A dog’s pregnancy can be a very rewarding experience, but it’s important to know what to expect so that your pet and her puppies are healthy during the whole process.
The first few weeks are a delicate time for a pregnant dog, so you should be very careful with rough play and exercise. This is also when a dog’s appetite increases dramatically.
Feeding
During a dog pregnancy, feeding your pet the right food is a critical part of her care. This will ensure that she is getting the nutrition she needs to develop her puppies and produce milk for them to eat after they are born.
A pregnant dog should be fed a diet that is high in protein, fat and fatty acids. These nutrients are important for the development of her puppies and for her own health.
The diet should be fortified with EPA and DHA fatty acids to help her puppy’s brain grow properly. These nutrients can be found in fish oil supplements or foods such as fatty fish.
During the last week of her pregnancy, your dog will need less food than usual. This is a normal, healthy symptom that she is nearing the end of her pregnancy.
Health Checkup
A health checkup is a great way to ensure your dog’s well being throughout her pregnancy. This can include checking the number of puppies she is expecting, her medical history and any medications she may be taking.
During a checkup, your veterinarian will perform a physical exam, palpate her abdomen and mammary glands, and take blood and urine samples. Depending on her history, she may also need to perform a vaginoscopy.
Your vet will also want to know her history, including any previous pregnancies and her diet. She will also want to test for fetal material or puppies expelled from her uterus, which can indicate a problem.
A veterinary ultrasound can confirm a first-time pregnancy from around three weeks, and x-rays will allow your veterinarian to count the puppies in her womb after 45 days into the pregnancy. This will allow her to plan for a safe and successful delivery of her puppies.
Labor
For How Long Are Dogs Pregnant? She needs a little extra care and attention. During this time, she’ll need to change her diet and get more regular parasite treatments.
She may need more exercise than usual, too. Try to keep her walks short and gentle – more frequent exercise can make her tired and achy, especially in the final trimester.
As labor approaches, she’ll likely look for a quiet place to settle in, such as her nesting box or kiddy pool (with clean towels on top). She may pant and whimper or move around as if uncomfortable.
A dog’s temperature will also drop a degree or two before labor starts. To check, lubricate a rectal thermometer and insert it about half an inch into her abdomen.
If your dog’s temperature drops to 99 degrees Fahrenheit or lower, it’s a good idea to call the vet immediately. Other signs to watch out for include the birth starting too early or too late, a fetal sack with no puppies in it, fewer than three puppies, or contractions that reduce or stop.
Delivery
Your dog is going through major body changes during pregnancy. These include a change in appetite, increased activity, and enlargement of her mammary glands.
She’ll also gain significant amounts of weight. This is especially true in the last three weeks of pregnancy.
To keep her healthy, it’s important to make sure she doesn’t eat too much or drink too little during this time. Keeping her hydrated will help her give birth safely and effectively.
A whelping box should be prepared early in the pregnancy, so she has somewhere comfortable to deliver her pups. This box should be quiet and secluded from other family members.
During delivery, she will strain a lot and may yelp or whimper in pain. This is normal, but if she’s in extreme or abnormal pain, call your veterinarian as soon as possible.
If you notice a dark green or bloody discharge during her delivery, seek immediate veterinary care. This is caused by canine herpesvirus, which causes a minor cold in adult dogs but can cause abortion in pregnancy and death in newborn puppies.
