Dog Pregnancy- Everything You Need to Know to Care for Your Pet

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A dog’s pregnancy is unique and interesting. Every responsible dog owner should educate themselves to be best prepared to care for mom dog as well as the future bundles of joy!

First of all, let’s discuss the less known physical facts about a dog’s reproduction!  

1. A dog’s uterus is shaped like a U, and each of the elongated sections are called a “horn”. Puppies await birth in both horns.
2. Each puppy lives in its own sack in utero, complete with its own placenta. A puppy’s birth weight is largely (though not exclusively) determined by the placement of the placenta. Better placement yields better nutrition. Another major factor in puppy birth size is the number of puppies in the uterus, as they can grow to fill the available space. A smaller number of puppies will grow larger to fill the uterus. A larger number of puppies have less space to grow, so they stay a little smaller.
3. A mother dog’s hormones shoot up during the Proestrus and Estrus phases of the heat cycle. Surprisingly, whether a dog is bred or not, those hormones stay heightened for up to 5 weeks after ovulation. This phase of the dog’s cycle is called Diestrus. Some dogs may show signs of pregnancy when they have not been bred or if a breeding was unsuccessful- this is called a “false pregnancy” and is the result of higher hormones.
4. Ovulation is not quick event, but rather a female dog ovulates several eggs over the course of 1-2 days. Because of this, it is possible for multiple dogs to sire the same litter of puppies.
5. Dogs ovulate immature eggs which need 2 days to fully mature. However, semen can survive in the uterus for several days. Breeding on the day of ovulation, the day after ovulation, and 2-4 days after ovulation often yields successful pregnancies.
6. A dog’s pregnancy usually lasts 63 days from the day of ovulation. If the date of ovulation is known thanks to progesterone testing or a similar test, the due date is sure. Puppies should be born within 1-2 days of the due date. If the female has not given birth 2 days after ovulation, it is recommended to visit a vet right away to assess if a c-section will be needed. If the date of ovulation is not known, the due date is guessed by adding 63 days from the first day of breeding. Because this due date is less sure, the female may give birth within a wider time frame- give or take 5-7 days from the due date.
7. Pregnancy can be confirmed via ultrasound around 4 weeks after breeding/ovulation.
8. An xray is very useful to count puppies in the uterus. This helps the owner anticipate how many puppies should be born, knowing exactly when the female is finished with labor. A vet can also check the size of the unborn puppies to be sure the female can have a successful birth. Remember- fewer puppies are riskier as they may grow larger. Puppies’ bones calcify towards the end of pregnancy, so it is best to wait to have the xray done.

Here’s a quick look into puppy development in utero:

Week 1-3 after breeding: A cluster of cells quickly multiplies. The head and spine are first to form.

Week 4: The puppy is around 1 inch in size. Eyes and other organs are forming.

Week 5-6: The puppy is growing toes, whiskers, nails, and sex organs. Organs are completely formed. The puppy does not have hair yet.

Week 7-8: The skeleton is underway and will slowly calcify.

Week 9: The puppy is ready for birth as early as day 57 but 60-63 in utero days is best!

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How does a responsible dog owner care for a pregnant dog?

1. Allow the mother to select her own activity level. She should not be pushed to exercise more than she is comfortable with, but she can choose to play actively if she would like to.
   1. Keep mom safe. Avoid any physical activities that could cause trauma to the puppies- such as jumping or excessively rough play.
2. A mother dog does not need regular vet check ups throughout pregnancy in the same way a human does. That being said, if you have any concerns about her health, it is better to be safe than sorry! It is best practice to have a vet health checkup for the mother before breeding. The 4 week appointment for an ultrasound to confirm pregnancy is another great opportunity to verify mom’s health. An xray at the end of pregnancy is the perfect time to ask any questions to the vet before labor begins.
3. A mother dog does not need additional vitamins or supplements during pregnancy as long as she is on a high-quality diet. In the last 2-3 weeks of pregnancy, mom will need more calories than before. Switch mom gradually onto a puppy food- this contains higher fat and protein than adult kibble. Mom may eat up to 30% more than her usual diet during the last weeks of pregnancy until she weans her puppies.
   1. Mom may prefer smaller, more frequent meals rather than eating 2 large meals in a day.
4. Check out our Whelping Kit for the Milk Production Treats recipe. These provide a natural boost to mom’s milk production- ensuring that those hungry babies have enough to eat. I recommend giving them to mom in the last 2 weeks of pregnancy and until weaning begins.
5. What signs and symptoms of pregnancy will you see? Every mom experiences pregnancy a little differently, but you can expect some of these symptoms: mood swings (more clingy, more distant, more grouchy, etc.), clear vaginal discharge, increased urination, changes in activity level, changes in diet (more or less interested in food), enlarged nipples, lightening of the gums, nesting, vomiting, and, of course, larger belly/weight gain towards the end of pregnancy. Near the last 1-2 weeks, you may see the puppies moving in her belly and lactation beginning!
6. In the last week before her due date, it is recommended to take mom’s temperature 3 times per day to watch for the temperature drop. This can signal the beginning of labor! If you don’t know how, check out our Whelping Kit for instructions.

Most dog pregnancies are uneventful- a relaxing time before the excitement and business of puppies! However, here are a few potential complications to watch out for:

Pyometra: The scariest complication that I’ve ever experienced- a pyometra is an infection of the uterus. Puppies rarely survive and mom can pass away also. If the vet is to save mom, she may need an emergency spay to remove the infected uterus. A pyometra can be spotted from the following symptoms: vaginal discharge that resembles puss (yellow or green, smelly), vomiting, lethargic behavior, refusing food, diarrhea or urinating often, fever, bloated abdomen or distended abdomen. If these signs are present, see a vet quickly as the infection is deadly.

Reabsorbed Puppies: Before the bones form, a puppy or even an entire litter can be “reabsorbed” meaning that the tissue that began to develop fades away instead of developing to full term. This is usually the result of a problem in the pregnancy (for full litter reabsorption) or a problem with one or more puppies (for individual reabsorption). It usually happens early in the pregnancy.

Mummification/Abortion: In either case, a puppy did not survive the full term of pregnancy, but did live to around day 50- when the bones calcify. In the case of abortion, the fetus is born preterm. This is not common. In mummification, a puppy passes away in utero and the fetus is preserved due to a membrane formed by drying skin around the pup. If the membrane does not form in such a way to result in mummification, the fetus can decay in the womb- possibly leading to infection and sickness to other puppies.

Stillborn Puppies- Full term puppies who are born dead. There are many causes such as placental detachment, infection, toxins, etc. that may lead to a stillborn puppy. Note that many puppies need assistance to take their first breaths, but they are not dead. Rubbing the puppy, encouraging mom to lick its face, using a bulb syringe to remove amniotic fluid from the mouth/nose, and keeping the puppy warm can help the pup begin to breathe.

Eclampsia or Preeclampsia- A lack of calcium due to the demand of the babies on the mother’s body. Do not administer calcium yourself before puppies are born, but visit a vet if your dog has any of the following symptoms: restless, confused or disoriented, stiff and awkward walk, panting, etc.

Mastitis: Swollen nipples and mammary glands due to milk production. This usually is seen after puppies are born, but could occur late in pregnancy. Signs of mastitis include a breast or breast tissue that are hard to the touch, warm, and inflamed. Mom may act tired, avoid food, and have a fever. This should be treated quickly by a vet.

A pregnancy is a magical time of life for both the glowing mother dog as well as her doting humans. Take great care of her! She deserves all the pampering and love you can give during this amazing life event! Just wait- the puppies so much fun!

PLEASE don’t stop researching now- there is SO MUCH that your puppies need from you AFTER the pregnancy/birth!

Learn all about how to give your pups the BEST start to life here: