Welcoming a new litter of puppies into your house is always exciting, but it's good to be prepared and know what to expect when your dog is pregnant. Understanding the physical changes that happen to your dog during her gestation period will help you to provide the kind of diet, lifestyle and veterinary support needed to ensure a successful pregnancy. (Just so you know you have about 9 weeks from the start of her pregnancy to shop for new toys for new puppies!) Show How Long Are Dogs Pregnant?► Dog gestation period—approximately nine weeks The average dog gestation is 63 to 65 days, measured from ovulation. (This does not always match the exact day of breeding.) This makes a dog’s gestation period around nine weeks long. Remember that female dogs may go through a false pregnancy due to normal hormone cycles. False pregnancies may look an awful lot like true pregnancies which is why pregnancy tests for dogs are so important (see below). Three Weeks Into Pregnancy► First signs of pregnancy—poor appetite and/or vomiting Starting about three weeks after mating, watch for morning sickness. Your dog may feel nauseous due to the hormone progesterone plus the effect of ligaments stretching as the puppies implant and grow. Some dogs will vomit; others simply skip meals or pick at them. The nausea usually only lasts a few days, and then your dog’s appetite comes right back. Four Weeks Into Pregnancy► Schedule pregnancy test—ultrasound is usually best Most dog breeders schedule an ultrasound exam around 28 days into the pregnancy. A very skilled palpator may be able to feel “puppy bumps” before that, but too much pressure can harm the puppies. An ultrasound is a very safe pregnancy test for dogs. An ultrasound exam will differentiate a false pregnancy from a real pregnancy and will give you a rough idea of the number of puppies you should prepare for. No anesthesia is needed. Your girl simply lies quietly (she may need a belly shave) and gets some gel applied to her abdomen. Most veterinarians encourage you to be present to keep her relaxed and happy. Ultrasounds are notorious for undercounting the number of puppies, but heartbeats can be seen. A good ultrasound reader can tell if the puppies appear to be alive and doing well. There are a couple of blood tests that can also give you pregnancy verification. These look for hormones such as relaxin or other proteins present during pregnancy. These tests would also be run at about 30 days, so most breeders choose to simply go with the ultrasound, which provides more information. Five to Seven Weeks Into PregnancyAs your dog’s pregnancy progresses, changes start coming on at a much quicker rate. Here's what to be aware of:
Eight to Nine Weeks Into PregnancyYour girl is getting close! It’s time for some final preparations before the big day:
Puppies are arriving soon! Stay near your girl to provide reassurance and encouragement, and keep your veterinarian’s phone number close at hand in case you have any questions or concerns. Congratulations! Dog Gestation FAQsQ: How long is a dog's gestation period? A: On average, a dog’s gestation period is 63 to 65 days, measured from when she ovulates. This does not always match the exact day of breeding. In general, dogs stay pregnant for about nine weeks. Q: When do pregnant dogs start showing? A: Pregnant dogs start showing at around six weeks. Her abdomen will become rounder and eventually drop (hang closer to the ground). These changes are more noticeable the more puppies she is carrying. Q: When do pregnant dogs start nesting? A: Pregnant dogs start nesting anywhere from a few days to a few hours before they give birth. Q: When do pregnant dogs get milk? A: Pregnant dogs get milk a few days before giving birth. You may notice a milky fluid leaking from her nipples. Expert input provided by Dr. Deb M. Eldredge, DVM, and Dr. Jennifer Coates, DVM. There are no “stupid” questions when it comes to your pet’s health. If you suspect your pet is sick, please call your vet immediately. For health-related questions, always consult your regular veterinarian when possible as they can make the best recommendations for your pet. (If you need help finding a vet near you, use this link.) When I squeeze my dogs nipples milk comes out?Female dogs spontaneously produce milk when they have given birth to puppies. This is a normal part of biological parenthood for any female mammal. Female dogs may also produce milk when experiencing a false pregnancy or when another creature attempts to nurse from her.
How do I know if my pregnant dog is producing milk?Physical changes are most obvious in the last 3 weeks of pregnancy, when the abdomen and breasts (mammary glands) begin to enlarge. In the days before birth, there may be a milky discharge from the nipples. You may notice behavioral changes in your dog during the last few weeks of pregnancy.
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