The thought of having a house filled with cute, wriggling puppies is exciting. Yet, before that can happen, a pregnant dog must have a smooth gestation period first, meaning that she has a safe and comfortable pregnancy. But what does this entail?
The good news is that you don’t have to be an experienced breeder to ensure that a pregnant dog safely delivers her puppies. Regular vet appointments, offering a well-balanced diet, and creating a safe place to give birth all work toward a healthy mother and puppies.
First: Know When a Dog Is Pregnant
There are many signs that a dog could be pregnant. They won’t have morning sickness or crave pickles at 3am like humans, but once you know the signs, you’ll be able to spot a dog pregnancy a mile away. A pregnant dog often exhibits:
- A swollen belly. This is an obvious sign and arguably, the biggest tell as to whether a dog is expecting.
- An increase in appetite. A pregnant dog isn’t just eating for one!
- Weight gain. With the extra calorie intake and the weight of several puppies, it’s no surprise that pregnant dogs put on some pounds.
- Distended nipples. A pregnant dog will have enlarged nipples during her pregnancy to prepare for feeding her litter.
- Nesting. If you notice your dog gathering and being very protective of her toys, mostly in bed, this could be a sign of nesting.
Diagnosing a pregnant dog isn’t as easy as buying a drugstore urine test. You’ll have to schedule an appointment with your vet, who will run a series of examinations to confirm the presence of puppies.
Tips for Caring for a Pregnant Dog
It’s daunting to look after a pregnant pup, especially if it’s your dog’s first litter or you unknowingly adopted a pregnant dog. The important thing to remember is that it’s not complicated. In many cases, nature will do its work. Still, you should:
Ensure Your Dog Gets Lots of Rest
Make sure that your dog is getting plenty of rest. That doesn’t mean completely stop all walks and play sessions! But pregnancy can sap a dog of her energy. She’ll likely sleep most of the day, and given how much work motherhood is, she’ll need it!
Offer Adequate Nutrition
As mentioned above, your dog will need extra calories to support both her body and her puppies’. There are plenty of DIY diets for pregnant dogs that are rich in protein and offer the nutrition they need. Just be sure to run any dietary changes past your dog’s vet before implementation.
Preparing a Safe Whelping Space
A dog’s pregnancy lasts around 65 days, which is roughly two months. The birthing process in dogs is called “whelping.” There are many ways to make this a stress-free experience for your dog.
Get a sturdy box ready for your dog to give birth in. Make sure it’s wide enough for your dog as well as her puppies to be comfortable. It will also need to be low to the ground. Line it with newspaper to absorb the birthing fluid and if possible, place a blanket that your dog is attached to. The familiar smell will put her at ease.
Remind everyone in the house that your dog is due to give birth any day now. If there are children in the home, tell them not to get her too excited, especially when she is close to giving birth. Some dogs will stay close to their owners, but others will want their own space.
As the due date draws nearer, make sure there’s a vet’s number nearby for emergencies. It’s a good idea to do some research on what birthing complications look like and how to help your dog if necessary. But remember, birth is a natural process and as long as you don’t interfere, everything will go smoothly. Try and remain as calm as possible so you don’t cause any unnecessary stress to the birthing dog.
As long as these steps are followed, you should have a healthy litter of puppies and a proud mother dog at the end of the whelping. Remember: ethical breeding is never at the cost of a female dog’s health and happiness. Make sure she is your primary concern before any pregnancy occurs.
Schedule Regular Vet Visits
Humans need to see their doctor several times throughout their pregnancy to ensure everything is progressing smoothly. And dogs are the same. A vet will be able to tell if there are any complications with a litter and advise you on how to prepare a birthing space at home.
