A week-by-week guide to pregnancy
Week one (days 0-7)
When your dog has mated during her heat cycle, fertilization can occur within a few days. Your veterinarian won’t be able to confirm the pregnancy until around day 25, however if she has fallen pregnant, she may show some signs of morning sickness. At this stage, you won’t need to make any changes to her diet or exercise regime.
Week two (days 7-14)
In week two, the fertilized eggs descend into the uterus and will begin developing into puppies. Again, no additional nutrients will be required at this stage as the embryos have not yet grown significantly in size.
Week three (days 14-21)
At this stage, the fetuses will have attached to the wall of the uterus. This will enable them to receive all the vital nutrients they need to develop and grow. You may see your dog’s appetite start to increase slightly, however you shouldn’t need to make any drastic changes to her diet. You may see changes in her mood and she may also start developing breast tissue.
Week four (days 21-28)
During the fourth week of pregnancy, the growing puppies are susceptible to developmental issues and defects. At this stage, it’s advisable to limit your dog’s everyday activity to gentle exercise and consult your veterinarian to check whether any dietary supplements are necessary. From around day 25, your veterinarian will be able to confirm the pregnancy by conducting an ultrasound scan, which will also help to determine the size of the litter and detect any abnormalities.
Week five (days 28-35)
During week five, as the amniotic fluid increases in the uterus, the puppies become much less vulnerable. You’ll now see your dog’s weight noticeably increasing, and you should start feeding her a diet which is specially formulated for growth or reproduction. It’s best to feed her little and often and gradually transition any changes in food over a period of a week to avoid upsetting her digestive system. At this stage, your veterinarian will be able to tell you the sex of the puppies by conducting an ultrasound.
Week six (days 35-42)
As she enters the final phase of gestation, your dog will continue to grow in size and her teats will become darker in color. She may want to eat more, however be sure to keep portion sizes small, as her rapidly growing puppies will press against her stomach and limit the amount of food she can eat at a time. There may also be a clear discharge from her vulva, which is perfectly normal at this stage.
Week seven (days 42-49)
By week seven, your dog will have started shedding hair on her abdomen and may have started producing her first milk, known as colostrum. She will be noticeably tired and her puppies will now be almost fully-formed. At this stage, it’s also time to prepare the area your dog will use for whelping. Choose a warm, quiet place and use a bed or box which is padded with plenty of linen. Try and encourage her to sleep there for the remainder of her pregnancy.
Week eight (days 49-57)
With only a week to go, you should be able to see and feel the puppies moving around when your dog is lying still. From this stage onwards, it’s important to limit any strenuous activity, as this could lead to premature labor. Your dog will now be producing milk and may seem restless or start digging in her whelping area. This behavior is known as nesting.
Week nine (days 57-65)
As she prepares for the birth, it’s likely your dog will become restless and will be spending a lot of time nesting in her whelping area. She may also lose her appetite as the time of whelping approaches. Ensure you take her temperature several times a day, as a drop in temperature from 100-101 to around 97 degrees Fahrenheit will indicate that her puppies will be arriving in the next 24 to 48 hours.
Whelping (the birth)
Whelping can last anything from a few minutes to several hours, and while many dog manage well by themselves, it’s important to monitor her every 15 minutes or so in case you need to intervene. If the contractions are unproductive or if you are in any way concerned about your dog, call your veterinarian for advice.
The first puppy will be born surrounded in an amniotic sac, and if your dog doesn’t break this thin membrane herself, you must remove it to enable the puppy to breathe. Similarly, if she doesn’t break the puppy’s umbilical cord, you can assist by tying a thread around the cord before cutting between the knot and placenta. Your dog will also lick and clean the puppies, but if she ignores them, you can rub them gently with a clean towel to dry them off and stimulate their breathing.
Make sure the puppies are warm and dry and receive some of the dog’s first milk within 24 hours. It’s a good idea to take your dog and her puppies to the veterinarian 5-6 hours after the birth for a check-up to ensure the whole litter and placentas have been delivered safely and all dogs are in good health.
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