The pregnancy of the bitch is a very special process that some owners may experience. Although it is a unique and wonderful experience when the pregnancy is wanted and carried out responsibly, it can also be a real headache when the conception was accidental and there are not enough homes to take in all the little ones..
If you suspect that your dog may be pregnant, in this article on our site you will find everything you need to know, we will explain what a dog's pregnancy is like day by day, what is the care of a dog pregnant or the most obvious symptoms of pregnancy among others.
In any case, remember that it is highly recommended to visit the vet to perform an ultrasound and find out how many puppies are to come, as well as Know some special recommendations that our veterinarian may prescribe after observing the specific case. Discover below dog pregnancy week by week, a complete informative guide that every owner should know.
Symptoms of a pregnant dog
You may have doubts about a possible pregnancy, because fertilization does not always occur when there is intercourse, for this reason, it will be important to learn to recognize the symptoms of pregnancy in a female dog. But, How do you know if a dog is pregnant? The truth is that during a dog's pregnancy some obvious symptoms are observed that indicate that the gestation process is has started.
It is important to note that the pregnancy symptoms of a M altese Bichon or the pregnancy symptoms of a Yorkshire Terrier week by week will be the same, however, the symptoms of a pregnant dog one month or the symptoms of a pregnant dog about to give birth will be different.
The Symptoms of a pregnant dog are:
- Cycle: generally bitches experience heat twice a year, which usually varies between 4 and 13 months, however, this is not a reliable indicator, as hormonal changes can greatly alter it. It will be highly recommended to pay attention to other symptoms. Do bitches have their period? Discover the answer in the following article that we recommend.
- Bulging belly: around 30 days of gestation, our veterinarian, through a physical examination, will be able to palpate the uterus that will be able to confirm the state of pregnancy.
- Teat condition: This is probably the most obvious symptom of pregnancy, since during pregnancy the bitch's nipples enlarge their size and become more intense in color.
- Vaginal discharge: Changes in the pregnant dog's vaginal discharge are also common. We can observe white or transparent vaginal discharges, never with blood, black or green.
- Behavior: Behavior is an unreliable indicator for confirming a bitch's pregnancy, but it's one aspect we can't ignore. It can happen that it is abnormally active or, on the contrary, much more apathetic. It is common for her to reject contact with other dogs, especially males, and for her attitude towards us to become more affectionate or more surly. The search for the "nest" also occurs, it is then that the dog looks for shady and comfortable places to take refuge and have her litter there.
- Vomitos: around 35 days of gestation, when the uterus turns and folds, the bitch may experience certain discomforts including vomiting.
- Feeding: Feeding is a fundamental aspect of a bitch's pregnancy, but while most of them increase their appetite, some refuse completely their usual diet. In the care section we will pay close attention to this important aspect.
If your dog shows some or several of these symptoms, it is probably because she is indeed pregnant and the arrival of the puppies is only a matter of time. However, how can we know if a dog is pregnant with certainty? We explain it to you below.
How can we confirm a dog's pregnancy?
Now, how do I know if my dog is definitely pregnant? Currently there is no "pregnancy test in dogs" that can confirm pregnancy with a urine sample, therefore, to confirm the pregnancy of the dog it will be highly advisable go to our veterinarianof trust, who will tell us if she is indeed pregnant or if, on the contrary, it is a psychological pregnancy.
Performing veterinary tests is not only important to confirm pregnancy, it is also essential to make sure that the puppies are alive or that the mother Enjoy good he alth. Below we explain different pregnancy tests for dogs that you can perform at a veterinary clinic or hospital:
- Palpation: This test requires some skill and is probably the cheapest method. It is important to note that it is not 100% reliable and that it will not reveal any he alth problems in the mother or the puppies. It can be done 30 days after mounting.
- Blood test: The presence of a hormone called "relaxin" can confirm the pregnancy of the bitch from the age of 30 or 35 days of gestation. This test does not reveal the number of puppies, but it can give us information about the he alth status of the parent.
- Radiography: X-ray tests can be performed from 45 days of gestation, however, it is recommended to carry it out carried out during the last third of pregnancy, when the risk to the puppies is minimal. By means of an X-ray we will be able to know the number of puppies and possible malformations that they experience.
- Ultrasonography: this is the most common and recommended test during a bitch's pregnancy, as it tells us the number of puppies and also confirms that they are alive. It can be done after 25 or 35 days, but if it is not done exhaustively, some of the puppies can be missed. We leave you the following post about Ultrasound in dogs so you can learn more about the subject.
How do I know how many weeks pregnant my dog is?
Is your dog pregnant but you don't know how many weeks she is? Don't worry, after performing the tests mentioned above the vet will be able to determinemore or less approximately what week of the dog's pregnancy she is. This will help us to provide you with the necessary care at this very sensitive stage.
Psychological pregnancy in dogs
Even if we have observed all the symptoms mentioned above, it may happen that our veterinarian surprises us with an unexpected diagnosis: a psychological pregnancy.
Psychological pregnancy in female dogs is a fairly common problem in non-sterilized female dogs and can occur after a failed mating or for no reason at all. It is mainly due to a hormonal imbalance and can represent a he alth problem for our bitch, who will experience changes in behavior and milk production, which can lead to a breast infection if not treated properly.
In some cases the psychological pregnancy may also require the prescription of drugs and, if it is persistent, the veterinarian may arrive to recommend the castration of the bitch.
How long does a dog's pregnancy last?
The dog's pregnancy lasts approximately 65 days, although it can vary depending on the size, the experience of the mother or other factors, so accurately predicting the time of delivery is quite a difficult task, even for the most experienced veterinarians.
In some cases bitches can finish the gestation period between 58 and 63 days , but in other cases it can be delayed up to 68 or even 70 days. There are some factors that influence the gestation time, such as the size of the litter Generally, bitches that expect few puppies tend to give birth earlier, while those that expect a higher number of puppies tend to lengthen it.
When do you notice the puppies?
Around the third week of pregnancy, by palpation, our veterinarian will be able to confirm the pregnancy and the presence of embryos in The uterus. Already in the eighth week, we ourselves can perform gentle palpations on the abdomen of our bitch, since fetal movements will be very evident. Then we can notice the little ones and even feel them move.
It is important to act calmly and perform this procedure only from time to time, to prevent the dog from feeling anxiety when being constantly handled. It is important to know some of the 10 signs of stress in the dog to warn if we are being too insistent.
Remember that anxiety and stress have a direct impact on the mother and the puppies, negatively affecting their he alth and development. In addition, suffering from very severe conditions during this stage can cause puppies to be born with a predisposition to chronic stress and behavioral problems.
A dog's pregnancy week by week
Once the dog's pregnancy has been confirmed, her state of he alth and some curiosities resolved, it's time to talk about the dog's pregnancy week by week. What can we observe in a one month pregnant dog? What are the most frequent symptoms in each week? How is a 50 day pregnant dog going to behave?
Here we show you how it is the development of pregnancy in a dog week by week, but do not forget that the confirmation of all the These symptoms do not exempt you from going to the vet to ensure that everything is going well and that, indeed, the pregnancy is developing as it should.
Stages of a dog's pregnancy
Below we will detail in more depth what the stages of a dog's pregnancy are like, week by week:
- Fertilization: a dog's pregnancy takes place before ovulation and lasts approximately 15 to 25 minutes at most. During mating, the male ejaculates up to twice. The dogs then stick together until the male performs a third ejaculation of sperm into the female's vagina. Finally, the decompression of the bulb of the large occurs and they separate. After copulation, the dog's semen travels, waiting for the bitch to ovulate so that the eggs can be fertilized.
- First week (0-7 days): Once the eggs have been fertilized, they begin to divide in a process called "meiosis ". During the first week of pregnancy we will not observe any obvious symptoms of pregnancy, since the cells are dividing and gestation has begun in the uterus.
- Second week (8-14 days): at this stage the female sex cells continue to divide and, as in the previous week, we will not be able to notice any noticeable changes, apart from some inconspicuous behavior changes.
- Third week (15-21 days): in the third week the fertilized and divided eggs are implanted in the uterus of the bitch, causing bulges between 0.8 and 1 cm. These "lumps" will turn into puppies and, in fact, small figures could already be observed. At this time we can go to our veterinarian to perform a blood test and ensure the good he alth of the parent, since we will soon be able to see the belly of a 1-month pregnant dog.
- Fourth week (22-28 days): the embryos are already developing, very slowly, inside the bitch, for what here is when you notice the belly of a pregnant dog. In this week they already measure between 2 and 3 centimeters, being possible to perform abdominal palpation, and some of the symptoms mentioned above are also observed, such as the increase in size of the breasts or vaginal discharges. Puppies already have backbones.
- Fifth week (29-35 days): by the fifth week the embryos have increased in size, which is around the 5 centimeters, and they start to develop much faster. It is time to start paying close attention to the mother's diet and other care, therefore, we recommend going to the vet to receive some advice and perform the first ultrasound.
- Sixth week (36-42 days): around the sixth week is when bone scoring begins, allowing an X-ray to be made that indicates the exact number of puppies that are on the way. It is also possible to hear them through auscultation. The embryos already exceed 6 or 7 centimeters and, because of this, the abdomen of the bitch is getting bigger and bigger. It is time to prepare the nest for our parent and to continue paying attention to her care
- Seventh week (43-49 days): By the seventh week of a dog's pregnancy, puppies have already reached the size they they will have at the time of delivery and we will observe that the breasts already have milk. It is also possible that the dog begins to decrease food intake. It is highly recommended to do the x-ray this week, as we will be able to more easily anticipate some possible birth problems.
- Eighth week (50-57 days): at this time the preparation of the nest becomes more important, since the female will start to shelter there much more constantly. We must ensure an adequate temperature, as well as leave food and water within reach. Fetal movements are evident to the touch and the milk will begin to flow naturally. As long as we do not cause unnecessary stress in the bitch, we can perform a bath to ensure that the time of delivery is as hygienic as possible. However, if we notice nervousness, we will use a dry cleaning shampoo.
- Ninth week (58-65 days): The time of delivery is approaching and the puppies are fully formed and ready to be born. It is very important to give the dog space, as at this point she will begin to hide in the nest and appear slightly upset. She may experience contractions, involuntary urination, vaginal discharge, tremors, and vomiting. It is time to have the telephone number of a 24-hour emergency veterinarian at hand who can go to your home if necessary, since some birth problems can be very serious and put the life of the dog and the little ones at risk..
Next we will explain to you in a general way what are the cares in the pregnancies of a bitch, but we will also show you what the delivery is like, what are the most frequent postpartum problems and many other curiosities that you cannot miss if your dog is pregnant.
Behavior of a pregnant dog
It is essential to pay attention to the behaviors of a pregnant dog, as we must know that stress or anxiety can cause serious effects on developmentof the puppies, being able to also condition the character of the dogs in their adult stage. Therefore, knowing how a pregnant dog will behave is key when providing the necessary care and preventing behavior problems.
We must know that in this stage there is a progressive social isolation, in which the dog will spend more time being alone in the giving birth to her, especially in the days before delivery. The ideal is to try to maintain a normal routine of walks, affection and games, always adapted to her condition.
If we observe abundant signs of calm when we interact with her or that she rejects contact with us, we will allow it, supervising the dog without intervening. In no case will we generate more stress or anxiety than necessary.
It may also happen that the dog shows aggressiveness towards other animals and even towards us, through growling or marking. Although it is an unwanted behavior, we must also know that it is something frequent. In no case will we scold or punish her, but we will try to avoid all those behaviors that can cause a bad reaction.
In the most serious cases it is advisable to consult an ethologist or canine educator specialized in behavior modification, but in no case should we apply guidelines without prior knowledge.
Care for a pregnant dog
Pregnant bitches need constant attention and care from their guardians, mainly related to food and comfort. It is always advisable to go to the vet to guide us during this process, since each pregnancy is unique and each parent may need certain particular attention to ensure the good condition of the he alth and proper development of fetuses.
Feeding a pregnant dog
The feeding of a pregnant dog is a fundamental aspect that guarantees the good he alth of the mother and an optimal development of the fetuses. Do not forget that they feed through the placenta, therefore, follow the advice that we show you below to ensure that your pregnant dog enjoys the best quality of life and the necessary care:
Until the fifth or sixth week of pregnancy the dog will not begin to gain noticeable weight. At this stage we must feed her as we did before pregnancy, to avoid being overweight, which can have a very negative effect on pregnancy, causing possible problems during childbirth. The dog will continue to enjoy her walks and games like every day. The symptoms of pregnancy will not be long in coming.
From 36 or 42 days of gestation is when we must modify the dog's diet, always under veterinary prescription, to a food for puppies or " puppy ". From then on we must increase the dose of feed by 5% each week that passes. Remember that she must also feed the puppies she carries inside her.
Especially if you observe abnormalities in the dog's feces or a certain reluctance when eating, you can offer her cans of wet food, gastrointestinal feed and even bet on homemade diets, as long as you continue to offer her the feed for puppiesStimulating your appetite is essential, as well as hydration, so a bowl of fresh, clean water should never be missing.
In the final phase of pregnancy, the dog has less and less space in her body to hold food. It may be interesting to offer her a smaller amount of food but to increase the number of feeds, replenishing her constantly so that she continues to feed, however, it is very common for the pregnant dog to stop eating in the days before delivery
Once the puppies are born, we will continue to feed the dog with puppy food, but depending on her milk production, our veterinarian may or may not recommend a special formula.
Here we give you 6 basic tips for feeding a pregnant dog:
- During the first phase of pregnancy the bitch should eat as she did before pregnancy
- In the event of nausea, divide your meals into several servings.
- Check with your veterinarian about the option of offering nutritional supplements in the first phase.
- Prevents overweight and obesity in the pregnant bitch.
- Do not administer any type of medication to a pregnant dog, consult your veterinarian.
- Call your vet whenever you notice any unusual symptoms.
Activities, exercise and other care
During the first weeks of pregnancy the dog will continue to follow a exercise and walk routine that is completely normal. Can a pregnant dog exercise? The answer is yes, but always taking certain precautions. Around the fifth or sixth week we will begin to reduce physical exercise and bet on other calmer activities within the home, meanwhile, we will continue taking walks as usual.
The bathroom is also an important factor to consider. Can a pregnant dog be bathed? As we have told you before, it is recommended do it towards the end of the pregnancy, to ensure that the farrowing pen is as hygienic as possible during delivery.
And what about the vaccination and deworming routines of a pregnant dog? Not all the products that we find on the market are suitable during the gestation period, however, it is an essential process, since we must ensure that the puppies cannot suffer from an infestation as soon as they are born. The most advisable thing is to go to the veterinarian so that he can detail when is the ideal moment and what products we should use.
Affection and emotional care are also essential. Don't forget to spend time with your dog, whenever she allows you, to ensure that her emotional state is positive and stable, which will ensure a good development of pregnancy the absence of behavioral problems.
Nest or farrowing box for dogs
In the market you will find some square-shaped structures called "parderas" whose price can vary between 50 and up to 300 euros. They stand out mainly for having cylinders or plates that prevent the puppies from crushing and are usually well insulated from the outside.
The farrowing shed must be placed in an isolated room, away from the movement of people or other dogs, but it must also be accommodated with a mattress or cushion and some blankets. To avoid dirt we can place a rubber or any other plastic surface on top, especially useful after the birth. The farrowing pen should have natural light and a comfortable temperature, as well as be away from drafts or direct sunlight. The bitch will begin to want to be in the farrowing box or "nest" days before giving birth.
The birth of a bitch
Delivery is the most anticipated moment of a dog's pregnancy and probably the one that raises the most doubts. If your veterinarian has ruled out any risk and does not need a caesarean section, your dog can give birth at home, otherwise, when you see the first signs of labor in your dog, you should go to your veterinary clinic urgently.
Childbirth is a complicated moment for the dog and you must let her manageher nervousness and anxiety, avoiding handling or force her to do anything she doesn't want. Gently escort her to the farrowing room if she hasn't already gone there. Even if you are not going to intervene, it is important that you keep a safe distance to ensure that everything goes well. Remember to have the veterinary emergency number handy in case any complication arises.
Material needed for delivery
Here are some things you should have ready at the time of delivery, to ensure that hygiene levels are adequate and that you can manage any problem without nervousness:
- Newspapers to cover the floor of the farrowing pen.
- Clean, dry towels to clean the puppies.
- Kitchen paper to clean the floor if necessary.
- Thermometer to take the parent's temperature.
- Dental floss to tie the umbilical cords.
- Sterile scissors to cut the umbilical cords.
- Hot water bottle to ensure the temperature of the puppies.
- Iodine to clean the cut umbilical cord.
- A scale to weigh all the little ones.
- A notebook to write down the weight and other details of the puppies.
Signs that the dog's labor is approaching
How will we know exactly when the time has come? What should we expect at the time of delivery? There are some signs that make it clear that the time of the birth of the puppies is approaching, for that reason, you should know them all.
The most obvious Symptoms of labor in the bitch:
- Experienced bitches usually start producing a lot of milk 48 to 24 hours before giving birth, whereas first-time bitches around 7 or 10 days prior to delivery.
- A bitch about to give birth constantly tries to hide in her farrowing box, let's leave her space.
- Tremors, vomiting and urine may occur.
- We will observe abdominal contractions and uterine, every 5 to 15 minutes.
- The bitch will expel a mucous-bloody discharge, for this reason, if your bitch is pregnant and sheds mucus with blood or something similar to "brown discharge", don't be scared, it's that delivery is coming.
- The dog's behavior at this time will be greatly altered.
- Decrease in body temperature between 1 and 2ºC that we can tell by taking the dog's temperature.
How is a dog giving birth?
Especially if you are facing the birth of a first-time bitch, you need some advice to know if everything is going well. You should know that the delivery of the dog can last up to 4 hours and that the rest time between fetus and fetus can be extended from 30 minutes to 2 hours, although is the most common.
A sign that something is wrong is that the dog has contractions and that she does not expel any puppy for a long time. There are three stages of labor in the bitch:
- Relaxation or dilation of the uterus: 4 to 24 hours in duration. The female prepares to expel the cubs. It is a time of restlessness and nervousness. The vulva becomes enlarged and may even secrete some fluids.
- Expulsion of the pups: when the contractions begin to become intense and last for at least 60 seconds we must be very relaxed and be attentive because the moment of birth is at hand. We will observe how the genital area is licked. The contractions will get stronger and stronger until the first pup is expelled from the body (still attached by the umbilical cord to the placenta). The rest of the puppies will follow him according to small time intervals. In general, the delivery usually lasts about 2 hours, although it can be considerably lengthened if it is a very large litter. The female will lick the pups to stimulate them while she cuts their umbilical cord. There are very few cases in which she does not do it, if you notice that she does not have the strength or does not carry out this task, do it yourself. Remember to count the puppies to know they are all out based on the x-ray results.
- Expulsion of the placenta: during the delivery, each puppy is born wrapped in a placenta, on each of these occasions the bitch it breaks to let the puppy breathe and then eats it, as the nutritional value is very high. If you notice that the placenta does not rupture, do it yourself, otherwise the puppies could die. In addition, we advise you that if the expelled placenta is too large, do not let your dog eat it, as it can lead to digestive problems.
Labor and delivery in dogs is divided into 3 stages.
- Stage I: lasts from 12 to 24 hours. During this stage uterine contractions begin, but are not externally visible. The cervix also begins to dilate.
- During Stage II: Abdominal contractions can be seen and the puppies are delivered. Puppies are usually delivered at 1-2 hour intervals, but that can vary considerably. Stage II can last up to 24 hours.
- Stage III: is defined as delivery of the placenta. Dogs generally alternate between stages II and III until delivery is complete.
If you have more questions about how long a dog's labor lasts, don't hesitate to consult the post on our site that we recommend.
Delivery Problems
We can affirm that in most cases there are usually no risks in childbirth, even so, and for this reason precisely, we have recommended throughout the article that you visit the veterinarian periodically during pregnancy, Well, the professional, by carrying out different tests, will tell you if your pregnant dog can give birth at home without any problem or if it will require specialized care.
If you notice any of the problems in the delivery of the bitch shown below call the emergency vet without delay:
- No uterine contractions.
- Uterine contractions without delivery.
- Hemorrhage.
- Abortion.
- Fetus jam.
- Retained placenta.
- Fetal death.
- Mummification.
Some tips for the 3 most common problems:
- Puppy Jam: If we see a little puppy stuck in the birth canal we will never pull it, we will have to turn it around. clockwise to encourage opening of the vagina.
- The dog can't cut the umbilical cord: We will cut it with scissors ourselves, then tie a knot.
- A puppy is not breathing: We will open its mouth and give it artificial respiration, we will also massage the chest region vigorously and providing heat without hurting him. Give it a little shake while holding its head gently. We must be very careful and know in detail the resuscitation of newborn puppies before delivery.
Postpartum of the dog
If your dog has given birth to your dogs by C-section, you should pay special attention to the care of a dog after a C-section, to prevent stitches from opening and to ensure that wounds heal properly. Precisely when the bitch undergoes a caesarean section, it may happen that she rejects the puppies.
Remember that puppies totally depend on their mother, both to receive food and to regulate their body temperature. Their milk is very important because it immunizes them from various diseases that may exist in the environment through a substance called "colostrum". As we have mentioned before, if you notice that he does not lick or feed them you should do it yourself following the advice on our site on how to feed a newborn puppy.
Wrap them in cotton towels and we'll put them all in one small, warm environment. If your dog does not offer to suckle, you will provide her with the milk that you have purchased at the pet store, always in small doses and being very careful. Call your trusted vet and ask for advice.
