How can I tell if my dog is pregnant?

Whether you had your dog bred or the neighbor’s dog wandered into your yard, you either have doubts or strong suspicions that your dog is pregnant. If the physical signs aren’t obvious in the early days, how can you tell if your dog is expecting puppies, and more importantly, how should you care for her during the two months of her pregnancy? You’ll find all the answers to your questions below:

Everything You Need to Know About Pregnant Dogs and Their Nutrition During Pregnancy and Lactation

How to Tell if Your Dog Is Pregnant: The First Signs of Pregnancy in Dogs

You have only doubts, and no certainty. While a dog’s gestation period is relatively short—between 60 and 70 days—the first visible signs don’t appear until about a month in. That is, halfway through the pregnancy, and just one month before the due date. Fortunately, I have ways to tell if my dog is pregnant. Here are the four methods, in chronological order:

1. Between the 21st and 35th day, palpation is performed. This must be done gently in order to feel the fetuses. Starting on the 25th day, the heartbeat can be heard with a stethoscope, and after the 35th day, it is impossible to distinguish the babies by touch (the mother’s abdomen is too tight).
2. Between the 25th and 35th day, you can have an ultrasound done at your veterinarian's office.
3. It is possible to have an X-rayafter the 45th day, as the bones do not form until then, in order to determine the number of skeletons—and thus the number of babies—but keep in mind that X-rays are harmful to the babies.
4. The final method is a blood test for relaxin, since this hormone is only secreted during pregnancy.

While the signs of pregnancy may be subtle in female dogs, there are a few physical clues that can confirm pregnancy if you have been unable or unwilling to perform any of the previous tests:

1. A whitish discharge may occur one month after mating.
2. Breast swelling.
3. Abdominal bloating around the eighth week.
4. Loss of appetite at the end of the first month.
5. Weight gain (between 25% and 50%).
6. Significant fatigue.

How should I feed a pregnant or nursing dog?

You have confirmation that your female dog is expecting puppies. From now on, it’s your responsibility to care for your pet throughout her pregnancy. You’ll need to adjust her diet, generally starting in the second month and continuing through the remaining weeks of gestation, as well as during the few weeks of lactation until the puppies are weaned. As mentioned earlier, your dog may experience periods of loss of appetite, such as at the end of the first month or toward the end of her pregnancy. However, this is nothing to worry about, as there arefoods on the marketspecifically designed for these periods of pregnancy and lactation.

Special high-protein, highly digestible kibble for pregnant and nursing dogs:

• • The further along the pregnancy progresses, the more the mother will need to eat to nourish her growing puppies. While her nutritional needs increase, the space in her stomach actually decreases. She won’t be able to eat as much as she did before she became pregnant. Special kibble will provide her and her future puppies with the necessary nutrients.

• • Feed your dog high-energy kibble. Its composition is similar to that of puppy food, so puppies can safely eat from their mother’s bowl.

Find all our special pregnancy and lactation kibble recipes in the Manufacturer's Store:  

Lactating dog

Puppy Kibble

How to care for your pregnant dog?

While the vast majority of pregnancies proceed without complications, it’s important to remain vigilant and ensure that everything is going smoothly for your dog. Your veterinarian is, of course, best qualified to diagnose the following conditions.

1. Only Puppy Syndrome

   In the case of a single-puppy litter, hormone levels may be insufficient and the labor-inducing signals may not be strong enough. The puppy may then die in the womb. To prevent this and also avoid an infection in the mother, it is necessary to induce labor at full term.

2. Late-pregnancy eclampsia

   Eclampsia is caused by a drop in the body’s calcium levels. It tends to affect small-breed dogs or those that are producing a lot of milk. Symptoms include excessive drooling and a rapid gait accompanied by stiffness and pain. Keep a close eye on your dog during the last two weeks to prevent this condition.

3. Hypoglycemia and late-pregnancy toxemia

   Excessive exhaustion is more common in small-breed bitches carrying a large litter. This can lead to coma or even death. Urine or blood tests can help diagnose the condition.

4. Gestational diabetes in dogs

   Your dog is drinking a lot and seems extremely tired. Her blood sugar level is too high. Your veterinarian will be able to treat her.

Your dog's delivery

About ten days before the puppies arrive, you can start preparing the space for your dog. Choose a quiet room, away from high-traffic areas, and make sure it’s well-heated (22–25°C). Set up a crate lined with newspapers covered in clean rags.

Also have disposable gloves (for yourself) and gauze pads on hand in case you need to step in.

Between 12 and 36 hours before giving birth, your dog will let you know that the puppies are about to arrive by pacing, panting, or moving around. She will also try to distance herself from you. In this case, guide her to her whelping box and leave her alone. Just stay alert so you can intervene if an emergency arises.

The article "How Can I Tell If My Dog Is Pregnant?" from the Alleva Vet Blog first appeared on Alleva Dog and Cat Food Alleva Diusapet.fr.