10 Tips for Caring for a Pregnant Dog

Tips for Caring for a Pregnant Dog: Caring for a pregnant dog is a rewarding experience, but it also requires knowledge, preparation, and attentiveness. From recognizing the early signs of pregnancy to ensuring a safe delivery, your role is to support her physical and emotional health throughout the journey.

Whether you’re working with a veterinarian or managing things at home, these 10 essential tips will guide you every step of the way.

Understanding Canine Pregnancy

A dog’s pregnancy, also known as the gestation period, typically lasts 58 to 68 days—about nine weeks. While the process might seem short, a lot happens in that time. Puppies develop quickly, and your dog will go through major hormonal, physical, and behavioral changes.

1. Confirm the Pregnancy with a Vet

The first and most important step is to confirm your dog’s pregnancy. Signs may include:

• Decreased appetite (in early weeks)
• Enlarged nipples
• Behavioral changes (clinginess or restlessness)
• Slight weight gain or abdominal swelling

Your veterinarian may use:

• Palpation (around days 28–30)
• Ultrasound (from day 25)
• X-ray (after day 45 to count puppies)

Early confirmation ensures you can start supportive care promptly.

2. Provide Proper Nutrition

Nutritional needs change dramatically during pregnancy. In early weeks, avoid overfeeding—most dogs don’t need extra calories until the second half of pregnancy (around week 5).

From week 5 onward:

• Switch to a high-quality puppy food rich in protein and calories.
• Feed smaller, more frequent meals as her abdomen expands.
• Avoid supplements unless prescribed—too much calcium can cause eclampsia.

Hydration is also key. Ensure she has constant access to fresh, clean water.

3. Limit Intense Physical Activity

In early pregnancy, normal activity is fine. But once she’s confirmed pregnant:

• Avoid strenuous play, jumping, or long runs.
• Keep walks short and on-leash to prevent accidents or overexertion.
• From week 7 onward, reduce physical activity further as she prepares to nest.

Gentle walks remain important to prevent muscle loss and boredom.

4. Keep Vaccinations and Parasite Control Updated (Safely)

Ideally, your dog should be fully vaccinated before breeding, but if she becomes pregnant unexpectedly:

• Avoid live vaccines during pregnancy.
• Discuss deworming and flea/tick control with your vet—some medications are safe, others are not.

Intestinal parasites can be passed to puppies, so deworming (with safe medication like fenbendazole) may be recommended after week 6.

5. Prepare a Whelping Area

Around week 7 or 8, your dog will begin nesting. Provide a calm, private, and warm place where she can deliver and care for her puppies:

• Choose a whelping box that’s easy to clean, enclosed, and low enough for her to enter/exit.
• Line it with soft blankets or towels.
• Keep the area quiet and away from busy parts of the home.

Introduce her to the space early so she feels secure and familiar.

6. Monitor for Warning Signs

Watch for symptoms that could indicate complications:

• Discharge that is green, black, or foul-smelling
• Vomiting, diarrhea, or severe lethargy
• Painful abdomen or labored breathing

These signs may point to infection, premature labor, or miscarriage and require immediate veterinary attention.

Keep track of her weight, appetite, and behavior daily in the last two weeks.

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7. Understand the Stages of Labor

Labor in dogs occurs in three stages:

Stage 1 (6–12 hours):

• Nesting
• Shivering
• Refusal to eat
• Restlessness

Stage 2 (up to 24 hours):

• Active labor and delivery
• Each puppy is born 30–60 minutes apart

Stage 3:

• Passing the placenta

You should contact your vet if:

• She strains for over an hour without delivering
• Over 2 hours pass between puppies
• A puppy seems stuck in the birth canal

8. Know When to Intervene and When to Let Her Be

Most dogs handle delivery on their own. You can help by:

• Keeping the space clean
• Replacing soiled towels
• Offering water between deliveries

However, don’t interfere unless necessary. If a puppy isn’t moving or breathing, gently rub it with a clean towel to stimulate breathing.

Have your vet on standby, especially if this is her first litter.

9. Support Postpartum Recovery

After delivery:

• Allow her to rest and bond with her puppies
• Keep the whelping area clean and warm (around 85°F for the first week, then reduce gradually)
• Monitor her nipples and mammary glands for infection (mastitis)

She should eat well and nurse frequently. Offer puppy food and plenty of water—lactation requires more calories than pregnancy.

10. Schedule a Postpartum Vet Visit

Around 24–48 hours after whelping, take her and the puppies for a vet check-up to:

• Ensure all placentas passed
• Check for retained puppies
• Address any infections or complications
• Verify puppy health and development

If spaying is your plan after one litter, your vet can advise on ideal timing (often after weaning).

FAQs

Can I tell if my dog is pregnant without a vet?

Some signs (enlarged nipples, behavior changes) suggest pregnancy, but a vet visit with palpation or ultrasound is the only reliable way to confirm.

Is it safe to bathe my pregnant dog?

Yes, gentle bathing is fine. Use lukewarm water and mild shampoo. Avoid heavy lifting or slippery surfaces, especially in later weeks.

Can pregnant dogs be around other dogs or cats?

It depends. Limit interaction with unfamiliar or aggressive animals. Keep her stress-free and avoid possible infections.

How many puppies will my dog have?

Litter size depends on breed, size, and genetics. Small breeds average 1–4 puppies; large breeds can have 8–12. X-rays after day 45 can confirm the number.

How do I know if something is wrong during labor?

Watch for:

• Excessive straining without delivery
• Green discharge before the first puppy
• Weakness or collapse
  Call your vet immediately if you see any of these.

Should I cut the umbilical cord?

Most mothers do it themselves. If she doesn’t, tie it with clean dental floss 1–2 inches from the puppy’s body and cut with sterile scissors.

How can I support her emotionally?

Be calm and gentle. Offer comfort but don’t smother her. Respect her space, especially during labor and bonding.

When can I start weaning the puppies?

Begin introducing soft puppy food at 3–4 weeks. Fully wean by 6–8 weeks. The mother will naturally begin reducing nursing sessions.

How do I know she’s finished delivering all puppies?

When:

• She stops contracting
• Appears calm and begins nursing
• Passes all placentas
  X-rays can confirm whether any puppies remain if unsure.

Is it safe to spay a dog after she’s had puppies?

Yes. Most vets recommend waiting until 2–3 months post-delivery, once the uterus returns to normal and she’s fully recovered.