Signs That Your Dog is About to Give Birth

As your dog's due date gets closer, the anticipation can feel almost overwhelming. You find yourself watching her constantly, wondering — is today the day? Knowing exactly what signs to look for in the hours and days before labor begins can make all the difference between being caught off guard and being fully prepared when the moment finally arrives.

When Bella was approaching her due date I barely slept for the last three days. I was checking on her every few hours, watching for every little change. Looking back, knowing the signs helped me stay calm instead of panicking — and I want the same for you.

Here is everything you need to know about the signs that your dog is about to give birth.

Sign 1: The Temperature Drop

This is the single most reliable sign that labor is coming within the next 12 to 24 hours. A dog's normal body temperature sits between 101 and 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. In the 24 hours before labor begins her temperature will drop significantly — down to around 98 or 99 degrees Fahrenheit.

Start taking your dog's rectal temperature twice daily from around day 58 of pregnancy — once in the morning and once in the evening. Write the numbers down each time. When you see that drop you will know labor is very close.

This temperature reading is the most accurate early warning system available to you. Do not skip it.

Sign 2: Loss of Appetite

In the 24 to 48 hours before labor begins most pregnant dogs will suddenly lose interest in food. A dog that has been eating enthusiastically throughout her pregnancy may walk away from her bowl completely or barely touch her food.

This is her body preparing for labor — digestion slows down and her energy is redirected toward the birthing process. Do not try to force her to eat. Keep fresh water available at all times and let her body do what it needs to do.

Sign 3: Nesting Behavior Intensifies

Throughout the later weeks of pregnancy your dog may have shown some nesting behavior — rearranging her bedding, circling her sleeping spot, or seeking out quiet corners. In the final 24 to 48 hours before labor this behavior becomes much more intense and urgent.

She may scratch frantically at her bedding or the floor, carry soft items to her whelping box, pace between rooms looking for the perfect spot, or dig at carpet or furniture. She is following a powerful instinct to prepare a safe place for her puppies.

If she is not already settled in her whelping box this is the time to gently encourage her toward it. Make sure it is lined with clean soft bedding and placed in a quiet private area.

Sign 4: Restlessness and Inability to Settle

A dog that is about to go into labor will often seem unable to get comfortable. She may get up and lie down repeatedly, change positions every few minutes, pace around the room, and seem generally unsettled and anxious.

This restlessness is caused by early uterine contractions beginning as her body prepares for active labor. It can last anywhere from a few hours to most of a day before the actual delivery begins.

Stay calm around her. Your energy directly affects how relaxed or anxious she feels. Speak to her softly and sit near her so she knows you are there.

Sign 5: Heavy Panting

Panting is one of the most visible signs that labor is approaching. Your dog may begin panting heavily even when she is not hot and has not been exercising. This panting is driven by physical discomfort from early contractions and the hormonal changes happening in her body.

As labor gets closer the panting often becomes more intense and more continuous. Combined with restlessness and temperature drop this is a very strong signal that delivery is imminent.

Sign 6: Shivering or Trembling

Some dogs shiver or tremble noticeably in the hours before and during early labor. This is not necessarily a sign that something is wrong — it is often simply a physical response to the hormonal and physical changes happening in the body as labor begins.

If the shivering is mild and your dog is otherwise showing normal pre-labor signs there is no cause for alarm. However if the trembling is severe, continuous, or accompanied by collapse or weakness contact your vet immediately as this could indicate a more serious problem.

Sign 7: Vaginal Discharge

A clear or slightly cloudy vaginal discharge may appear in the hours before labor begins. This is normal and simply indicates that the cervix is beginning to dilate in preparation for delivery.

However if you see heavy green or black discharge before any puppy has been delivered this is a warning sign that needs immediate veterinary attention. A small amount of greenish discharge appearing alongside or just before a puppy is normal — but before any puppy arrives it is not.

Sign 8: Seeking Isolation and Privacy

Many dogs become very private and withdrawn in the hours before labor. A dog that normally follows you everywhere may suddenly want to be alone — hiding under the bed, going to a quiet corner, or retreating to her whelping box and refusing to come out.

This is a strong natural instinct. In the wild a dog would seek a hidden, enclosed space to give birth away from potential danger. Respect this need for privacy. Do not force her to stay near you or around other people if she is clearly seeking solitude.

Make sure her whelping box feels like the safest, most private option available to her so she chooses it over hiding under furniture.

Sign 9: Licking and Grooming the Belly Area

As labor approaches many dogs begin licking their belly and genital area more frequently than usual. This is instinctive behavior — she is cleaning and preparing herself for the birth.

You may also notice the area around her vulva looks slightly swollen or relaxed. This is normal and indicates that the body is physically preparing for the puppies to pass through the birth canal.

Sign 10: Visible Contractions

In the final stage before active labor begins you may be able to see or feel gentle contractions. The belly may visibly tighten and then relax in a rhythmic pattern. Your dog may strain slightly or her breathing may change noticeably during each contraction.

When contractions become strong and regular and your dog begins actively straining and pushing, active labor has begun and the first puppy should arrive within 30 to 60 minutes. If strong straining continues for more than 45 minutes without a puppy being delivered contact your vet immediately.

What to Do When You See These Signs

When you notice the signs of approaching labor there are a few important things to do right away:

Make sure the whelping box is freshly lined with clean bedding

Have extra towels, clean scissors, and dental floss ready in case you need to assist

Save your vet's emergency number somewhere easy to find

Cancel any plans that would take you away from home

Stay calm — your dog needs your steady presence more than anything else

My Personal Experience

With Bella the temperature drop was what told me everything. For three days her temperature had been steady at around 101.5 degrees. Then one morning I checked and saw 98.2 degrees on the thermometer. My heart jumped.

Within hours she stopped eating, started panting, and became completely unable to settle. She kept going into her whelping box, circling, scratching at the towels, and coming back out again. By that evening she had gone into active labor and by midnight all five puppies had arrived safely.

Those signs were so clear once I knew what to look for. I just had to be watching closely enough to see them.

Final Thoughts 

Your dog cannot tell you when labor is coming — but her body will. The temperature drop, the loss of appetite, the restlessness, the panting, the nesting — these are her way of telling you that the moment is near.

Watch her closely in those final days. Stay home. Stay calm. Have everything prepared. And when those signs appear — be there for her completely.

She has trusted you throughout this entire pregnancy. Be the support she needs when it matters most.

For more dog pregnancy and whelping guides, keep exploring PawMama!

My dog Bella is such a wonderful and loving companion. During her pregnancy, I noticed how she became even more gentle and trusting. Watching her settle into the whelping box I had built for her was one of the most touching moments I have experienced as a dog owner. She sniffed every corner, circled around a few times, and then lay down peacefully — as if she knew this was her safe place.
Building that box for her did not take much time or money, but it gave her exactly what she needed — security, warmth, and a space that was truly hers. If you are preparing for your dog's delivery, please do not skip this step. Your dog cannot ask for what she needs, but she trusts you completely to provide it.
That trust is the most beautiful thing about being a dog mama.