Signs That Your Dog Might Be Pregnant and What to Do

Welcoming a litter of one to six furry friends into the world can be a fascinating experience; however, before you can coo over their tiny faces and wagging tails, you’ll have many responsibilities to attend to first.

As well as being expensive and time-consuming, dog pregnancies can be stressful and confusing due to the number of complications that could arise during and post-whelping. Whether your female is already pregnant or you’re considering breeding her, there is information you need to know.

From how best to care for your dog during their pregnancy, the signs of pregnancy, the length of their gestation period and how to prepare for the birth – we’ve outlined what to do below.

Signs Of Pregnancy In Dogs

On average, a dog is pregnant for fifty-eight to sixty-eight days; however, this could differ depending on your dog’s breed and other factors. During the first few weeks of the gestation period, there shouldn’t be much difference in the behaviour and physical appearance of your dog, yet as the weeks go by, you should start to notice the following signs:

Weight gain or swelling in the abdominal region.
Increased appetite.
Vomiting in the first few weeks.
Decreased appetite in the first few weeks.
Fatigue.
Irritability.
More affectionate.

What To Do If You Suspect That Your Dog Is Pregnant

If you suspect that your dog could be pregnant, the first thing you should do is notify your vet. After four weeks, your vet can confirm your suspicions via ultrasound and carry out blood tests once thirty-five days have passed. During this time, there are several things you should do to ensure that the pregnancy goes smoothly.

Prepare Yourself For Whelping – As the time for puppy birthing (also known as whelping) draws nearer, you should start preparing for the arrival of the puppies. The best way to do this is by obtaining all the necessary supplies and setting up a whelping box that provides your dog with a safe, easily cleaned, warm area to have her puppies. Ready-to-purchase boxes can be bought through providers like Petnap and the whelping supplies you’ll need. Browse Petnap’s range of whelping boxes on their website or contact them directly to learn more about their whelping products and how they could make the process easier for you and your furry friend.
Feed Your Dog Properly – After four weeks, you should put your dog on a high-calorie diet that contains the nutrients, vitamins, and minerals they need to have a healthy pregnancy. If you’re struggling, contact your vet for recommendations.
Take Their Temperature – Towards the end of the pregnancy, you’ll be able to tell if your dog is ready to give birth by taking its temperature regularly – it should drop below 100ºF.
Keep Other Dogs Away – Three weeks during and post whelping, try and keep other dogs away from the mother to prevent them from contracting the herpes virus, which can be life-threatening to puppies.