How Long are Dogs Pregnant?

How much do you really know about dog pregnancy?

When your “dam” (the female parent) gets pregnant, the official term for their labor is “whelping.” The more about this process you know, the better you will be able to support your dog through it. Labor can be as stressful a time for your dog as it is for you, so education is key to ensuring it is as happy and healthy a process as possible.

DOG PREGNANCY LENGTH

How long are dogs pregnant?

In all, dogs are pregnant for around 63 days. That’s approximately two months after breeding.

To best predict your dog’s due date, you’ll need a good idea of her heat cycle. If her date of ovulation is known, you can calculate this quite easily. A certain threshold of progesterone will indicate ovulation. Your veterinarian will be able to measure this progesterone. 

From this progesterone-high date, almost 63 days exactly (give or take one or two days in either direction) will elapse before she gives birth.

Compared to the typical 9 months of human pregnancy, this timeline may seem short. However, there’s a lot you need to do within that period of time with your dog.

Don’t stress, we’ll walk you through the steps to take.

WHAT TO DO AT EACH STAGE OF WHELPING PROCESS

Starting from breeding, here are the actions you must take as a dog owner to help your dam:

 

1. Schedule X-Rays 45 days from breeding date to determine the size of the litter.

2. Switch your dog to puppy food to support growth.

3. Avoid calcium-rich foods or supplements as this may cause complications.

4. Keep your dog away from other dogs and ensure her immune system is not compromised.

5. Monitor your dog’s temperature daily.

HOW TO KNOW IF YOUR DOG IS GOING INTO LABOR

One to two days from labor, your dog’s temperature will drop 1 - 2 degrees Fahrenheit (normal temp should be around 100-102.5 degrees Fahrenheit). She will also become restless, lose appetite, and produce discharge.

This marks the beginning of Stage 1 Labor, which lasts between 4 - 36 hours. This is marked by restlessness, panting, shivering, and milk production.

Stage 2 Labor is the contraction phase. This is quite quick, and should only take around 30-60 minutes between puppy deliveries. The process as a whole, depending on how large the litter is, can last between 1 - 24 hours.

Stage 3 is the placenta delivery. It is common for “two fetuses to be born followed by two placenta,” and your dog may have the urge to consume the placenta after it releases. This is not dangerous.

Ensure you have prepared a whelping box to support the newborns and mother. This should be comfortable with high walls so puppies cannot escape. Allow the mother solitude so she may recover.

To learn more about your dogs at all stages of their life, be sure to keep an eye on this blog page and sign up for our newsletter. You can shop Dog Rocks now, right on our website.