If you're a dog breeder or your female dog has been mated, then you may now be anxiously awaiting confirmation that she's pregnant. You may also be wondering about the signs of pregnancy in dogs so you know what to look out for.

Dog pregnancy symptoms week by week are listed below to help you feel comfortable, confident and prepared for the birth and the stages of pregnancy that come before.

How Long Are Dogs Pregnant?

A dog's gestation period (pregnancy) usually lasts for 9 weeks or 63 days, but this can vary from 58-72 days from their breeding date. Dog pregnancy signs can be subtle, and dog pregnancy symptoms can vary week by week. Check out the weeks of pregnancy in dogs below and what to look out for.

Dog Pregnancy Symptoms Week 1

The early stages of pregnancy in dogs can be very hard to spot. It may be that your bitch seems her usual self in this first week. Some may show signs of nausea – similar to morning sickness in people – and may be a bit quieter than normal.

Dog Pregnancy Symptoms Week 2

In this second week, feeling sick may still be an issue for some bitches. The embryos continue to grow and are moved into the uterus (womb) from the fallopian tubes in preparation for the next stage.

Dog Pregnancy Symptoms Week 3

In the third week of pregnancy, the embryos are implanted into the wall of the uterus. The embryos are less than 1cm long.

It's unlikely your dog will be showing many signs of pregnancy at this stage, but she may be a little hungrier than usual. It shouldn't be necessary to increase her feed just yet, though.

Dog Pregnancy Symptoms Week 4

Between days 25 and 30 of pregnancy is a good time for your vet to examine your bitch to make sure everything is going as planned.

At this stage, they may be able to feel the developing puppies in the uterus. However, this isn't always possible. Palpation alone isn't really an accurate way to confirm pregnancy, stage the pregnancy, identify how many puppies are present or assess whether they are healthy. This needs to be done by an ultrasound scan.

Your bitch's mammary glands (teats, nipples, breasts) may start to swell this week, and sometimes, there is a clear discharge from the vagina.

Dog Pregnancy Symptoms Week 5

In the fifth week of pregnancy, you may start to notice your dog's tummy swelling, and at this point, she'll probably start to gain some weight. This week is a good time for your vet to ultrasound scan your dog for pregnancy testing.

Ultrasonography can help confirm that your bitch is, in fact, pregnant and check if the puppies have heartbeats present. A skilled ultrasonographer may be able to give an idea of the number of puppies, but it's hard to accurately predict the number of pups with ultrasonography alone. Your veterinary ultrasonographer can take measurements to determine foetal age and predict a possible due date.

You'll need to increase your dog's food intake this week. Your vet can help you work out how much and advise which diet is best for your dog.

Dog Pregnancy Symptoms Week 6

By week 6, some dogs have a reduced appetite because their tummy is full of pups, so eating large meals may be challenging. It's important to ensure your bitch has enough energy at this time, as her growing puppies are developing fast and drawing on her energy reserves.

Speak to your vet about appropriate high-energy foods to feed her to allow her to take in enough energy at a volume she can cope with. You may need to offer your expectant pooch a few smaller meals throughout the day rather than 2 large meals.

It's a good idea to prepare the whelping box this week – just in case the pups arrive earlier than anticipated.

Dog Pregnancy Symptoms Week 7

In the seventh week, you may notice your bitch's teats swelling in the last week of pregnancy, and sometimes milk may drip from them.

It's worth having some special dog milk formula on hand for after the birth, just in case any pups need to be supplemented with milk. Your vet can advise you on the best puppy formula to use.

You may also notice that your bitch loses some hair from her tummy this week – this is normal and nothing to worry about.

Dog Pregnancy Symptoms Week 8

In the eighth week, you may notice your bitch starts "nesting". She'll appreciate having a private, warm and cosy place to prepare herself for the birth.

If you want to accurately predict the size of your bitch's litter, your vet can take some tummy X-rays during the last 2 weeks of pregnancy. This will determine how many pups there are in the litter that your bitch is carrying.

Dog Pregnancy Symptoms Week 9

During the ninth week of pregnancy, you may be able to feel or even see the puppies moving in your dog's tummy. It's sensible to take your bitches rectal temperature 2 to 3 times a day during this last week of pregnancy.

Rectal temperature typically drops by 1°C within 48 hours of whelping, so this can be a helpful indicator of when the stages of dog labour may start.

Not all dogs will tolerate having their temperatures taken, so only do this if your bitch is unphased by it. It's more important that she feels relaxed and safe.

Care Through the Symptoms of Dog Pregnancy

Your dog's body will go through many important changes during her pregnancy as she grows her pups, her birth canal prepares for the birth and she prepares to feed her pups after the birth.

Some of these changes will be obvious, but many will be much more subtle. Hopefully, this article helps you to spot the signs of pregnancy in your bitch.

If you're not sure if things are progressing as they should, your vet should be your first point of call.

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Content provided from Vetstream's Vetlexicon Canis – www.vetlexicon.com/canis

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