PawMama - Dog Pregnancy Guide

By Bella Hi, it's Bella! The last days of a dog pregnancy can be exciting and a little scary for owners. Dogs usually give birth about 63 days after ovulation, and knowing the signs of labor helps you stay calm and be ready. Here is what to expect. Signs that labor is close (1 to 3 days before) She becomes restless, paces, or cannot settle Nesting: digging, scratching bedding, or hiding in a quiet corner She may eat less or refuse food Her belly looks lower, and her mammary glands may look fuller She may seek more attention, or want to be left alone The temperature drop About 12 to 24 hours before labor starts, a dog's body temperature often drops below 99°F (37.2°C). Many owners take her rectal temperature twice a day in the last week. Normal temperature is around 101°F to 102.5°F (38.3°C to 39.2°C). Ask your vet how to do this safely. The three stages of labor Stage 1 (6 to 12 hours, sometimes up to 24 in a first pregnancy): She is restless, panting, shivering, and may vomit....

 Hi, it's Bella! If you think your dog might be expecting, you are probably full of questions. Dog pregnancy lasts about 63 days (usually 58 to 68), and the first signs are easy to miss. Here is what to look for, week by week. Weeks 1 to 3: very few signs In the first weeks, most dogs look and act normal. Some may eat a little less or sleep more, but these changes are small and can be caused by other things too. Weeks 3 to 4: the first clues Slightly bigger, pinker nipples A clear, thin discharge from the vulva Mild morning sickness or a lower appetite for a few days A calmer, more cuddly mood Weeks 5 to 6: signs become clearer Her appetite increases She starts gaining weight Her belly begins to swell She gets tired more quickly on walks Weeks 7 to 9: getting ready A rounder belly and clearly bigger nipples Nesting behavior: digging, gathering blankets, or hiding in quiet corners You may feel or see puppies moving in her belly She may seem restless close to the due date How to know...

When Bella got pregnant, one of the first things I did was create a mental calendar to track exactly what was happening inside her body each week. Dog pregnancies move fast — only about 63 days total — so knowing what to expect week by week helped me prepare properly and catch any issues early. Here's the complete week-by-week breakdown I wish I'd had from day one. How Long Are Dogs Pregnant For The average dog pregnancy, also called gestation, lasts approximately 63 days from conception, though it can range anywhere from 58 to 68 days depending on the dog. Smaller breeds sometimes deliver slightly earlier, while larger breeds may go a few days longer. Because the exact day of conception isn't always known (especially with natural mating over several days), due dates are always estimates rather than exact predictions. Week 1-2: Fertilization and Early Development During these first two weeks, fertilized eggs are traveling to the uterus and beginning to implant. There are no...

When Bella's puppies started teething, I quickly learned that those tiny sharp teeth could do a lot of damage to hands, furniture, and pretty much anything within reach! Puppy biting is one of the most common — and most frustrating — challenges new puppy owners face. The good news is that it's completely normal and, with the right approach, very manageable. Here's everything I learned about handling puppy biting the right way, based on real experience raising Bella's litter from newborns to confident, gentle puppies. Why Do Puppies Bite So Much It's a Natural Part of Development Puppies explore the world with their mouths, similar to how human babies explore with their hands. Biting, nipping, and mouthing are completely normal behaviors, especially during the teething phase which typically runs from about 3 to 6 months of age. Almost every puppy goes through this stage, regardless of breed or temperament. Teething Discomfort Just like human babies, puppies experienc...

One of the questions I worried about most during Bella's pregnancy was whether she was gaining the right amount of weight. Too little, and I worried about the puppies' health. Too much, and I worried about complications during delivery. After a lot of research and guidance from my vet, I finally understood what "normal" weight gain actually looks like during dog pregnancy — and I'm sharing everything I learned here. How Much Weight Should a Pregnant Dog Gain On average, a pregnant dog gains about 15-25% of her pre-pregnancy body weight by the time she delivers. So if Bella weighed around 60 lbs before pregnancy, a healthy weight gain would put her somewhere between 69-75 lbs by her due date. This can vary depending on litter size — more puppies generally means more weight gain. Breed size also plays a role, since larger breeds carrying big litters may gain proportionally more than small breeds with just one or two puppies. Weight Gain Timeline by Trimester First T...

 Watching Bella's puppies grow from tiny, helpless newborns into playful little balls of energy has been one of the most fascinating experiences of my life. Every week brought new changes — eyes opening, first steps, first barks. If you're expecting a litter soon or already have newborn puppies at home, here's a complete week-by-week guide to what you can expect during those crucial first two months. Week 1 — The Neonatal Stage What's Happening Newborn puppies are completely dependent on their mother during this first week. Their eyes and ears are sealed shut, and they can't regulate their own body temperature yet. Bella's puppies spent almost all their time sleeping and nursing, moving only to find a nipple or snuggle closer to their littermates for warmth. This stage is often called the neonatal period, and puppies typically double their birth weight within the first week alone. What You Should Do I kept the whelping box warm (around 85-90°F for the first few ...