How long does pregnancy last in dogs?

How to tell if a dog is pregnant or not

Signs of pregnancy appear in dogs 2-3 weeks after mating. These include:

• nipple enlargement;
• changes in eating behavior;
• unusual aggression and isolation or, conversely, excessive attention to the owner;
• drowsiness;
• decreased activity;
• signs of toxicosis;
• increased frequency of urination, incontinence;
• clear vaginal discharge;
• increase in abdominal volume.

If mating has occurred, and there are no signs of pregnancy within a month, the dog can be taken to a veterinarian who knows how to understand that the dog is pregnant. He will take a blood test and accurately determine whether your pet is expecting puppies.

Duration of pregnancy in different dogs

How long a dog bears puppies depends on the breed of the pet. The larger the breed, the more time it takes to form the fetus. On average, pregnancy lasts up to 60 days for small dogs, up to 65 for medium-sized dogs, and up to 72 for large dogs. The period is counted from the last mating.

The timing of how long pregnant dogs walk is approximate - the exact duration of gestation of puppies depends on the size of the mother, her diet, lifestyle, activity, and heredity.

In the middle ones

Medium-sized animals usually carry between 60 and 63 days . These deadlines rarely move up or down. However, this may be affected by:

• Pathologies.
• Hormonal imbalances.
• Excessive loads.
• Sudden weight loss.
• Excessive weight gain.
• Injury.
• Old or too young age.

If the bitch clearly intends to give birth prematurely, it is necessary to inform the attending physician, since such births rarely occur without complications. The presence of a specialist will help preserve the offspring and the mother.

Factors influencing gestational age

The duration of gestation of puppies depends on many factors.

1. Number of previous births. The first pregnancy will be significantly longer than subsequent ones. The difference can be up to 7 days.
2. Pet activity. If the dog is active, she will most likely give birth to puppies earlier.
3. Age and size. Small dogs give birth faster than large ones. And animals aged 7-8 years bear their offspring longer.
4. Number of puppies. The more puppies in the litter, the shorter the pregnancy. If there are few of them, they grow larger and take longer to form.

Labor did not start on time

It may happen that the dog's pregnancy has already passed, but labor does not begin. This often happens during the first pregnancy and in older dogs. This option is also possible if pregnancy occurs with pathologies.

In this case, you need to contact a veterinarian who will examine the pet, determine its condition and, if necessary, prescribe induction of pregnancy. If this is not done, inflammatory processes may begin: then both the puppies and their mother will die.

How to care for a pregnant dog

In order for the pregnancy to be easy and the offspring to be born healthy, the dog must be given special care.

Feeding

The feeding regimen after pregnancy will have to be adjusted, because now the dog must provide all its offspring with useful substances. But you need to change the diet only 3-4 weeks after mating and pregnancy - if you overfeed your pet, she may have a miscarriage, become obese, and worsen chronic diseases.

After the first month of pregnancy, the amount of food should be gradually increased. By the time of delivery, half the standard volume should be added to the serving size. If your dog refuses to eat, you should not force him to eat. It is better to carefully monitor her behavior and feed her as soon as her appetite awakens.

If your dog has a balanced diet, then there is no need to change it or introduce new foods. For animals on ready-made food, you need to switch to special mixtures for pregnant women - they contain all the useful substances necessary for this situation. For those who eat natural food, it is better to start giving special vitamins. They are prescribed only by a doctor.

During pregnancy, dogs often become thirsty, so you need to provide them with constant access to water. It is better to place several additional drinking bowls around the apartment, especially in those places where your pet most often visits. The water needs to be changed every 12 hours.

Walking and activity

A pregnant dog definitely needs to go for a walk to breathe fresh air, gain strength and relax. Because of their position, they get tired faster, so long hikes should be avoided. It is better to walk more often, but less time.

You also need to monitor the dog’s activity while walking. Most often, they themselves feel when they need to run less, but young animals can overestimate their position. In this case, it is better to take the pet home. Also, you should not allow your dog to play with other animals - they can accidentally harm it and even cause a miscarriage.

Hygiene

A pregnant dog’s hygiene needs to be monitored more carefully, since due to its position it is more difficult for it to take care of itself. It is better not to bathe her unless absolutely necessary - choosing the appropriate water temperature will be difficult, especially since not everyone can easily tolerate water treatments.

You especially need to monitor her genitals - clear liquid may be released from them. If the dog does not lick itself, then you need to wash it with warm water. This should not be done two weeks before giving birth.

Some people may experience incontinence during pregnancy. You cannot scold an animal for this; you need to clean up after it as quickly as possible so as not to provoke the appearance of parasites. After giving birth, the dog's behavior will return to normal.

Preparing for childbirth

Further, knowing how long a dog carries puppies , labor may begin suddenly, and the owners may not have enough time to quickly collect everything they need. Therefore, tools need to be prepared in advance. For everything to go smoothly, you will need:

• clean towels;
• gloves;
• cotton wool;
• alcohol;
• a box lined with unwanted blankets;
• scales for weighing puppies.

Sometimes the intervention of a veterinarian may be necessary, so you need to find one in advance and agree on a possible call. You cannot do without the help of specialists if the dog is small, the pregnancy was difficult, or complications arose during previous births.

Main features

The course of pregnancy in a purebred dog is not much different from its wild relatives. The symptoms exhibited by the expectant mother coincide with those exhibited by other members of the canine family:

• Increased apathy.
• Increased sleep time.
• Improved appetite.
• The mammary glands change color and begin to enlarge; just before childbirth, colostrum is released from them. The fur falls out all around.
• The abdomen gradually increases, starting from the ribs. A month after the expected date of conception, puppies can already be felt by palpation.
• Behavior changes to restless, sometimes even aggressive.
• Trying to build a “nest”

This is a very important stage in a pet’s life, so its owner must pay maximum attention to her and her needs.

Pathologies of pregnancy in dogs

Despite the fact that most often pregnancy and childbirth go smoothly, you need to be prepared for sudden situations.

Ectopic pregnancy

A pregnancy is called ectopic if one or more fetuses develop in the body rather than in the uterus. This is a dangerous condition that can threaten the life and health of both the mother and offspring. It manifests itself as severe toxicosis, pain, and a noticeable decrease in the animal’s activity. In this case, you need to contact a veterinarian: he will be able to alleviate the pet’s condition, explain how to behave in this situation, and deliver the baby as safely as possible.

False pupishness

In this state, the dog behaves as if it were pregnant, but it is not expecting puppies. This can happen either after an unsuccessful mating or in the absence of sexual intercourse. Your pet should definitely be shown to a doctor: this is a sign of hormonal problems that can cause serious illness.

Frozen pregnancy

With this diagnosis, pregnancy begins normally, but for some reason the puppies die in the womb. If you do not get rid of them, the dog will become inflamed and die. Signs of fading include:

• temperature increase;
• vomiting or diarrhea;
• lack of movement in the abdomen.

If such symptoms appear, you need to show the animal to a veterinarian as soon as possible.

If the dog paces

If labor does not occur 65-70 days after the last mating, you should consult a doctor. He will determine the reasons for the delay and, if necessary, stimulate the labor process. Under no circumstances should you try to provoke it at home, either with pills or mechanical force.

Development calendar by week

The average duration of gestation from the moment of mating is 9 weeks, during which amazing changes occur in the body of the expectant mother.

Standard development goes like this:

• Fertilization occurs. This does not necessarily happen on the day of mating, sometimes the egg is not yet ready, but this does not mean that the mating will be unsuccessful, since sperm are able to survive for 7 days inside the female body. Externally, the processes do not manifest themselves in any way.
• The eggs form microscopic embryos and travel to the uterus . If everything goes well, then with the help of special villi the puppies are attached to the walls and the placenta is formed. The size of living organisms is less than 1 cm.
• One of the most important stages . All basic systems are laid down in small organisms. It is extremely important to ensure that the mother is calm and free from physical fatigue. It is also worth postponing any vaccinations, treatments against parasites and taking potent drugs of any kind for the future. Any intervention now could harm future dogs. The first external signs begin to appear. The nipples gradually swell, and the fur around them thins out.
• The skeleton and teeth are formed. You can do an ultrasound or feel the embryos by palpation. The dog becomes lethargic and lazy and tries to move less. Gastronomic whims appear. The diet and feeding schedule are changing. Portions are now smaller, but issued more often.
• Vibrissae appear. The mother calms down and prepares the den. The belly is growing quickly.
• Fur and eyes appear, genital organs are formed , future animals are actively growing, and with them the pregnant woman. The amount of food should be increased, but beware of overfeeding, it will also have an extremely negative effect.
• Due to the growing babies, the uterus expands significantly and occupies 2/3 of the abdominal cavity. The number of feedings is increased to 5 times a day, physical activity is eliminated as much as possible, leaving only leisurely walks in the fresh air. The mammary glands significantly increase in size and change color. The fur around them falls out completely.
• Severe anxiety appears. If the dog is not going to give birth for the first time, then milk appears already at this stage. Build a special place - a box and a pen for your pet, and show them to her. She must get used to this place and consider it completely safe. Try not to leave her alone for a long time, this creates a stressful situation.
• At this time, labor begins. To know in advance what is coming, constantly measure your temperature. In about a day it will drop by several degrees. And 9-5 hours before the onset of labor, the bitch may begin to refuse food.

If you are not an experienced breeder and are experiencing this for the first time, then it is worth regularly seeing a veterinarian throughout the entire period, and also warn him about the beginning of the birth process, so that if something goes wrong, he can provide the necessary assistance.

When to deworm a pregnant dog

It is not recommended to give deworming tablets to a dog in this position. It is better to carry out the treatment at least 14 days before mating. If this was not done on time, it is better to postpone the procedure until after childbirth. If worms cause severe discomfort to the animal, you can give her tablets no earlier than after the 40th day after mating. Under no circumstances should you buy the pills yourself. First you need to show your pet to a doctor: he will determine the need for treatment and select a special drug that will not harm the puppies.

Termination of pregnancy in dogs

Sometimes the owners decide to terminate the pregnancy. This is used if the pet runs away during heat, if the pregnancy is not proceeding correctly, or in the event of a mating of a small bitch with a large male. The procedure cannot be carried out without a doctor’s prescription - this can lead to complications and even death of the animal.

The easiest way is hormone therapy. The veterinarian gives pills that prevent the fetus from implanting in the uterus, and abortion occurs within 7 days. The procedure is carried out only in the first month, it does not harm health and does not interfere with further reproduction. In some cases, surgery is performed to remove the fetuses. This is more dangerous and is most often carried out only for health reasons - in case of a frozen or large pregnancy.

In large

The duration of pregnancy in representatives of large breeds is usually longer than in others. The larger the animal, the more time it takes for the fruits to fully form.

Usually, when managing a pregnancy, birth is set on the 65th day after the expected conception, but this is only the most likely date. There are actually several influencing factors:

• Sizes of the female.
• Genetics.
• The number of puppies is one of the most serious factors. The more there are, the faster the bitch will give birth. And with low fertility, the pet carries to term until 75 days.
• Deviations associated with diseases or hormonal imbalances.

Representatives of large breeds are often unpretentious compared to their smaller relatives, so they maintain a good appetite and lead a fairly active lifestyle until birth.

Physical activity undoubtedly needs to be reduced, but this does not interfere with constant walking. If the pet lives in an enclosure, it is necessary to take care of additional insulation of the booth and arranging a special pen for puppies. Carry out additional disinfection.

Last days before giving birth

Before giving birth, the dog's behavior changes. She sleeps more, doesn’t want to go outside, and doesn’t move much. Animals often scratch with their claws, looking for a secluded corner to give birth to their offspring. At this time, it is imperative to arrange a comfortable place for childbirth and get used to it. Within a few days, the animals become calmer, and immediately before contractions, on the contrary, they become restless and nervous. The owner should be nearby, but not worry the dog or intrude. You should not force feed her or take her for a walk.

In small

Pregnant babies are exposed to the greatest impact. Due to their size and structure of the body, during the period of gestation, the uterus increases so much that it strongly presses the stomach. When a bitch is pregnant and cannot carry a full portion, this is fraught with vomiting and digestive problems.

Therefore, as soon as the first signs appear, owners of decorative dogs completely change the menu and diet, reducing portions, increasing the number of feedings and selecting more nutritious, although light, foods. It is very important at this time to choose the most balanced diet, because the bitch’s further well-being and ability to feed babies depends on this.

The gestation period for small dogs lasts on average 60 days , but if a large number of fruits are formed, this time may be reduced.

Another distinctive feature is temperature change . At the last stage, a few days before the onset of labor, the temperature drops. If at this moment the necessary comfortable conditions are not created around her, there is a possibility of hypothermia and future health problems.

How many puppies does a dog give birth to?

On average, bitches give birth to 3 to 8 puppies, but the exact number depends on the circumstances and the breed. During the first pregnancy, 1-3 babies are most often born, and in subsequent ones - 5-6. With age, the female's fertility decreases again.

It is believed that the smaller the dog, the fewer puppies it will produce. They rarely give birth to more than 3-4 young. The exceptions are Jack Russells, Pekingese and Dachshunds - they can bring 6-7 kids.

Large dogs can give birth to up to 10 puppies. This litter is most often found in Labradors, Shepherds, Alabais, and St. Bernards. Other breeds are limited to 8-9 kids. But Dalmatians are considered the most fertile - they can give birth to even 13-15 puppies.

Pregnancy in a dog is an exciting event for which you need to be well prepared. Your pet needs to be fed more, not worried and not physically stressed. And in order to have time to prepare for childbirth, you need to know how long a dog’s pregnancy lasts: it depends on the breed, age and number of puppies in the litter.