry clean towels
  • Paper towels
  • Thermometer
  • Clean sterilize scissors
  • Unwaxed dental floss
  • Iodine
  • A heat lamp placed up high and to one side of the box to allow the mother and pups to choose either warmth or a cool place.
  • A bulb for cleaning the puppies mouth & nose
  • Baby scale
  • Veterinarian & emergency room phone numbers.
Labor signs: 
Your dog may stop eating a couple days prior to whelping and start to nest. If you notice this, you will want to give your vet a quick call to confirm. Many dogs will begin to pant. For the most part, your dog will naturally know what to do and you are there just in case there are complications. Here are some more links you can read to further prepare you for a little of cute, little furballs: 




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