If you are new to dog breeding, you must be wondering how long does a dog stay pregnant. Dog’s reproductive cycle is different from women’s. A breeding dog is a very big responsibility and you must be fully aware of dog pregnancy and delivery. In today’s post, I will reveal how long does a dog stay pregnant for. Dog pregnancies can be confusing and stressful even if you are familiar with your breed’s health. Here, I’ve included a few tips to take care of your pregnant dog. You can keep on reading to know more about how long does a dog stay pregnant in detail.
How Long Does A Dog Stay Pregnant?
To welcome new puppies into the world, you must be aware of how long does a dog stay pregnant. Dogs are usually pregnant for 62 to 64 days. However, predicting the exact delivery time can be difficult as the date of breeding does not always match the date of conception. In fact, the total length of pregnancy can also vary depending on the breed and litter size.
Now, you must be wondering how long does a dog stay pregnant months. The normal pregnancy period in dogs is approximately two months. Even if dogs’ pregnancy time is shorter than humans, dogs have three trimesters and each one lasts about 21 days. Do you know how much time does a dog stay pregnant in weeks? Pregnancy in dogs is about 9 weeks in total.
Many people among us do not know how long does a small dog stay pregnant. A small dog can stay pregnant from 57 to 65 days with an average of 63 days. After being mated, make sure your dog does not mate with any other dogs.
However, the Shih Tzu’s pregnancy is very similar to any other dog bread. But you must also be aware of how long does a Shih Tzu dog stay pregnant. The gestation period in Shih Tzu is also 63 days approximately from conception. Remember that the act of mating itself is not an exact measurement of gestation. This is because sperms can live for several days inside the female and eggs can remain fertile for up to 48 hours.
When it comes to how long does a dog stay pregnant before having puppies, the answer is the same (63 days).
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How To Determine If Your Dog Is Pregnant?
Just like humans, dogs don’t have the option to pick up a pregnancy test kit! You can rely on the following methods to determine if your dog is pregnant and how long does a dog stay pregnant.
- Palpation: You can ask your vet to perform abdominal palpation starting at approximately the 28-30 day mark.
- Ultrasound: Your vet can also perform a blood test to measure the dog’s hormone levels to see if she is producing relaxin. Relaxin hormone is only produced during pregnancy.
- X-Ray: One of the most popular ways to determine if your dog is pregnant is through X-rays. X-ray is usually done at 55 days or more.
Instead of diagnostic testing, you can also determine whether a dog is pregnant by closely observing your pet dog.
Dog Pregnancy Symptoms Week By Week
Diagnostic testing is one of the best way to confirm whether your pet dog is pregnant. Whereas you could also watch out for the pregnancy signs. To learn how long does a dog stay pregnant, let us first check out dog pregnancy symptoms week 1.
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Week 1 and 2
In the 1st two weeks, most dogs don’t show any pregnancy symptoms. You’ll notice their weight is still stable but they may start experiencing morning sickness.
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Week 3:
In the 3rd week, the dog’s appetite increases. 3-week pregnant dog nipples become slightly enlarged. They may also start showing affectionate behaviour.
Keep on reading to know dog pregnancy week 4 symptoms.
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Week 4:
In the 4th week, the dog’s physical activity decreases and they might have a clear vaginal discharge. You must take your dog to the vet for an ultrasound. The skeleton and the coat of the foetus are formed by the day 45.
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Week 5:
In the 5th week, the dog’s weight gain becomes more noticeable and also there is increased in urination. During this time, you may start noticing behavioural changes.
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Week 6:
In the 6th week, the dog’s abdomen becomes enlarged and firm and there is visible puppy movement. Some dogs may experience a loss of appetite, so make sure you start giving them smaller meals throughout the day.
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Week 7:
The appetite loss continues even in the 7th week. In fact, her waist will become slimmer as the puppies make their way to the birth canal.
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Week 8:
In the 8th week, your pregnant dog will start lactating as the foetal development should be completed.
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Week 9:
Finally, the dog is ready to give birth and will feel restless & more irritated than normal. But before labour begins, they may experience a drop in body temperature.
Caring For Pregnant Dogs
Now, I hope you’ve understood how long does a dog stay pregnant. But do you know what to do when your dog is pregnant for the first time? You can consider the following aftercare tips for pregnant dogs.
Proper Nutrition
One of the most important things you have to do for your pregnant dog is to provide her with proper nutrition. You can increase her food intake gradually until she consumes 35-50% more than usual.
Exercise
Limit vigorous exercise during the first two weeks of pregnancy to enhance the implantation of the embryos. After a while, normal exercise is fine until your dog’s belly is enlarged. We recommend you take your dog for shorter and more frequent walks.
Regularly Visiting Vet
You must take your pregnant do to the vet to ensure they are healthy during gestation. Avoid giving your dog any over-the-counter dewormers as this could be harmful to her and the puppies.
Give Her Comfortable Nesting Place
When your god reaches towards the end of her pregnancy, make a comfortable, warm place for her to nest. You even have to make sure there is enough space for your dog to come and go as she wish.
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FAQ
Can A Dog Be Pregnant For 3 Months?
Dogs pass through the stages of pregnancy quickly. Gestation periods are comparatively short in dogs, which means that the pups develop rapidly inside the womb over a period of two-to-three months.
How Long After Mating Can You Tell A Dog Is Pregnant?
A blood test can be performed from 28 days after the mating to confirm the pregnancy. It is possible for this result to be falsely negative if the test is performed too early in the pregnancy. It is helpful to keep a note of the dates that your bitch is mated. Alternatively, an ultrasound examination can be performed.
What Are The 3 Stages Of Dog Pregnancy?
Experienced breeders are familiar with the stages of a dog’s pregnancy. It starts with the dog going into heat, or estrus, followed by the mating between the future dam and sire. Once impregnated, the gestation typically lasts nine weeks before delivery. Whelping is the term for the dog giving birth to her new puppies.
What Is The Longest Time A Dog Can Be Pregnant?
A typical canine pregnancy lasts for 63 days but some variation is normal. It’s recommended to call your vet if your pet is pregnant for longer than 63 days, just to be safe. There are a few problems that may arise during labor, the most common being dystocia, or failure to progress.
Do You Have To Tie Off Puppy Umbilical Cord?
If the afterbirth is still intact, hold the umbilical cord between your finger and thumb with the puppy resting in the palm of your hand and cut the cord with a pair of scissors approximately an inch from the puppy. Holding it for a few seconds will usually stop any bleeding. Otherwise tie it with clean thread.
Is It OK For A 1 Year Old Dog To Get Pregnant?
Is it bad for a 1-year-old dog to have puppies? Most dogs reach puberty and become fertile when they are six months old, although they shouldn’t have puppies until they are fully grown. Small breeds reach adulthood when they are one year old and can safely have puppies if they are done growing.
Conclusion
In the above post, I’ve discussed everything about how long does a dog stay pregnant in detail. A dog pregnancy is also called the gestation period. This period normally ranges from 62 to 64 days. While planning breeding, you should note down the exact date of mating. During their pregnancy period, dogs may vomit and have a decrease in appetite for a couple of days. To get confirmation about her pregnancy and health condition, take your dog to the vet for a checkup. Once you know how long does a dog stay pregnant, you can give your dog a safe and healthy pregnancy.