Dog pregnancy is a wonderful and rewarding experience, but it’s also a time that requires preparation, care, and understanding. Every stage of a dog’s pregnancy, from its conception to delivery, will need your cooperation and participation.

Unlike humans, dogs have a somewhat short gestation period. This means changes happen quickly, and being attentive to your dog’s behavior and physical condition is crucial. From the first signs of pregnancy, making adjustments to her diet, or preparing for whelping, every step matters in supporting her and her growing pups.

How Long is a Dog Pregnancy Period?

A dog’s pregnancy period, or their gestation period, usually lasts for about 57 to 72 days. The average period is usually 63 days and is the same for all dog breeds and sizes. 

Stages of the Dog Pregnancy Period

Once conception occurs, the developing puppies go through rapid changes, and the mother’s body adapts to support their growth. Here’s what you can expect throughout a dog’s pregnancy period:

Weeks 1 to 2: Fertilization and Early Development

After mating, sperm fertilizes the eggs in the oviducts. The fertilized eggs, now called zygotes, begin dividing and forming embryos. Around days 7 to 14, these embryos make their way into the uterus and implant onto the uterine lining, where they’ll grow throughout the pregnancy. 

Signs of Pregnancy in Dogs

During this stage, your dog may show little to no visible changes. Some dogs might lose their appetite and feel less energetic. Additionally, your dog’s coat will be plush. She’ll also start to feel the need to sleep and lie down more often.

What You Should Do

It’s important to keep your dog in a regular exercise routine. Light to moderate activities such as daily walks around the city, playtime, and gentle runs are beneficial. Also, remember to let your dog eat healthy food, drink plenty of water, and rest properly, all while avoiding stress and diseases.

Weeks 3 to 4: Embryo Development

By the third week, the embryos will start to develop vital organs and bodily structures. This period in a dog’s pregnancy is critical for development, as the risk of miscarriage is higher during early pregnancy. 

Signs of Pregnancy in Dogs

Hormonal changes may cause mild morning sickness, and you might notice a slight increase in appetite or a need for extra rest. Your dog’s nipples may also start to enlarge slightly. It’s a good time to consult our vets to confirm pregnancy. Ultrasounds will be the key to detecting developing puppies.

What You Should Do 

When it comes to exercise, short walks are helpful. You’ll need to reduce this amount from the initial weeks to compensate for your dog’s growing belly. However, don’t overdo your dog’s exercise and it’ll be helpful to avoid any hot areas and pavements.

Weeks 5 to 6: Rapid Growth

The weeks 5 and 6 will mark a significant growth for your dog’s puppies. Their organs develop rapidly, and they start to resemble tiny puppies. By the end of week 6, the fetuses will have distinct features like toes, claws, and whisker buds. 

Signs of Pregnancy in Dogs

Your dog’s abdomen will start to enlarge noticeably, and her appetite will increase significantly. Morning sickness and vomiting might also be occasional events. You may also notice some form of behavioral changes in your dog, leaning toward a much calmer demeanor. 

White discharge can also be observed, but if this discharge is bloody or discolored, bring your dog to the clinic immediately.

What You Should Do

During this stage, be sure to limit your dog’s walks and reduce them by a lot compared to the previous weeks. Your dog’s pregnancy period is fast approaching, which is why it’s more helpful to focus on providing enough rest and comfort. 

Next, focus on her diet. Change her diet to high-quality puppy food at this stage so you can help her get the extra calories and nutrients needed to support her growing puppies. Offering smaller, more frequent meals can help accommodate her increased appetite and limited stomach space.

Weeks 7 to 8: Preparing for Birth

By weeks 7 and 8, the puppies are nearly fully developed and preparing for life outside the womb. Their fur starts to grow, and they become more active, often moving enough for you to feel their kicks. The puppies will have mostly developed by week 7. 

Signs of Pregnancy in Dogs

Your dog’s belly will be at its largest during week 8, and her nipples may leak milk as her body prepares for nursing. She may become restless and begin nesting, searching for a safe and comfortable place to give birth. 

What You Should Do

At this stage, reduce her physical activity and ensure she has access to plenty of water and nutritious food. Additionally, our vets recommend using more imaging techniques to detect the number of puppies inside your dog’s belly. By doing so, you’ll be able to prepare for delivery and know how many puppies to expect.

A whelping area is somewhere dogs prepare to give birth to their puppies. Make sure you help your dog prepare this safe space by cleaning the space and adding soft bedding. This allows her to be comfortable before, during, and after the delivery.

Week 9: Puppy Delivery

By the final week, the puppies are fully developed and ready to be born. This is the stage where your dog will stay in the whelping area and give birth to her cute and adorable offspring.

Signs of Pregnancy in Dogs

Your dog will show clear signs of impending labor, such as a drop in appetite, nesting behavior, and a decrease in body temperature about 12 to 24 hours before labor begins. 

She may appear restless, pant excessively, or pace as contractions start, signaling that the puppies are on their way. Keep our vet’s contact information handy in case of complications, and monitor her closely, but give her space to feel comfortable and secure as labor progresses.

What You Should Do

When it comes to the delivery process, it’s best to not interfere or touch your dog. Mother dogs are a natural when it comes to the delivery process. If you worry about your dog’s health, you can contact our vets for some assistance. The best thing you can do is monitor your dog’s condition and ready up a fresh, clean bowl of water nearby.

Nutritional Needs During the Dog Pregnancy Period

Your dog will need a healthy diet when as she progresses in her pregnancy. Providing high-quality food that helps nourish her and her babies will be one of the best things you can do to support her. Here’s what you can do to provide your pregnant dog’s nutritional needs:

High-Quality Puppy Food

Diet is important for the entire dog pregnancy period. Starting from the fourth or fifth week of pregnancy, we recommend switching to a high-quality puppy food. This type of food gives your dog more nutrients and calories to support the growth of her offspring. Additionally, look for those types that are easily digestible.

High-quality puppy food also helps nourish your dog without having to take in an excessive amount of food. This avoids complications from gaining excessive weight.

Portion Sizes

During the first few weeks of pregnancy, your dog’s calorie needs won’t change much, so you can continue feeding her usual portions. By the second half of her pregnancy, her caloric requirements will increase significantly. If you’re unsure of portions, be sure to ask our vets, and we’ll provide a meal plan.

But in short, you should gradually increase the amount of food for your dog. During the time around the fifth week, we recommend increasing the portion of your dog’s food by 10%. Make sure your dog eats her meals completely so there’ll be no complications during the dog pregnancy period. Gradually increase her portions as the weeks go by.

During the whole feeding process, it’ll be helpful to be with your dog as she eats. If she has trouble eating, make sure you help her eat as she needs these nutrients to make sure her puppies grow healthily.

Hydration Levels

Pregnant dogs may require more water to stay hydrated. Ensure fresh, clean water is always available, especially as her body works harder to support the growing litter. Additionally, you should also make sure your dog’s water bowls are regularly cleaned to avoid any diseases.

Weight Gain

While some weight gain is normal and healthy during a dog’s pregnancy period, excessive weight gain can lead to complications during delivery. It’s expected that a pregnant dog will gain weight the closer she is to her delivery period. This is because of the increased needs of the mother dog.

Monitor your dog’s body condition regularly and work with our vets to adjust her diet as needed to maintain a healthy weight. 

Conclusion

Every stage of a dog’s pregnancy period is an important part of the entire process. Each step allows your dog’s offspring to become strong and healthy puppies, which is why it’s important to be there for your best friend. 

By providing proper nutrition, creating a safe environment, and staying attentive to your dog’s needs, you can help make her pregnancy a smooth and joyful experience.