Dog Pregnancy
November 15, 2008
Is My Dog Pregnant?
Dog Heat Cycle Also Called “In Season”
Before I get into the stages, dog pregnancy signs, dog pregnancy symptoms and the what to dos of your dogs pregnancy lets talk a second about your dog heat cycle or dog cycle.
In your pet pregnancy we all know that female dogs (known as bitches) become pregnant when they are in their heat cycle, sometimes called “in season“. You can consider your dog heat to be for about 21 days. Seven days coming into heat, 7 days in heat, and 7 days going out.
In your dog pregnancies the first sign of a female dog coming into their dog season is swelling of the Vulva. You may see her licking herself or start humping just about anything she can find. She will begin dark red bleeding from the vagina. If you have a male dog in the house for sure he will let you know really quickly that she is in heat.
Good thing to know about dogs and pregnancy is you should not breed your female within her first cycle because her eggs could be immature. Breeding her in the third cycle is best. The female dog comes into heat twice a year. She can come into heat at 4 to 8 months, some every 6 months.
Just remember that not all mother’s follow these patterns, and for sure mother nature doesn’t always follow the rules.
Signs Of Dog Pregnancy - Symptoms of Dog Pregnancy
The next thing I would like to talk about in your signs of dog pregnancy is how you can tell that your dog is pregnant. Since I only have one page for this article I will just list some of the signs here and post some other articles about each sign and stages later.
- Vaginal Discharge – one month after mating.
- Decreased Appetite – One of the first signs.
- Nipple Growth – Real good sign of dog pregnancy.
- Behavior Changes – Increase In Affection
- Abdomen Enlarges – 45-50 days into dogs pregnancy.
After about a month after mating you should be able to tell whether or not your bitch is pregnant and you know that you do not have a false dog pregnancy. One most important point to make is you need to see your veterinarians for confirmation. Your vet can tell by an ultrasound, feeling the abdomen and after about 25 days your vet can detect the pup’s heart beats. If needed your vet can pick up the skeletons of the puppies with an x-ray.
The Dog Gestation (Pregnant Dogs) Period
Does not matter what dog breeds or the size of the dogs dog gestation is the same, approximately nine weeks. Not to say that the canine gestation period may vary from dog to dog. It’s time to relax now because there really is not a lot for you to do during this time, just make sure she is feed good health food and some exercise.
Be very careful with giving your female dog supplements. This is debatable but supplements may actually throw off the careful balance of nutrients in your dogs diet. Some say it’s better to feed your dog premium dog food and also to increase the amount that you give her.
Just be sure to check with your vet on this issue to make sure that she has everything to keep herself and puppies health.
Exercise Your Dog During All Stages Of your Canine Pregnancy
Exercise is very important at all stages of Pregnant Dogs. Walking is the best exercise because it’s not to intense (not talking about a marathon here) and you do not want your dog to receive an injury that could endanger her pup’s. Unlike a cat pregnancy (because you don’t see to many cat’s on a leash) it’s a very good idea to have your dog on a leash, you don’t want your pregnant dog running off after something and hurting her puppies.
The bitch should be completely isolated from other dogs at home during the final 3 weeks. This means controlled or no walks during this period. Try to minimize your dog from jumping onto or off of high furniture.
Preparation For Your Dogs Delivery (Nesting)
What you want to do prior to the delivery of your dogs puppies (don’t get nervous now, it’s a peace of cake) get her whelping box ready and all the supplies together. This needs to be done before you look around and see your soon to be mom standing there whelping.
Here are some of the things that you will need:
- Whelping Box – This can be a cardboard open-topped box and put it somewhere familiar but private area for her to have her pups. The box needs to be high on the sides so the puppies can not get out. You can also use a wading pool which works just as well.
- Clean Towels or Blankets – Get lots of clean towels blankets, or sheets to make the mother feel more comfortable. These will be thrown away later. The stains will not come out.
- Clean Pair Of Scissors – Don’t panic but you may need a pair of scissors with alcohol just in case you have to cut the cords yourself.
Dog Labor and Delivery (Ok it’s time but don’t panic)
Even though this is the scary part in your dog birth you will more than likely not have to do mush of anything. Just have the items above ready and your vet’s phone number. It can be messes so wear clothes you can toss later.
Let’s talk about the 3 stages of the dog labor.
Labor Stage 1 - This stage of labor could last 6 to 12 hours. Your soon to mom will start to get restless. You may notice her to start panting, pacing around looking for her nest (which you have already prepared). You may want to place her in her box and she may start moving things around to get a comfortable bed. You could see her vomit and having contractions. At this time the cervixes is completely dilated.
Labor Stage 2 - This is the having baby stage. This is when the water sacks break and the puppy is born. The first puppy is usually delivered within 10 to 20 minutes. She could rest for up to an hour before she starts straining with the second puppy.
Labor Stage 3 – Now your puppies have been delivered and the lucky mom will settle down and start taking care of her pups. Her vulva will continue to discharge blood expelling any remaining placenta for several days after birth. Don’t panic this is normal.
Now that everything has settled down in your dog pregnancy you can feed her as mush as she wants all the extra meals that she wants.
CONGRATULATIONS you did it.
