PawMama - Dog Pregnancy Guide

By Bella Hi, it's Bella! One of the first questions owners ask when their dog is expecting is, "When will the puppies arrive?" The short answer is about 63 days. The longer answer is that the exact day can shift by several days, and knowing why helps you stay calm and prepared. In this guide we will look at how long a dog pregnancy really lasts, how to work out a due date, what makes it earlier or later, and what to do if your dog goes past her date. The short answer: about 63 days A normal dog pregnancy lasts around 63 days, which is about nine weeks. In practice, most dogs give birth somewhere between 58 and 68 days after ovulation, and sometimes a little outside that range. That is a wide window, and that is exactly why you should never mark a single date on the calendar and expect the puppies on that day. Think of it as a due period of about a week, not a due day. Why is it hard to give an exact date People often count from the day the dogs mated. This is where the co...

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...