Pregnancy in dogs, like in humans, is accompanied by physical and emotional changes, so during this period the pet needs more attention, care and understanding from its owner. And in order to be useful, the owner needs to understand how long pregnancy lasts, what are its signs, what happens to the dog’s body, when childbirth occurs and what to do at this time. All this knowledge will help to become a reliable support and support for your pet, and sometimes even save her life and the life of the puppies.
How to check pregnancy at home?
How to determine pregnancy in dogs at home in the early stages can be quite difficult, especially if this is her first experience. However, there are certain signs, the presence of which indicates that the pet is expecting offspring.
- A pregnant dog becomes calmer, seeks attention more often. In some cases, she may, on the contrary, desire seclusion.
- The pet may look sleepy or less energetic.
- Due to hormonal changes in the body, the dog may lose its appetite, and later begin to eat more than usual.
- The nipples become larger, pinker, and closer to childbirth, colostrum may be released from them.
- The abdomen is noticeably rounded. This indicates that the pet is already in the middle of pregnancy. In the later stages, you can feel the puppies moving.
If you want to be sure that your dog is pregnant, you can consult a veterinarian. For accuracy, the clinic often uses ultrasound or analysis of the relaxin hormone level, which increases only during pregnancy.
How long does a dog walk when pregnant? How many days does pregnancy last?
Usually, pregnancy in dogs lasts 58-68 days, that is, about two months. The duration may vary depending on the breed, age and physiological characteristics of the dog. For example, small breeds have a slightly shorter gestation period than large dogs.
Most often, a duration of 63 days is considered the norm. However, in some cases, childbirth may occur a few days earlier or later than this period.
Stages of pregnancy
Pregnancy in dogs can be divided into three main stages. Getting to know them will help the owner to properly care for the dog and avoid unnecessary anxiety.
- Fertilization and early development (1-3 weeks). It is at this time that the formation of future puppies begins, so it is important to provide the dog with peace, a balanced diet and avoid stressful situations for it. Signs of pregnancy at this stage are barely noticeable, but the pet may experience slight lethargy, loss of appetite, and nipple sensitivity.
- Active fruit development (4-6 weeks). By the end of the fourth week, the embryos turn into fetuses that already have limbs, formed internal organs, and the development of fur begins. During this period, the dog is less physically active. Her belly begins to round, nipples swell and turn pink, weight may increase.
- Preparation for childbirth (week 7-9). At the last stage of pregnancy, puppies complete their development and take up more space in the uterus. Closer to childbirth, they begin to move. After observing the pet, you can notice that she will look for a cozy place to give birth, dig the floor, behave restlessly, colostrum will be released from her nipples, and copious discharge is possible from the loop. 24-48 hours before the birth, the dog’s body temperature decreases. This means that the long-awaited time has come.
What should be the care of a pregnant dog?
You have already familiarized yourself with the main stages of pregnancy, so you understand that amazing things are happening to your pet’s body. Her body is working diligently on a new life, throwing all its resources at it. Therefore, proper care is about being able to take care of the dog, relieve its discomfort, show more love and patience.
First, let’s deal with nutrition. Since the appetite may disappear in the first stage of pregnancy, it is not necessary to force-feed the dog. A little time will pass and the appetite will return. You need to buy special food for pregnant dogs and feed it strictly according to the instructions. Overfeeding will contribute to excess weight, which can complicate childbirth. In the last weeks of pregnancy, due to the maximum increase of the uterus, there is not much room left for the stomach, so it is better to divide the daily food intake into a larger number of meals.
Secondly, physical activity. Yes, a dog can feel lethargic and less energetic during pregnancy. But no one cancels regular walks in the fresh air. You just need to reduce their duration and avoid jumping or running to prevent injuries.
Thirdly, the peculiarities of grooming a pregnant dog should be taken into account. For example, in the last weeks before childbirth, bath procedures are not recommended. Before this period, you can bathe, but using the softest, hypoallergenic products at home.
Fourth, always keep in touch with your vet and stick to your check-up schedule. The veterinarian will ensure that the dog’s pregnancy proceeds normally and will provide recommendations if necessary.
And, finally, it is important to create a cozy, calm place for your pet, where she can retire and rest. Closer to giving birth, you can facilitate the dog’s search for a “nest” for the birth of puppies by arranging a box or a special bed for this purpose. This will reduce her stress level before the responsible process.
Birth in dogs
The entire process of childbirth takes place naturally and in a certain sequence. First, the dog’s body prepares for childbirth: the cervix opens, light contractions begin. The pet may breathe hard and tremble.
When strong contractions begin, puppies are born. Each baby comes to the outside world in an amniotic membrane, which the mother usually tears on her own. Next, she bites the umbilical cord and cleans the newborn. If the pet did not do this, you need to carefully tear the shell, wipe the puppy with a towel and free the airways.
You should also pay attention to the fact that 20 minutes to an hour can pass between the birth of puppies. If the interval exceeds this time or the dog looks tired and cannot give birth, profuse bleeding has begun, it is necessary to consult a veterinarian.
After the puppy is born, the placenta also comes out of the uterus. It is important to ensure that the number of placentas corresponds to the number of puppies to avoid infection. If the placenta has not come out, it is necessary to consult a veterinarian.
And finally, when the dogs have given birth behind, the puppies have drunk milk, you should take care of the mother. She needs to be given time to rest and monitor her condition. The temperature should return to normal, the appetite will appear. While she will feed the puppies, she must follow a nutritious diet to maintain lactation.
Therefore, pregnancy is a whole world with its own rules and prohibitions. Now you know a little more about why a dog behaves in a certain way at a certain period, how to help it comfortably live this stage in its life, and when contacting a veterinarian is a necessity, not a wish. We wish you and your pet healthy and happy puppies!
